Jobs

Director of Humanitarian Policy

About InterAction

Founded in 1984, InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partners. We mobilize our Members to think and act collectively to serve the world’s poor and vulnerable, with a shared belief that we can make the world a more peaceful, just and prosperous place – together. Using our collective voice and convening power, we seek to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change.

Our Members are premier international global development, humanitarian, and sector-supporting organizations that work in almost every country and manage more than $15.4 billion in programs annually. InterAction’s revenues come from dues, government, private foundation and corporate grants, and fee-for-service programs. Additional information can be found at www.interaction.org.

Position Description

Reporting to the Vice President of the Humanitarian Team, the Director of Humanitarian Policy leads coordination and advocacy on critical issues relating to humanitarian policy trends and works closely with the Directors of Humanitarian Practice, Protection, and Shelter & Settlements to define InterAction’s humanitarian priorities and strategy. The Director of Humanitarian Policy plays an important role in regards to the team’s engagement with the Humanitarian Advisory Committee and is the main interlocutor for InterAction working groups on forced displacement and UN partnerships. Externally, this position liaises with InterAction members, U.N. Agencies, U.S. Government representatives, and other humanitarian actors.

Position Type

Full-time

This is a full-time position based in Washington DC. Due to COVID-19, InterAction has and continues to develop new and flexible workplace policies. InterAction maintains a hybrid work environment and employees currently work remotely and flexibly from home on some days and in-person in the office on others. Employees can work remotely from anywhere outside the DMV area for up to four weeks per year. There is an expectation that employees are based in the Washington DC region.

Essential Functions

Representation:

•    Effectively represent InterAction’s members in high-level international humanitarian policy discussions, including the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, Grand Bargain, Grand Bargain Facilitation Group, and Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Operational Policy & Advocacy Group (OPAG).

•    Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with relevant USG counterparts, specifically USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA) and the State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM).

•    Maintain and strengthen strong partnership with other NGO consortia on issues related to humanitarian policy processes and forums.

Policy Analysis and Development:

•    With member input, develop NGO positioning on new and ongoing policy issues, such as the climate crisis, forced displacement, humanitarian financing, risk-sharing, and the detrimental impacts of counter-terrorism measures on principled humanitarian action.

•    Lead the production of materials (reports, briefs, presentations) to communicate NGO perspective to relevant stakeholders in the humanitarian system.

•    Ensure that the Policy Team is aware of humanitarian trends, tracking humanitarian policy processes and developing/executing influencing strategies around key policy processes/moments.

•    Serve as an expert resource for NGOs, including field-level consortia, providing support and guidance on, and furthering member engagement and familiarity with, humanitarian policy priorities.

•    Conduct field assessments, both independently and within IASC processes, to strengthen the evidence base on the implementation of humanitarian policies.

•    Engage with InterAction crisis-specific and thematic working groups to inform on the potential impacts of policy changes on their work, and vice-versa.

Management:

•    Manage a team of five high-performing staff.

•    Oversee and lead on fundraising and grant management of humanitarian policy-related activities and awards, in close coordination with VP and other Directors.

•    Provide opportunities for growth and learning to all members of the Policy team.

•    Serve as an active member of Humanitarian Directors team and support the VP, as requested, in various InterAction representational duties.

•    Ensure strong linkages with the Humanitarian Team’s Practice, Protection, and Shelter & Settlements workstreams.

•    Support work with InterAction’s Communications and Global Development, Policy and Learning teams, as appropriate.

•    Oversee and support the management of the Forced Displacement Working Group, UN Partnership Working Group, and other ad hoc groups as needed.

•    Oversee a cross-Humanitarian Team approach to engaging with all levels of the IASC and maximizing opportunities to shape IASC priorities and actions from the perspective of frontline NGOs.

•    Engage with relevant academic institutions and think tanks to further research objectives around humanitarian policy priorities.

Qualifications and Skills

•    Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.

•    At least ten years’ experience; a mix of in-country and headquarters policy-oriented positions desired.

•    Substantial experience working within the humanitarian architecture and in partnership with U.N. agencies.

•    Experience managing a high-performing team.

•    Awareness of IASC structures and roles, at country and global levels.

•    Experience working with international institutions responding to the climate crisis and forced displacement, including the UNHCR and World Bank.

•    Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy decision-making processes and the offices and functions of the National Security Council, the Department of State, and USAID.

•    Ability to communicate clearly, succinctly, and accurately on complex ideas and issues, both verbally and in writing.

•    Strong interpersonal skills and experience building trust among diverse stakeholders and representing the interests of diverse constituencies.

•    Experience in interacting/communicating with high-level stakeholders and policy makers in the humanitarian system.

•    Experience in organizing and leading collective NGO action.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises 5 employees.

Compensation

$135,000–$140,000. InterAction additionally offers an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date

October 2, 2023

Reports To

Vice President, Humanitarian Team

Travel:

10–20 %

In addition:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic covered by law.

There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period.

Applicants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to produce proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment. InterAction will evaluate requests for reasonable accommodations for applicants unable to be vaccinated due to a religious belief, disability or pregnancy on an individualized basis in accordance with applicable laws.

InterAction does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of InterAction and InterAction will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

To Apply:

Please use the apply button to submit a cover letter and resume.

Position will remain open until filled.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.

Due to the volume of interest, only candidates considered will be contacted. Please – no phone calls.

Job posted: 2023-09-14