Project and People Management

• Oversee and take responsibility for project management, including overseeing spending, subgrants, contracts, consultants, and the inputs of other project partners to ensure delivery to schedule, within budget, and to a high standard within the area of responsibility.
• Liaise with and report to project funders.
• Undertake management and oversight of the work of staff working on the own body of research and advisory work, including researchers and associates, in line with ODI Global’s management expectations.

Line Management

• Recruit, induct, develop, and support directly managed staff in accordance with ODI Global’s management expectation framework.
• Review resource needs and implement strategies to meet changing workloads of direct line reports.
• Conduct appraisals, set appropriate objectives and team/institutional priorities, monitor and manage performance against these.

Collegiate Life

• Contribute to the Institute’s collegiate life through:
  • ODI Global activities such as discussion groups, public meetings, staff meetings, working groups, interviews, external representation.
  • Peer review and guidance to colleagues’ research and/or other outputs.
  • Provide intellectual mentoring for less experienced research staff working on related projects and support them as they begin to lead projects of their own.
  • Actively seek out, create, and promote opportunities for cross-ODI Global working.

All staff are expected to:

• Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI Global and externally.
• Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues’ Health and Safety.
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by their Manager.

Key Relationships and Contacts

Internal:

• Director of ODI Global
• Director of Programmes
• HPG staff
• Communications and Programme Management colleagues
• Research and support services colleagues across ODI Global as appropriate

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 of crisis-affected contexts, international and national NGOs.
• Academic institutions and individuals.
• Media as appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Essential

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Recognised expert in protection policy with extensive knowledge of issues related to conflict, civilian protection, human rights, and the politics of humanitarian action, and relevant intersecting areas.
• A post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Extensive and deep knowledge of key protection issues, organisations, and fora.
• 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 relevant to protection and rights.
• Experience of leadership and management at a senior level, in a policy or practitioner environment.
• Extensive experience of working in international or national humanitarian and/or protection organisations.
• Strong track record of engagement in major global policy processes and/or with senior officials.
• Extensive experience of public affairs work, including representation, media engagement, and communicating policy-relevant research findings.
• Experience of designing complex research projects, including applying different research methodologies.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Capacity to write clearly and persuasively, and first-class verbal communication skills.
• A demonstrated capacity for policy advisory and/or public affairs work, based on a rigorous approach, and an innovative and creative communications ability.
• Ability to translate research and policy ideas into compelling and fundable projects and initiatives.
• Skills in negotiation, listening, communication of ideas, problem solving, decision making.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, providing both leadership and mentoring for less senior staff.
• Proven organisational and time management skills, including managing a complex and varied workload.
• Proven ability to fundraise and build up a coherent portfolio of research and advisory work.

Desirable

• Extensive experience working in conflict or protracted crisis contexts.
• Experience of knowledge of a specific geographical location.

Why should you work for us?

ODI Global 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.

Benefits

We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development.

Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes, and interest-free travel loans. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth.

For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page.