The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the worlds largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If youre a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

BACKGROUND

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise IRC’s international profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England, a programme that is rapidly growing.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

The Purpose of the Role

The Executive Director, IRC UK is responsible for delivering all of IRC’s targets in the UK, particularly with respect to fundraising, advocacy and communications but also UK finance, operations, and people and culture. The Executive Director leads the UK Senior Management Team.

An important objective for the Executive Director IRC UK will be maintaining the UK as a net contributing office within the IRC and to broaden, deepen and make more sustainable the IRC’s access to funding in the UK. This must be through a compelling and relevant external engagement strategy that harnesses the best of our programming globally.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, IRC Europe and the UK Board of Trustees, the role provides organisational and staff leadership and accountability to IRC UK in a shared management structure. The Executive Director, IRC UK works closely with members of the IRC Senior Leadership Team for Europe to form and implement the departmental organisational agenda.

Given this matrix management structure, it will be critical to the continued success of IRC UK that the Executive Director, IRC UK build a highly effective team by influencing and collaborating with senior leaders across Europe and the global organisation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Leadership: Motivate and build a highly effective and collaborative UK senior team to deliver performance against targets in private and statutory fundraising, advocacy and communications.
Support the board in delivering its objective to ensure governance and oversight in line with UK statutory obligations e.g. charities Commission and Companies house requirements.
Ensure that the UK Board is aware of and engaging effectively with IRC UK strategic priorities, and lead all ongoing Board engagement.
Embed a high-performing, “can do” culture across IRC UK which brings together contributions from all functions.
Provide effective and collaborative matrix management along with colleagues in regional functions in Europe (i.e. communications, policy and advocacy, HR, Finance and Operations) and IRC’s global award management and technical units.
Leadership of an office of around 250 staff, including staff in UK focused positions and also UK based international staff.
Communicate corporate values both internally and externally and lead by example in organisational ethics and morals.
Champion Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for IRC-UK.

Stakeholder Engagement and Public Representation

Develop a stakeholder engagement plan across our various internal and external stakeholder groups.
Act as an effective ambassador with external stakeholders including government, institutional donors, corporate and private funders in the UK, in close collaboration with the SVP Europe.
Effectively represent IRC as a member Trustee and engage with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
Effectively represent IRC and engage IRC Patron.
Act as a compelling spokesperson to share IRC’s positions in British media and publicly advocate for IRC policy priorities.
Effectively engage with all media and opinion-forming organisations to protect and enhance the reputation and visibility of IRC UK.
Develop a strong relationship with UK charities and regulators to proactively improve the standing of the organisation, and ensure its compliance on all reporting requirements.

Planning, Delivery and Performance

Take overall accountability for achieving agreed performance measures in all areas of the IRC UK’s activities e.g. Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) programme, particularly fundraising, communications and advocacy in the UK.
Define and monitor the effectiveness of IRC UK’s operating model to ensure quality, service and cost-effective management of resources.
Define and track key performance indicators with the UK Senior Management Team to ensure and report on delivery of objectives.
Contribute to the IRC 2020-25 strategic planning process by coordinating the input from the UK as required by the SVP Europe and the Global Strategy Unit.
Review management and financial reporting and statements to determine progress and status in attaining objectives, and revise plans in accordance with current conditions.

Governance

Represent IRC UK at the Europe Senior Management Team meetings.
Lead the IRC UK Senior Management Team.
A member of the Global Senior Leaders’ Group led by the IRC President.
Report to the IRC UK Board of Trustees and prepare three annual Board meetings.
Create sustainable and effective internal structures between global functional departments and the UK office.
Ensure IRC UK operates effectively within all relevant statutory, regulatory and quality frameworks and to the highest ethical and governance standards.
Ensure effective financial and operational controls are in place for the organisation including systems to ensure fundraising operates on a highly ethical basis.
Oversee an appropriate risk management culture and process.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience:

Significant experience in leading, managing and executing across complex not-for-profit organisations including leading Senior Management Teams.
Track record of advocacy and influencing senior stakeholders across government, business and other not-for-profit organisations. Track record of being a spokesperson and public advocate on humanitarian or related topics.

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

Strong fundraising skills and track record of driving fundraising results.
Ability to build strong relationships across a complex, matrixed stakeholder map evidenced by moving stakeholder groups to action. Proven track-record in building consensus.
Flexibility and the ability to thrive in a global matrixed environment.
Excellent diplomatic and negotiation skills.
Strong understanding of, and networks in, the UK not-for-profit and policy environments.
A deep, observable and passionate commitment to IRC’s mission.
Superb written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable:

Experience in an executive leadership position in an international organisation.
Experience in the overseas aid sector.

Narrowing the Gender Gap:

The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay and gender-sensitive security protocols.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

The application deadline is 31st October 2024.

IRC UK will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and/or interview process, and for essential job functions if appointed to a role. Please contact us if you may need such adjustments.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the IRC UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org.

Standard of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

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Executive Director, IRC UK