Executive Director - CHS International Alliance

The Boards of HAP and People In Aid have decided to merge, creating the CHS International Alliance.

We are now looking to appoint an Executive Director who will lead this new organisation from its inception into the future.

The new alliance will aim, through its mission, to ensure respect for the rights and dignity of communities and people affected by crisis and enhance the effectiveness and impact of humanitarian action by building a culture of quality and accountability.

Key Responsibilities of the role

The ambition of the new organisation requires a strong, visionary leader, with a passion for quality and accountability in the Humanitarian endeavour, whose main focus will be promoting and advocating for the uptake and development of the Core Humanitarian Standard, and quality people management. Reporting to a Board of Trustees drawn from the CHS Alliance's membership, the Executive Director will lead a small staff team in Geneva and London to:

Guide and inform the Board of Trustees in setting the direction for the organisation; provide assurance around organisational risks and mitigation, with particular regard to financial stewardship; actively seek and respond to challenge from the Board; and mobilise board members to generate support for the organisation.
Stay abreast of emerging trends in the volatile context of Humanitarian action and development activities and provide strategic thought leadership to the Humanitarian and Development sector, influencing Global leaders across NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, and UN institutions; and stay abreast of emerging issues .
Work with diverse stakeholders to shape the future direction of quality and accountability mechanisms and excellence in people management practices, especially in the context of Humanitarian Response; and ensure complementarity and alignment between the CHS and the IASC Transformative Agenda and the Humanitarian Programme cycle.
Act as global representative and advocate for the CHS International Alliance, actively seeking opportunities to explain and promote its mission and mandate and to build its reputation, influence and credibility amongst current and new supporters.
Foster excellent member relationships through regular dialogue and personal contact, monitor the strategic needs of members and oversee the development of services and products that will enable them to build capacity to meet the requirements of the CHS and related standards.
Cultivate and proactively manage a network of institutional and private donors, potential donors, government stakeholders and other influential supporters in order to create a regular and sustainable funding stream for the organisation.
Build, lead and inspire a strong and diverse staff team to ensure the effective delivery of strategy and plans; and build their capacity and capability as a recognised global centre of excellence for quality, accountability and excellence in people management for the Humanitarian sector.
Work with the Board to explore and realise the aspiration to move the CHS headquarters to the Global South.
To be successful in this role, you will:

Have at least a Master's degree in a relevant discipline, with substantial senior management experience in a complex international organisation including management of a multi-disciplinary team across more than one location.
Have significant senior management experience of the Humanitarian and Development sector, having worked in or with NGOs (national and international); the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement; and UN institutions, with proven expertise and knowledge of Humanitarian principles, action and advocacy.
Be committed to and have an in-depth knowledge/experience of excellence in people management and the centrality of this concept in the context of Humanitarian action.
Have proven leadership and influencing skills, with the vision and ambition to build a wholly new organisation that will rapidly become the lead player in supporting organisations in the adoption of the Core Humanitarian Standard.
Be fluent in English; with a proficiency in Spanish, French or Arabic desirable.
Be a strategic leader and thinker with demonstrated ability to design and execute global strategy with a focus on growth and impact
Have excellent relationship development and management skills and ability to work with a wide variety of partners in the Global South as well as the Global North
Be willing to travel internationally up to 12 weeks per year, including to Humanitarian emergencies
Our offer

This position will be based in Geneva; however flexible arrangements could be considered for the right candidate, provided he/she can spend a substantial amount of time in Geneva. The initial employment contract will be for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal. Salary and benefits will be competitive.

Application information

This recruitment process is being managed by Save the Children International on behalf of HAP and People in Aid. Once you have applied through the Save the Children system your information will be shared with the selection committee formed of members of the HAP and People in Aid Boards.

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information as a single document: cover letter, curriculum vitae, names and contact details (telephone, fax, and e-mail addresses) of three professional referees who are familiar with your qualifications and work experience.

This position will close on 1st April 2015 and shortlisted candidates contacted no later than 6th April 2015. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

A 2 stage process is anticipated to secure the right candidate, which will involve:

An initial Skype interview week commencing 6th April 2015 and if successful;
A face-to-face interview in London on either 14th or 17th April 2015 - please include in your cover letter if either of this dates is a particular preference