Head of Programmes [Maternity cover]
***Please download the job description for full details***
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is a unique and dynamic membership organisation which comprises 15 of the UK’s leading humanitarian agencies. The DEC launches appeals when there is a humanitarian emergency of such magnitude to warrant a national UK response.
Most DEC funds are raised over an intensive two-week period following a disaster. Appeal funds are specifically for overseas humanitarian work and are normally spent over a two or three-year response period. An important part of the DEC’s remit is in learning, accountability and sharing information.
The Head of Programmes is a critical role for the organisation, responsible for
ensuring DEC funded programmes meet programmatic standards, are fully traceable, routinely monitored and comply with organisational procedures and institutional donors’ requirements. In addition, the Head of Programmes is also appointed as the Serious Incident Reporting (SIR) Officer, serving as the first point of contact for member agencies to report incidents regarding safeguarding, financial misconduct and reputational risk.
Externally, the Head of Programmes liaises with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Senior Response Officers, UN OCHA, Charity Commission, Emergency Appeals Alliance, Member Agencies including Humanitarian Directors and in-country colleagues.
Key responsibilities:
Communication and Collaboration
- Key point of contact with member colleagues regarding programmes finance, adaptive programming and DEC compliance, facilitating timely and accurate communication.
- Contribute to DEC functional and advisory groups, Board sub-committee meetings and Board meetings including participation in Humanitarian Directors meetings.
- As a key point of contact with FCDO SROs, develop and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship, and ensure timely delivery of all UK Aid Match MOU obligations.
- Strengthen and maintain colleagues understanding of DEC’s ways of working both internally and externally (DEC HQ members, in-country colleagues and local partners and key stakeholders).
Analysis and Reporting
- Provide oversight to the review and analysis of member charity appeal budget plans and financial reports with a focus on compliance with DEC policies and good practice guidelines to assess unusual variances and value for money considerations.
- Deliver and contribute to timely and high-quality infographics, reports and briefings for key stakeholders and institutional donors including Board of Trustees, FCDO and BBC.
- Manage & maintain investment in public transparency and demonstrate DEC’s contribution to the humanitarian sector, including reporting to IATI and UN OCHA Financial Tracking Service (FTS).
- Continuously develop, improve and manage DEC’s Knowledge Information Management systems (KIM), as user-friendly collaborating platforms that enhance learning and enable data analysis, visualisation and high-quality reporting.
- Collect, analyse and present accurate and timely data to help inform a rapid assessment of appeal Criteria 2 for both rapid onset and evolving protracted crises and contribute to the development of the Case for Appeal.
Management and Leadership
- Holistic and flexible approach to any given scenario/context, whilst ensuring a robust process is followed, recorded and documented.
- Deputise for the Director of Humanitarian Programmes and Accountability.
- Effectively line manage and provide leadership to Grant Managers and Programme Officers, contributing to the high performance of the Programmes & Accountability team.
- Manage the Appeal Surge Roster (external consultants) including overseeing recruitment and necessary training.
- As SIR Officer, manage processes and support with onward reporting to key stakeholders including FCDO and Charity Commission.
- Manage service providers as required.
If you have managed similar portfolios in humanitarian organisations, have demonstrable leadership qualities, with a proven ability to represent organisations at the highest level, then we would love to hear from you.
How to apply
Please apply with your anonymised CV & cover letter [i.e. please state your initials only, not your full name] to HR@dec.org.uk. We will be interviewing on a rolling basis, with the intention to fill the role by November 2024.
The DEC is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults and participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful 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 applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent, to these recruitment procedures.