Head of disaster resilience and response
This job posting has closed
Background
Plan is a global children's charity that works with children in the world's poorest countries to help them build a better future. A future you would want for all children, your family and friends. For over 70 years Plan has been taking action and standing up for every child's right to fulfil their potential by, for example,
- giving children a healthy start in life, including access to safe drinking water
- securing the education of girls and boys
- working with communities to prepare for and survive disasters
- inspiring children to take a lead in decisions that affect their lives
- enabling families to earn a living and plan for their children's future
Plan does what's needed, where it's needed most. Plan does what you would do. With your support children, families and entire communities have the power to move themselves from a life of poverty to a future with opportunity.
The Head of Disaster Resilience and Response post is based in the Programmes Department.
Job Description
Job Purpose
The post holder will lead the DRMU towards becoming a recognised centre of excellence within the Plan network whilst building the reputation as an effective humanitarian response partner within the UK sector and particularly within the DEC where you will be required to represent Plan UK at the highest level, deputising for the CEO where necessary. This will involve driving and guiding the unit toward increased growth, enhanced quality of the programmes and uniform and reliable delivery mechanisms at field level.
The role requires a full understanding and knowledge of the current humanitarian international architecture and policy debates and proven ability to formulate, represent and influence policy. This will be demonstrated by the post holder's ability to convert opportunities into programme realities whilst developing and leveraging out particular expertise within the humanitarian sector. There is considerable scope for the right person to develop the role and the Unit in the next few years.
In addition the role will need to effectively communicate and predict directions and trends to inform, guide, influence strategy and operational delivery within Plan UK and across Plan's global network.
Specifically the tasks will include:
- Manage Plan UK's relationships with the field delivery arms in country and with the International Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Response teams to ensure high standards of delivery and constructive dialogue
- Ensure that the CEO and SMT have timely information and advice on emerging issues in disaster management
- Assure that Plan UK's response and spend on disasters meets international standards (SPHERE, HAP, DECAF)
- Effectively oversee & direct Plan UK's programme delivery and achievement of income targets
- Formulate all areas of humanitarian strategy whilst ensuring cross unit/departments collaboration ensuring Plan UK's overall strategic objectives are met including building Plan's profile and reputation
- Work alongside the programme director to provide direct support to the CEO as a trustee of the DEC providing briefing, real-time reports and guidance on programme opportunities and critical data for reporting purposes
- Ensure technical support is developed to enable the mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), education, child protection, sexual reproductive health and rights within the disaster risk portfolio working with the programme support unit and other heads to set and achieve high standards for programme design and delivery
- Lead, motivate and support your managers and the wider team to meet stretching income targets whilst ensuring projects are delivered on time, to budget and to the high possible standards
- Work effectively within complex organisational structures where your knowledge, experience, negotiation and influencing skills will support your team's success
- Lead on ensuring Plan is well represented and influential within appropriate networks both in the UK and Europe
- As a member of the Plan UK Heads Team contribute to the strategy and overall management of Plan UK
The role requires the post holder to be able to travel extensively (approximately 40-50% of their time) and sometimes for extended periods when necessary.
Department Purpose
The Programmes department supports Plan's global programme by:
- Ensuring Plan UK has a coherent, relevant and innovative programme from which we learn, share and promote change to realise Plan's mission and promote awareness of Plan's work
- Providing technical support and thought leadership to all Plan UK departments and contribute to Plan's global technical capability
- Collaboration in the design, development and submission of and reporting against grants awarded by institutional donors
- Providing resources to support Country Office resource mobilisation and strategic plans
- Managing strategic grants secured by Plan UK on behalf of the global organisation
- Monitoring Plan UK's programme portfolio and sharing learning, support the development of policy and advocacy positions, contributing towards publications and representing Plan's programmes work to a range of audiences to promote awareness of Plan's mission
- Providing a technical, grants' pipeline and management support function to Country and Regional offices' humanitarian response teams aiming to become known as a centre of excellence across the Plan network
Plan UK's new four year Programme Strategy will enable the organisation to develop its expertise and programme quality through the expansion of a team of thematic specialists who will inform, guide and lead the department and organisation in their respective areas. Plan UK is developing a flagship cross-disciplinary programme in 17 countries called “Building Skills for Life”, focused on empowering adolescent girls. Plan's focus on adolescent girls is also reflected in its global campaign – “Because I Am a Girl”. This focus will inform the development of disaster management practice in Plan.
Plan UK is part of a global federated structure which provides a complex work environment requiring the highest standards of communication, collaboration, political and professional maturity.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
- Establish Plan's profile within the UK and Europe as an effective humanitarian response partner
- Establish Plan UK's humanitarian team as a centre of excellence within the Plan network
- Responsible for developing and implementing the unit's strategy ensuring alignment with Plan UK's and global strategic priorities
- Lead Plan UK's input to global strategy related to humanitarian work ensuring UK's voice and experience is effectively heard and translated into policy and operational planning and delivery
- Lead Plan UK's disaster programme response during DEC joint period of action taking responsibility for planning, coordinating between International Headquarters, Regional and country staff
- Provide support and guidance to all Plan staff in relation to staff security policy and training specifically related to deployment during and humanitarian response or to fragile and insecure environments
Management
- Manage the development and implementation of all DEC procedures during DEC appeals
- Manage and guide the work of thematic advisers within the Unit
- Assess and monitor programmes and evaluate impact
- Participate as an active member of the department's management team
- Ensure the unit is managed in accordance with Plan UK HR policies
- Development and manage the units and income and expenditure budgets monitoring on a monthly basis
- Oversee the effective identification, pursuit and conversion of new funding opportunities
- Oversee the effective diversification of income streams
- Oversee the development of the units grant pipeline ensuring staff providing leadership and guidance to the grants team
- Ensure the effective administration of all Unit records and data through adherence and regular use of Plan UK's CRM system
- Receive and provide regular detailed reports to ensure effective management oversight of performance against key performance indicators
- Oversee the timely deployment of unit and other UK staff to the field as part Plan's global "go team" or independently to support needs of the country office
- Be responsible for the security of unit staff whilst on field based missions ensuring they are prepared and have the training, knowledge and confidence to deal with difficult and complex situations
- Administer Plan UK's Disaster Management Fund
External Relationships
- Lead on all humanitarian related external representation and deputising for the Programme Director and/or the CEO as necessary
- Take responsibility for ensuring timely, accurate briefings are available for press and media related work in partnership with the Communications Team
- Be the spokesperson for Plan UK in relation to press and media
Cross-departmental responsibilities
- Ensure the Unit is appropriately represented with cross departmental groups Chair Plan UK's Cross-departmental Disasters & DEC Group
- Ensure the unit supports the development of appeals and proposals to supporters, Island donors and other major and corporate donors
- In collaboration with Advocacy, Communications and Campaigns lead on all humanitarian/disaster management policy work, including working on briefings and position papers, commissioning research, and responses to policy consultations
- Support the work of other teams in media, policy, campaigning, advocacy, fundraising and capacity building where their work relates to humanitarian issues
Relationship with Plan International
- Lead on the positive and productive relationships between Plan UK's humanitarian work with International headquarters and the Regional and Country office teams
- Work collaboratively with Plan's global humanitarian director contributing towards global strategy development and delivery
- Contribute towards the formulation and realisation of policies, procedures and corporate emergency preparedness systems
- Develop and facilitate Plan UK's humanitarian surge capacity
- Oversee and coordinate with other managers and heads Plan UK's members of the international Go Team
- Be available to rapidly deploy to the field as and when necessary in support of country or regional capacity needs in time of emergency
- Be willing and able to undertake extensive periods of travel (approx 40% - 50% of time)
Other Responsibilities
- Attend regular department, SMT/Heads and other key meetings and contribute to the overall smooth operation of the department/organisation
- Keep up to date with the major issues and solutions pertaining to humanitarian response in the Developing World
- Collect information for other Departments on field trips, as requested
- Take part in other inter-departmental work teams or projects, as requested
- Undertake other tasks and projects as requested by the Programme Director or CEO
General
- To be open to change and demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach
- To work collaboratively with other departments and be a supportive and effective team member
- To ensure that all activities undertaken on behalf of Plan UK, externally or internally, are executed in accordance with the overall aims of the organisation and in line with Plan's policies and procedures
- To participate in training and other activities as requested by the organisation
Stakeholder and Customer Service
- To provide quality customer service to all the respective audiences and comply with Plan UK's quality management protocols
- Effective representation of Plan to DEC, VOICE, CBHA, ECHO, DFID etc
- Proactive and collaborative working relationships with Plan Incs, HQ staff and International colleagues based at country office and Programme Unit levels
Awareness and Representation
- To promote positive and consistent messaging of Plan and to represent the organisation effectively
Key Deliverables
- Achievement of Unit strategy and objectives
- Plan global and UK policy adherence
- Highly performing and motivated team
- Enhanced reputation of Plan UK within the humanitarian sector
- Effective and timely response to all disasters
- High-level representation across all stakeholders
- Maintained and enhanced reputation with DEC
- Centre of excellence within the Plan network
Level of Child Protection Responsibility
- High - Has direct, unsupervised contact with children or control over child protection policies or procedures. Must hold a clear enhanced CRB disclosure.
Level of Budget Responsibility
- High - Post has direct responsibility for the management of a major budget.
Key Working Contacts
- Inter-Intra Department Heads
- Cross departmental disaster group
- Plan Inc Staff, HQ, RO, CO
- Plan UK's Humanitarian Donor base
- The DEC
- All disaster related networks including VOICE, CBHA
- UK SMT
- UK Heads Team
Personal Competencies
Communicating with others
- The successful candidate will be able to use a high level of communication skills, both written and verbal, in technical areas to foster partnerships and motivate others in a timely and concise manner
Team working and interpersonal skills
- The successful candidate will be able to be a team player and leader with the ability to network and form effective and constructive working relationships across the whole organisation and wider network within sector. In addition you will be able to work consultatively, but make good and speedy decisions when necessary, and communicate these decisions effectively and in a timely manner
Managing Resources
- The successful candidate will be able to lead and manage the Disaster Risk Management unit effectively to realise results and achieve high staff morale
Drives Continuous Improvement
- The successful candidate will be able to keep up to date with key development and disaster management issues to be able to spot new opportunities as they may arise and share this learning and intelligence with team members and the wider department
Customer Services
- The successful candidate will be able to provide a high level of customer service to all internal and external stakeholders in a timely and effective manner
Managing Yourself
- The successful candidate will be able to work on their own initiative with a flexible attitude to work but to be able to manage a wide and varied workload, using strong organisational skills and able to manage and meet multiple deadlines
Delivery and Meeting Business Plan
- The successful candidate will be able to be responsible for ensuring Disaster Risk Management unit is meeting all demands of the business plan
Relevant Experience
- The successful candidate will have experience of significant field experience in a management capacity within a humanitarian response setting
- The successful candidate will have experience of working at a senior level in an organisation that has DEC (or similar) membership
- The successful candidate will have experience of the donor funding environment and their requirements, enabling you to lead and guide the development of Partnerships and a strong pipeline of grants
- The successful candidate will have experience of managing, motivating and developing staff
- The successful candidate will have experience of representing your organisation at a high level including working with the media
- The successful candidate will have experience of working effectively within a complex organisational setting across a broad range of partners
Specific Skills and Knowledge
- The successful candidate will have the ability to develop and achieve ambitious plans for a team. The successful candidate will have knowledge of development studies, related to disaster management/response and demonstrated by a relevant qualification or extensive experience
- The successful candidate will have the ability to motivate, coach and influence others. The successful candidate will have knowledge of the wider Humanitarian sector; the current legal and policy environment in which humanitarian action is situated; key debates (relief/development transition, sphere standards and accountability, the development of international humanitarian law, etc)
- The successful candidate will have the ability to work with diverse teams often in stressful situations. The successful candidate will have knowledge of the role of children in development, particularly in relation to child rights and participation
- The successful candidate will have the ability to adapt styles to meet the needs of different audiences. The successful candidate will have knowledge of a related specialisation which adds value to the strategy of building a centre of excellence in relation to children/adolescents in emergencies, i.e. education, protection, resilience
- The successful candidate will have the ability to demonstrate an awareness of child protection issues