Global Humanitarian Response Lead
Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters.
IRW’s International Programmes Division is recruiting for its Disaster Risk Management Department. The department is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to take on the pivotal role of Global Humanitarian Response Lead. This is a full-time, permanent position based in either the UK or IR will consider applicants from countries where Islamic Relief has a country office.
The post holder will play a pivotal role in the delivery of effective and high-quality humanitarian assistance to new and ongoing crises. The postholder will lead a Disaster Response Team response team during any deployment and oversee humanitarian responses projects implemented by local partners in non-Islamic Relief presence countries. Please note, the post holder is expected to spend up to 60% of their time in the field, requiring the unrestricted ability to travel internationally.
The successful candidate must have:
- Knowledge and experience of management and developing a large team of international professional staff in different locations, demonstrating significant and measurable improvement in results
- Knowledge and experience of managing a major crisis requiring sudden and major change in priorities and rapid management action to respond. This includes risk management approaches.
- Knowledge and experience of working successfully with senior managers to deliver major change
- Post graduate degree or equivalent in social economics / development studies / social sciences.
- Skills in advocating to external organisations in order influence policies or priorities and identifying new opportunities for the organisation
- Knowledge and understanding of key trends in international development, and of the evolving role of international NGOs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of using international standards (esp., CHS) to drive quality
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- Proven track record of responding to category 1 and category 2 emergency responses with an International NGO in different contexts.
- Demonstrated experience in emergency project management and of managing emergency response programmes in an NGO context.
- Sound understanding and experience of engaging with humanitarian aid architecture
- Knowledge and experience of having worked in one of the following sectors, Education, WASH, Food Security and Livelihood, or Programme Management
- Substantial experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management at regional or global level.
- Experience of writing comprehensive, high quality narrative reports for donors.
- Experience of and commitment to participatory management and maintaining a supportive, open environment to ensure the learning and development of all staff.
- Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, sensitivity to others’ views and perspectives, and conflict resolution.
- Strong and well-developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality piece of work that are publishable and usable by non-specialists.
For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description.
If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.
PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place in early December 2025.
Pre-employment Checks:
Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:
- screening clearance
- receipt of satisfactory references
- Proof of Right to Work in the UK (if applicable)
Our values and commitment to safeguarding
IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer