Country: United States of America
Closing date: 20 Mar 2020
InterAction is the largest U.S. based coalition of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with Members working around the world in low- and middle-income countries, fragile and post-conflict states, and emerging/growth economies. Member organizations are large and small, secular and faith-based, with a focus on people living in the world’s most poor and vulnerable places. The U.S. public, foundations, and governments support the work of our member NGOs that collectively invest and manage more than $15.4 billion a year. InterAction revenues come from dues, government grants, corporate partners, fee for service and private foundations. Using its collective voice and convening power, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, social and economic development, and effective, accountable governance – that advance human dignity and human potential.
InterAction Leadership Overview
The Vice President, Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP), serves on InterAction’s Executive Team (ET) and works closely with the CEO and other ET colleagues on the overall leadership and management of the organization. As a member of the ET, the HPP Vice President aids in the advancement of the organization’s goals, dynamism, and overall institutional health. The role works to align the HPP team with other teams across InterAction and, working closely with the CEO and peers on the ET, shapes the evolution of the organization. As its premier humanitarian staff member, the role often represents InterAction at the highest levels of government, the United Nations, and with other global policy makers.
Humanitarian Team Overview
InterAction serves as a unique interlocutor within the humanitarian system, through our wide network of operational NGOs, close relationships with United Nations (UN) leadership, and representative role on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). We are a proven leader within the global policy and practice realm, providing strong analysis and recommendations, based on evidence, to engage stakeholders in policy initiatives, facilitate dialogue between various actors, and leverage the voice of civil society to promote principled outcome-oriented approaches to humanitarian action. InterAction is instrumental in developing and amplifying NGOs’ common approaches and messaging related to the challenges faced by humanitarian actors and affected populations.
InterAction simultaneously focuses inward, in organizing our own community, and outward, as a recognized liaison on behalf of the U.S. NGO community with the U.S. government, the United Nations, other donor governments, and other NGO consortia. Our members call upon and expect InterAction to act as the community convener, mediator, and leader to develop common positions and messages on fundamental issues related to humanitarian policy and practice, improving their ability to save lives and alleviate the suffering of people affected by conflict and natural disasters
Position Objective
The Vice President for Humanitarian Policy and Practice leads InterAction’s efforts to assist the humanitarian community, including InterAction Members, U.N. agencies, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, to address the needs of vulnerable populations. This position oversees a full-time staff of 22 and a budget of approximately $4m, fundraised from bilateral and private sources. This position represents InterAction membership, expanding the partnerships and influence of NGOs in multilateral and bilateral fora and events.
The VP for HPP is also a member of InterAction’s Executive Team and aids in the advancement of the organization’s mission, goals and overall organizational health.
Key Responsibilities
• Guide and oversee the principal areas of work by the Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) team.
• Serve as the primary humanitarian advisor to InterAction, including liaising with members to advance InterAction and HPP strategic goals.
• Engage the senior humanitarian leadership of InterAction members in shaping and advancing the community’s strategic goals, programs and advocacy efforts. Within the broader InterAction community, initiate and maintain good relationships with representatives of member organizations.
• Support humanitarian responses through high-level engagement with US Government and UN representatives.
• Ensure the humanitarian leadership of InterAction members are informed of conditions on the ground and of responses by international and domestic players during humanitarian crises.
• Build relationships with new partners, donors and key external actors for activities or new initiatives that support InterAction’s goals.
• Initiate and inform timely high-level advocacy activities designed to focus public, government and international agency attention on un-met humanitarian needs.
• Represent InterAction at key meetings and with key policy makers and stakeholders in the US and internationally, up to and including organizational Principals.
• Actively shape the overall management and leadership of InterAction as a member of the Executive Team (ET).
• Manage and mentor staff, supporting their development and promoting collaboration with InterAction’s other teams and a “whole of InterAction” approach.
• Advance InterAction’s fundraising strategy and bear responsibility to fundraise for HPP-led initiatives.
• Build relationships with donors while developing and pursuing funding opportunities for HPP activities; including ensuring proper programmatic and fiscal management of all grants and cooperative agreements received by InterAction for implementation by the HPP Team.
• Work with the CEO on a range of initiatives and support the team’s engagement with the Board of Directors.
• Work closely with InterAction’s Public Policy and Communications team on external outreach and representation, as well as the publicization of HPP activities via various media and fora.
Requirements
• At least 20 years professional experience, including at least seven years in leadership positions at country-level (preferably with an NGO).
• Direct experience in humanitarian response as either an NGO representative, donor government official, or international organization official.
• Ability to represent the concerns of the NGO community without personal bias.
• Proven experience in cultivating external relationships.
• Excellent public speaking and written communication skills.
• Deep understanding of the UN-led humanitarian system.
• Understanding of civilian protection in humanitarian responses.
• Knowledge of security issues in environments in which the humanitarian community works with vulnerable populations.
• Good knowledge of administrative, financial and logistic procedures in the framework of complex programming.
• Ability to convene a wide range of actors and build consensus among them on humanitarian issues.
• Strong advocate for vulnerable populations.
• Solid management track record including experience in personnel oversight, budget development and tracking (with bilateral and private donors, and in amounts in excess of $1m), and developing and maintaining funding sources.
• Master’s degree in relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• Foreign language(s) a plus.
• Must be available to travel up to 20%
Competencies
• Experience working in multi-cultural environments.
• Experience managing communities of practice to bring multiple stakeholders to consensus, holding individuals accountable and adhering to deadlines.
• Proven capacities in mentoring staff.
• A commitment to programmatic and organizational accountability.
• A sense of humor.
Expected Start Date
As soon as possible
Reports to
CEO, InterAction
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
How to apply:
To Apply
Please e-mail your resume, cover letter including salary expectations to jobs@interaction.org with subject line containing title Vice President, HPP. Position will remain open until filled. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period. Due to the volume of applications, only finalists will be notified.