Your mission
War Child oPt seeks a motivated Gaza Response Team Leader (RTL) to join its team.
General Objective of the Job
The Gaza Response Team Leader (RTL) will be responsible for executing and overseeing War Child’s emergency response operations in Gaza, ensuring efficient program delivery in a complex humanitarian environment, under the leadership of the oPt Country Director. The RTL will lead a multidisciplinary team, implementing programme management, duty-of-care practices, security protocols, and operational procedures to maintain staff safety and program continuity. They will manage logistics, compliance, and resource mobilization to ensure timely, effective interventions aligned with humanitarian standards.
Working closely with a security advisor, the RTL will strengthen security measures and operational frameworks. Additionally, they will coordinate with external stakeholders, including INGOs and local actors, to maintain War Child’s presence and engagement in Gaza.
This position will transition from an international to a national role within one year, supporting the organization’s localization strategy.
What you will do:
1. Emergency Response Planning, Management, Operations & Security
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of the Gaza Emergency Response Plan (GERP), ensuring alignment with the War Child oPt Emergency Response Plan and War Child’s strategic priorities.
- Provide operational oversight, including logistics, compliance, and resource allocation, to deliver high-quality, timely interventions. Initial focus will be on the review and strengthening of operational structure, solutions and compliance before handing daily oversight to a Deputy Team Leader – Operations.
- Ensure adherence to security protocols in close collaboration with the oPt Country Director, oPt Security Coordinator, and Global Security Advisor to safeguard staff and partners. During the initial phase of the role (6 months) the Gaza Response Team Leader will work alongside a deployed Security Advisor to develop and embed robust security approaches, tools and practices.
- Monitor humanitarian needs and risks, updating contingency plans to reflect the dynamic operating environment.
- Foster strong collaboration across internal teams and with external stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
2. Collaboration and Representation
- In coordination with the oPt Country Director, actively engage with and contribute to external coordination forums, to influence and align with collective humanitarian strategies and leverage shared resources in Gaza.
- Contribute to building strategic partnerships with INGOs, local NGOs, and consortiums in close coordination with the Porgramme team and the Head of Programmes Development and Quality to enhance the reach and impact of the response.
- Represent War Child’s interests and the voices of affected communities in key platforms, focusing on securing resources and increasing visibility for the crisis in Gaza, in collaboration with oPt Country management.
- Collaborate with peer agencies in Gaza to identify areas for joint programming and mutual support.
- In close Coordination with the oPt Country Director serve as a spokesperson for War Child’s emergency efforts in Gaza, working with the Global Communications Team to ensure consistent and impactful messaging.
3. Fundraising and Grants Management
- In close coordination with the Head of Programme Quality and Development, initiate and collaborate in the development of funding proposals and secure institutional donor funding in collaboration with global, regional, and local teams, with focus on defining project focus in alignment with local needs and priorities defined by local clusters.
- Coordinate closely with the Head of Programme Quality and Development to align funding proposals with War Child’s strategic focus and donor priorities.
- In close Coordination with the oPt Country Director actively build and maintain relationships with key donors and funding consortiums, aligning War Child’s strategy with donor priorities.
- Oversee donor compliance, ensuring projects in Gaza are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality and reporting standards.
- Monitor budgets, forecast expenditures, and address funding gaps for Gaza response in coordination with the oPt Finance Unit.
- Develop implementation plans for all grants running in Gaza, ensuring timely and quality execution of commitments.
4. People and Culture Management & Capacity Building (20%)
- Being responsible for the proper application of War Child People and Culture framework, Safeguarding and Integrity Framework, HR policies and associated processes in the project (recruitment, briefing/debriefing, performance, staff learning and development, etc.) and duty of care, in coordination with the oPt HR Coordinator and Safeguarding focal point.
- Line management of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring alignment with the response’s strategic priorities, and full compliance with Country strategic directions.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination within the team within Gaza and with other teams in Country, creating a collaborative and accountable working environment.
- Manage staff rotations and surge support in Gaza to maintain team continuity and capacity in line with OCHA-led procedures.
- Update and review of the structure in Gaza according to oPt strategic direction and the programme needs in discussion and coordination with the HR Coordinator / Head of Operations with input from the Technical Coordinators, and the Country Director.
Your profile
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in leading and supporting humanitarian responses, with proven expertise in managing complex emergency operations and teams in conflict or crisis settings.
- Experience in managing multi-sectoral projects in areas such as child protection, education, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), or other relevant sectors within an emergency context.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and grants management, with experience in securing and managing funding from UNICEF, ECHO, OCHA HF, and other institutional donors.
- Proven experience working in high-risk environments, with the ability to navigate complex political, security, and operational landscapes. Previous experience in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) is highly desirable.
- Track record of working in coordination with INGOs, local partners, and UN agencies, fostering collaborative partnerships for effective program delivery and advocacy.
- Excellent understanding of humanitarian principles and standards (e.g., Sphere, IASC), and the ability to ensure that programs align with these frameworks.
- Strong financial management skills, including budget oversight, expenditure tracking, and compliance with donor regulations.
- Knowledge of monitoring systems, ensuring effective program tracking and impact measurement.
- Ability to manage risk and security protocols, ensuring the safety and well-being of staff and partners in dynamic and potentially hazardous contexts.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and support a multidisciplinary team in a high-pressure, high-risk environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, in English (Arabic is highly preferred), with the capacity to represent War Child in external settings, including donor meetings, media interactions, and coordination platforms.
- Risk management expertise, ensuring the safety and well-being of staff and partners, and implementing security protocols in collaboration with the Global Security Advisor.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, capable of addressing operational and strategic challenges efficiently under pressure.
- Proficiency in program management tools and reporting systems, with the ability to effectively track and monitor response progress, ensuring accountability and quality.
What we offer
What We Offer:
- Location : The role is based in Gaza both ceasefire and non-ceasefire conditions, with rotations as the security context allows.
- Contract : International
- Accommodation is provided in War Child’s guest house/office, requiring adaptability to basic living conditions and high levels of self-reliance.
- Professional Development: Opportunities for capacity building and growth, both within the role and through War Child’s broader network.
- Meaningful Impact: The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families affected by conflict, contributing to long-term, sustainable change.
- Equal Opportunities: War Child is an inclusive employer committed to diversity and inclusion, respecting all individuals regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.
- Workplace Culture: War Child is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace that prioritizes safety and fairness for all individuals. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying within our organization
Why You Should Apply
- Make a Real Impact: Your work will directly contribute to providing quality education to children who need it most, creating lasting change in their lives.
- Career Growth: Join a dynamic organization that values your professional development and offers opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation.
- Global Reach: Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme that operates in multiple conflict-affected regions around the world.
- Collaborative and Mission-Driven: Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners united in a mission to protect children and help them thrive despite adversity.
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply by February 18, 2025. Make sure to upload your English CV (maximum of two pages) and cover letter by using this hyperlink:
We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended.
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By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.
War Child is an international organisation, and we are committed to be a diverse and inclusive employer, placing human and child rights at the centre of our existence and work. We hire our new colleagues based on their talents, competences and shared values; we do not distinguish them based on their age, gender and gender identity, race, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, disability etc.
The safety of children and youth is a paramount and essential to War Child’s work. War Child has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of abuse. To prevent placing children and youth at any risk this subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures. Moreover, the accepted candidates will be required to state their commitment/ intent to be aware, consider and adhere to the minimum standards applicable in development and humanitarian settings, such as humanitarian values and principles, Sphere Humanitarian Charter, Standards in the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, Core Humanitarian Standard, International Humanitarian Law, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Disclaimer
- Only applications received via our website are processed.
- If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
- It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.
About War Child
The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. War Child has a presence in 19 countries: Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Colombia, Burundi, DR Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/
Safeguarding
War Child is committed to humanitarian values, standards and norms and we expect the same from job applicants. War Child is especially committed to safeguarding the children and youth we support and doesn’t tolerate any form of abuse. Because we want to prevent and deter any actions that place children and youth at risk, conduct references are an important part of our recruitment procedure. As part of the selection process, War Child will request standardized references in accordance with the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and a recent Criminal Records statement.
About us
At War Child, we work to ensure that children affected by violence and armed conflict can realise their fundamental rights and build a better future – both for themselves and their communities. If you want to contribute to our mission, we want to hear from you. If there is currently no vacancy that fits your skills and interests, please have a look at another time.