InterAction is the largest alliance of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S., with nearly 190 members working in every developing country. Members are large and small, faith-based and secular, with a focus on the world’s most poor and vulnerable populations. The U.S. public, foundations and governments support the work of our members who collectively invest and manage over $18 billion a year. InterAction’s own funds come from dues and generous grants from others, such as foundations, corporations and governments. Using its collective voice, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions as wide range of foreign assistance, relief, development, environmental and other issues that advance human dignity.
About the Position
Position Title:
Vice President, Humanitarian Policy and Practice
Position Type:
Full-time, long term
Location:
Washington, DC
Travel:
10%-20% (Domestic & International)
Reporting to:
President
The Vice President of Humanitarian Policy and Practice leads InterAction’s efforts to assist the humanitarian community, including InterAction members, UN agencies, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, to address the needs of vulnerable populations. With the CEO, President and other InterAction Vice Presidents, as a member of InterAction’s senior management s/he supports and advances the organization’s espoused values, mission, and long-term goals as approved by the Board of Directors. The Vice President provides strategic direction for the Humanitarian Policy and Practice Team, represents InterAction and our members, and brings expertise in relevant technical areas as well as in the organization’s fundraising and organizational and financial management.
Primary Relationships Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Humanitarian Policy and Practice is a member of InterAction’s Executive Team and works closely with the other InterAction Vice Presidents and the Executive Office in leading InterAction. S/he collaborates with management in charting the direction of the organization, assuring its accountability to all constituencies and ensuring its effective operation. S/he leads the Humanitarian Policy and Practice team and all of its activities, including fundraising, management, and program development in the areas of practice, policy, protection, and security. Externally, this position liaises with InterAction members, U.S. government representatives, U.N. agencies and other humanitarian actors.
Key Responsibilities
The Vice President of Humanitarian Policy and Practice is a leadership position for an individual committed to improving humanitarian effectiveness through collaboration and partnerships. Areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:
- Provides overall vision and leadership for the Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Team.
- Engages the senior humanitarian leadership of InterAction members in shaping and advancing the community’s strategic goals, programs, and advocacy efforts. With the InterAction CEO and the InterAction President, leads the development of community-wide policy on matters of particular sensitivity, such as the humanitarian impact of counter-terror measures and civil-military relations.
- Represents InterAction at principals level with key policy makers and stakeholders in the U.S. and internationally, with particular focus on USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the State Department Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and overseas NGO humanitarian response consortia, including ICVA, SCHR, and VOICE.
- Supervises and provides support and guidance to the directors of the practice, policy, protection, and security sub-units of HPP.
- Provides strategic direction for the areas of work of the HPP Team and secures funding for these efforts. Builds relationships with government and private donors. Ensures proper programmatic and fiscal management of all grants and cooperative agreements received by InterAction for implementation by the HPP Team.
- Serves as the leading in-house analyst of humanitarian issues for InterAction, and provides interviews and briefings on humanitarian matters to the membership, media, think tanks, universities, and other external constituencies as requested.
- Serves as a member of InterAction’s Executive Team and works closely with the other InterAction Vice Presidents and the Executive Office in leading InterAction.
- Works with the CEO and the President on a range of initiatives and supports the team’s engagement with the Board of Directors.
Qualifications
- At least 15 years professional experience in humanitarian action both at the operational and policy level, including direct experience in humanitarian response as an NGO, government or international organization official.
- Previous experience and track record in of convening and mobilizing key humanitarian actors and building consensus among them to advance or advocate on humanitarian issues
- Must be fluent with NGO issues and concerns in the humanitarian sector and adept at coalition politics.
- Proven experience in cultivating external relationships in the humanitarian sector, with polished representational skills.
- Direct experience and success in fundraising and resource generation.
- A broad range of existing contacts and relationships with various global stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.
- A dynamic ability to communicate/advocate to high-level audiences, including superior public speaking and written communication skills.
- Solid management track record, including experience in personnel and budget management with a preference to a nurturing management style that will work well with highly skilled and independent talent.
- Fluency in one or more languages a plus.
Physical Requirements There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Salary & Benefits InterAction provides competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
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