Director - Strategy, Advocacy & Learning

Job Title: Director – Strategy, Advocacy and Learning

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Terms: Full-time, permanent contract at executive level (GBF10); Dublin 2, Ireland.

Salary: €101,635 - €109,792

Location: Concern Worldwide Head Office, Camden Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Requirements: Willingness and ability to travel to any of Concern existing or potential country programmes as deemed necessary.

About Concern:

Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression. Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on ambition to reach the furthest behind first. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and is enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:

The SAL Director will lead and manage the SAL Directorate to ensure that the team is equipped to deliver the ambition and priorities outlined in the organisational strategic plan. The director will contribute to developing and delivering on the strategic direction of the organisation, and the achievement of the highest standard of programme quality. The director will provide leadership, coordination and direction for organisational advocacy work, global citizenship education and campaigns, and to the promotion of a culture and programme of organisational learning.

Responsibilities:

1. Technical Assistance
2. Take a lead role in the formulation and finalisation of organisational Policy Statements and strategic plans.
3. Support Board committees as required and ensure Board briefings and reports are prepared and presented to a high standard.
4. Support the Head of Technical Assistance to ensure that the Technical Assistance team is adequately resourced and supported to deliver high quality technical support, guidance and capacity development to enhance programme impact.
5. Support the Head of Technical Assistance to revise, develop and roll out a set of programme policies and strategies which support the design and implementation of effective programmes in line with the organisational strategic plan.
6. Work with the Head of Technical Assistance to ensure that technical advisers develop and maintain strategic engagement with relevant global networks such as the global clusters that seek to ensure clear and effective leadership, predictability, and accountability.
7. Collaborate with and support the senior managers of both the International Programmes and the Emergency Directorate to ensure coherent and practical support to country teams to deliver high quality programmes in a manner consistent with the organisational strategic plan.
8. Support the Head of Technical Assistance to promote a culture and programme of innovation and develop appropriate mechanisms to capture and communicate learning across Concern.
9. Strengthen Concern’s engagement in relevant policy debates, contributing organisational research and evidence to informing good policy and practice.
10. Advocacy
11. Direct and coordinate the strategic advocacy work of the organisation.
12. Support the Head of International Advocacy to ensure the team is adequately resourced and supported to deliver impactful and high-quality advocacy initiatives.
13. Promote effective collaboration across key directorates to strengthen Concern’s influencing impact in policy and communications.
14. Provide direction and guidance to the CEO and other senior managers on external advocacy engagement and representation.
15. Oversee the development and strategic utilisation of high-quality reports and policy positions drawn from Concern’s research and programme implementation.
16. Represent the organisation as required in external meetings and policy events.
17. Global Citizenship and Campaigns
18. Direct and support Concern’s work in Global Citizenship Education and campaigns.
19. Support the Head of Global Citizenship and Campaigns to ensure the team is adequately resourced to deliver the Global Citizenship programme and engage in external representation and campaigning in Ireland.
20. Provide strategic guidance to the programme managers to deliver the current strategy, influence policy and contribute to sectoral learning.
21. Monitoring and Evaluation
22. Establish and lead processes for evaluating the impact of the activities of the SAL team, using data-driven approaches to improve effectiveness and achieve organisational goals.
23. Senior Management Team (SMT)
24. Engage effectively as a member of the SMT by contributing to the development of the organisation’s overall strategic direction and decision-making processes.
25. Uphold and promote Concern's values of equality, diversity, inclusion, accountability, and safeguarding in all communications, branding and digital marketing activities, and role model a positive safeguarding ethos.
26. Act as a global representative of Concern at international fora, conferences, and with high-profile stakeholders, showcasing the organisation's work and strengthening its influence.
27. Work closely with the CEO and other senior managers to develop and manage key strategic relationships and external representation to strengthen Concern’s brand and influence projects.
28. Promote staff well-being through supportive leadership and work to promote a positive and inclusive culture in the organisation.
29. All managers are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.

Role holder Requirements:

1. Significant proven and demonstrable experience of working in an overseas context, preferably with experience of both development and humanitarian contexts, or in contexts of protracted or complex crises.
2. At least five years’ experience at a senior management level in an overseas humanitarian context.
3. Significant proven and demonstrable experience in delivering technical assistance and a strong understanding of key issues related to the role of technical assistance, especially in fragile and conflict affected contexts.
4. Demonstrated ability to build consensus and work across teams to deliver shared goals and objectives.
5. Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse multi-disciplinary team and make sound management decisions and work in a participatory manner with colleagues.
6. Demonstrated ability to lead and direct high-quality research to underpin organisational advocacy positions.
7. Ability to identify and build relationships with key political, policy, and civil society actors nationally and internationally.
8. Excellent organisational and planning skills, ability to prioritise a diverse and heavy workload, and meet strict deadlines.
9. Empathy with Concern’s ethos, values, strategy, and longer-term objectives.

To apply: CVs should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by the closing date.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a visual impairment or are neurodivergent - please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

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