Director: Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG)

An independent, global think tank, working for a sustainable and peaceful world in which every person thrives.

About ODI

ODI (odi.org) is an independent, global think tank. We work to inspire people to act on injustice and inequality. Through research, convening and influencing, we generate ideas that matter for people and planet.

We are seeking a motivated Director of HPG to set strategy, lead and deliver influential research and policy engagement on crisis response, deepening our partnership approaches and extending our impact.

About the Humanitarian Policy Group

The Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) is one of the world’s leading teams of policy researchers and analysts working on humanitarian issues. We combine influential, high-quality policy analysis and the capacity to act as an independent catalyst and platform for dialogue and debate. It couldn’t be a better time to join the team, as we embark upon a new strategy and programme of work to strengthen outcomes for people affected by crises and linkages across humanitarian development action.

Research, influencing, and convening are at the heart of what the Humanitarian Policy Group does. Rigorous, independent analysis and influential policy engagement are core to HPG’s exciting new strategy focused on rights in crises, politics and power in the humanitarian system, and resilience in climate and conflict environments. We are looking for a motivated leader who can work with our talented team to advance impact.

About you

You will be a recognised expert in crisis response, with the experience to provide intellectual leadership to a diverse research and policy agenda and the ability to leverage ODI’s expertise on development, climate and peace for how we engage in crises. A skilled communicator, you’ll be adept at senior level influencing and convening with impact. You’ll have a track record of strategic leadership and business development, with the ability to build, motivate and manage a talented team.

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Humanitarian Policy Group

Department: Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG)

Accountable To: Deputy Chief Executive and Managing Director

Responsible For: Principal and Senior Research Fellows and research team; Head, Humanitarian Practice Network; Senior Communications Manager

To download the job description and role details please follow HPG Director Application Pack Link. If you are experiencing difficulties downloading, please telephone 020 7922 0300 or email recruitment@odi.org.

Role Profile

You will be a recognised expert in crisis response, with the experience to provide intellectual leadership to a diverse research and policy agenda and the ability to leverage ODI’s expertise on development, climate and peace for how we engage in crises. A skilled communicator, you’ll be adept at senior level influencing and convening with impact. You’ll have a track record of strategic leadership and business development, with the ability to build, motivate and manage a talented team. 

Directors of Programme are renowned experts, highly skilled in strategic leadership, business development and team management.  You will be responsible for leading ODI’s humanitarian agenda, managing a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals and for the successful delivery of a multi-million pound, multi-faceted research and policy programme. Directors of Programme work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to develop and deliver the services provided by ODI, working with other Directors across ODI to maximise impact from collaborative work.  They influence and shape resources (intellectual, financial, staffing, physical, and technical) to meet the current and future needs of the organisation.  They have a significant impact on the direction, strategy, objectives and results of ODI. They will be a member of the ODI Global Leadership Team.

Purpose of the job

• To develop, communicate and deliver a clear strategic vision for ODI’s crisis and humanitarian work.
• To seek out new business opportunities and develop initiatives that will promote the reputation and success of ODI as a think tank and as a business.
• To represent HPG externally, liaising, networking and presenting at national and international events to raise the profile of the organisation and to build HPG’s reach and influence.
• To build and support a highly engaged and effective HPG team: modelling positive, impactful leadership, recruiting and developing skilled, motivated individuals; building trust; role modelling our values and codes of conduct; and managing performance.
• To set and monitor overall standards of service to ensure the highest quality of outputs and to meet agreed donor objectives.
• To develop, implement, monitor and evaluate operational plans and budgets, delegating day to day management responsibility to appropriate researchers / team managers.

Responsibilities and Duties

Provide strategic direction and thought leadership on crisis response and humanitarian action:

• Stay abreast of developments in humanitarian action and lead innovation and change to adapt HPG to an evolving context for crisis action that includes linkages across climate, development and peace
• Set HPG’s agenda within the context of the overall ODI strategy and within the sector, so that our work is forward looking and leverages ODI’s inter-disciplinary expertise
• Develop medium-term and periodic (mainly annual) strategies and plans for the programme to achieve programme goals, maintain HPG’s leadership within the field, and ensure the programme is financially sustainable
• Provide oversight and guidance to the HPG team to fulfil programme goals and ensure excellent quality and standards
• Implement HPG’s partnership approaches and application of decolonial agendas

Lead and manage relevant staff, develop effective teams and uphold ODI’s values:

• Directly line manage and supervise senior researchers and communicators and the Head of the Humanitarian Practice Network
• Recruit, develop, support and manage performance of HPG staff
• Develop and nurture an effective and high performing programme team that works well together, builds flexibility and capacity, and collaborates across ODI
• Model and promote the application of ODI’s values within the team and with others

Lead HPG’s policy influence & representation externally:

• Lead HPG’s influencing and communications agenda, ensuring HPG’s work is underpinned by strong influencing objectives, is engaging diverse audiences, and responding to developments in crisis contexts
• Lead convening and undertake senior-level representation on humanitarian issues for ODI, with donors, governments, partner organisations, and the media
• Develop HPG’s partnerships and networks, including through actively participating in priority forums, events and meetings

Lead business development for HPG:

• Develop and deliver business development strategies that further the goals and objectives of HPG
• Initiate, lead and oversee the development of new concepts and ideas, working with donors to attract their interest and engagement
• Lead and oversee funding proposals for the programme 

Undertake and oversee research and other programme work in the thematic area:

• Oversee, coordinate and quality assure research and other programme work of the team
• Directly undertake research and/or expert analysis on humanitarian agendas

Contribute to overall ODI leadership and strategic direction:

• Participate in ODI’s overall leadership and senior management forums to provide strategic direction and ensure alignment of ODI’s work
• Contribute to ODI-wide strategic processes

Collaborate with ODI’s other programme teams to foster strategic alignment, multidisciplinary work and ensure functional support:

• Collaborate and work with other programme teams to develop and deliver multidisciplinary work
• Work collaboratively with all ODI’s functional teams to coordinate their support to HPG, and in particular, co-manage support from the business development, project management and policy influence and communications teams

Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by their manager

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• A degree and post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
• Recognised expert in humanitarian policy and deep knowledge of conflict and crisis contexts
• Experience of working in crisis contexts
• Fluency in English, and preferably a good command of at least one other language

Experience

• Extensive experience in policy-oriented research and/or direct policy formulation at a senior level, demonstrated by a track record of influential publications and/or delivery of major policy initiatives.
• Strong track record of engagement in major global policy processes and/or with senior officials in national governments, multi-lateral and bilateral agencies, NGOs and the private sector.
• Demonstrated capacity for policy advisory or public affairs work, based on an analytical approach, and an innovative and creative communications ability, including media engagement.
• Significant experience in leading, managing and developing staff and teams based on organisational purpose and values
• Significant management experience including of programmes, strategic and operational plans, and finances
• Existing relationships with potential funding agencies and a proven ability to fundraise, build and manage programmes of work

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to lead and manage a research, policy advice and public affairs team, including managing performance and developing staff
• Values-driven and exceptional integrity, including ensuring a safe working environment and equal opportunities for all
• Effective teamwork, inter-personal and collaboration skills, including ability to work in partnership – including with partners from crisis-affected contexts - and to work as part of a team
• Strategic thinking and collaborative strategy development
• Programme and financial management skills
• Strong interdisciplinary research skills
• Strong analytical skills, a capacity to write clearly, and communicate effectively
• Representation, public speaking and media skills

Key Relationships and Contacts

Internal: Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive/Managing Director, Director of Programmes, Communications and Programme Management colleagues. Research colleagues in other ODI programmes, especially those working in fragile and conflict settings.

External: Major donors, bi-laterals and multilateral organisations, including WFP, UNHCR, OCHA, UNICEF, other UN agencies, the World Bank, EU, DAC, bi-lateral organisations, country governments in crisis affected contexts, international and national NGOs.  Academic institutions and individuals. Media as appropriate.  

Interview date: w/c September 26, 2024

ODI is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities. 

We offer competitive salaries, a generous company pension scheme, hybrid working and a range of flexible, family-friendly and inclusive employment policies to support well-being.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above

ODI is an equal opportunities employer

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