Job Title: Director – Strategy, Advocacy and Learning
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The SAL Director will lead and manage the SAL Directorate to ensure that the team is equipped to deliver the ambition and priorities outlined in the organisational strategic plan.
The director will contribute to developing and delivering on the strategic direction of the organisation, and the achievement of the highest standard of programme quality.
The director will provide leadership, coordination and direction for organisational advocacy work, global citizenship education and campaigns, and to the promotion of a culture and programme of organisational learning.
The role holder will be responsible for:
Technical Assistance:
* Taking a lead role in the formulation and finalisation of organisational Policy Statements and strategic plans.
* Supporting Board committees as required and ensuring Board briefings and reports are prepared and presented to a high standard.
* Supporting the Head of Technical Assistance to ensure that the Technical Assistance team is adequately resourced and supported to deliver high quality technical support, guidance and capacity development to enhance programme impact.
* Supporting the Head of Technical Assistance to revise, develop and roll out a set of programme policies and strategies which support the design and implementation of effective programmes in line with the organisational strategic plan.
* Working with the Head of Technical Assistance to ensure that technical advisers develop and maintain strategic engagement with relevant global networks such as the global clusters that seek to ensure clear and effective leadership, predictability, and accountability.
* Collaborating with and supporting the senior managers of both the International Programmes and the Emergency Directorate to ensure coherent and practical support to country teams to deliver high quality programmes in a manner consistent with the organisational strategic plan.
* Supporting the Head of Technical Assistance to promote a culture and programme of innovation and develop appropriate mechanisms to capture and communicate learning across Concern.
* Strengthening Concern's engagement in relevant policy debates, contributing organisational research and evidence to informing good policy and practice.
Advocacy:
* Directing and coordinating the strategic advocacy work of the organisation.
* Supporting the Head of International Advocacy to ensure the team is adequately resourced and supported to deliver impactful and high-quality advocacy initiatives.
* Promoting effective collaboration across key directorates to strengthen Concern's influencing impact in policy and communications.
* Providing direction and guidance to the CEO and other senior managers on external advocacy engagement and representation.
* Overseeing the development and strategic utilisation of high-quality reports and policy positions drawn from Concern's research and programme implementation.
* Representing the organisation as required in external meetings and policy events.
Global Citizenship and Campaigns:
* Directing and supporting Concern's work in Global Citizenship Education and campaigns.
* Supporting the Head of Global Citizenship and Campaigns to ensure the team is adequately resourced to deliver the Global Citizenship programme and engage in external representation and campaigning in Ireland.
* Providing strategic guidance to the programme managers to deliver the current strategy, influence policy and contribute to sectoral learning.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
* Establishing and leading processes for evaluating the impact of the activities of the SAL team, using data-driven approaches to improve effectiveness and achieve organisational goals.
Senior Management Team (SMT):
* Engaging effectively as a member of the SMT by contributing to the development of the organisation's overall strategic direction and decision-making processes.
* Upholding and promoting Concern's values of equality, diversity, inclusion, accountability, and safeguarding in all communications, branding and digital marketing activities, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
* Acting as a global representative of Concern at international fora, conferences, and with high-profile stakeholders, showcasing the organisation's work and strengthening its influence.
* Working closely with the CEO and other senior managers to develop and manage key strategic relationships and external representation to strengthen Concern's brand and influence projects.
* Promoting staff well-being through supportive leadership and working to promote a positive and inclusive culture in the organisation.
Role Holder Requirements:
* Holding significant proven and demonstrable experience of working in an overseas context, preferably with experience of both development and humanitarian contexts, or in contexts of protracted or complex crises.
* Holding at least five years' experience at a senior management level in an overseas humanitarian context.
* Holding significant proven and demonstrable experience in delivering technical assistance and a strong understanding of key issues related to the role of technical assistance, especially in fragile and conflict affected contexts.
* Demonstrated ability to build consensus and work across teams to deliver shared goals and objectives.
* Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse multi-disciplinary team and make sound management decisions and work in a participatory manner with colleagues.
* Demonstrated ability to lead and direct high-quality research to underpin organisational advocacy positions.
* Ability to identify and build relationships with key political, policy, and civil society actors nationally and internationally.
* Excellent organisational and planning skills, ability to prioritise a diverse and heavy workload, and meet strict deadlines.
* Empathy with Concern's ethos, values, strategy, and longer-term objectives.