Head of Projects

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) is the leading international think tank on business and human rights. IHRB’s mission is to shape policy, advance practice, and strengthen accountability in order to make respect for human rights part of everyday business. Overview IHRB is recruiting a Head of Projects – Migration to lead and integrate our work at the intersection of migration, labour rights, and climate transitions. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across three core streams: responsible recruitment, our work in the GCC, and IHRB’s emerging work on climate adaptation, which is primarily led by the Head of Just Transitions. This is a cross-cutting leadership role designed for a matrix structure: you will coordinate delivery with programme teams and colleagues across IHRB, steward relationships with government, business, and philanthropic donors, and ensure financial sustainability and measurable impact across the portfolio. Expected Impact and Outcomes: A clear, resourced strategy for IHRB’s work on Migration & Labour Rights that aligns with IHRB’s mission High-quality delivery across our GCC, responsible recruitment, and climate adaptation workstreams, with coherent objectives, plans, and impact tracking Strengthened and diversified funding, including excellent stewardship of philanthropic and government donors and growth in the funder base year‑on‑year Robust budget ownership, forecasting, and donor reporting across the portfolio; programmes contribute proportionately to core costs Strong, inclusive team culture in a matrix environment - clear roles, accountability, and development pathways. Increased visibility and influence of IHRB’s work with business, investors, governments, and civil society on migration, labour rights, and climate transitions. Effective cross‑programme collaboration and shared learning across IHRB The Role Reporting to: Deputy CEO Expected start date: January / February 2026 Hours: Full‑time (5 days, 37.5 hours per week) Duration: Initial 12‑month contract, with 3‑month probationary period. Potential to extend, subject to funding. Location: Remote/Home‑based, location flexible and must have reasonable overlap with CET working hours and accessibility to travel across Europe and the GCC. Candidates must already have permission to work in the country of their location. Pay: £65,000-75,000, depending on depth of experience in programme management and fundraising Good to know: Your contract type will depend on where you are based, which we can discuss with you in more detail. We are a UK‑based organisation, therefore if you are based outside of the UK you will be engaged through a consultancy agreement. You would need to be registered as self‑employed in your country of residence and would be responsible for managing your own taxes, insurance, and any other legal or financial obligations. Annual leave: 36 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays. Additional leave for office closure through the December holiday period We're fully remote: Our team are based around the world, though most of our meetings take place during GMT hours. Your Responsibilities Programme Management: Financial and Operational Management (40%) Lead strategic direction and delivery for Gulf Sustain, responsible recruitment, and climate & migration, ensuring alignment with IHRB’s overall strategy and the Just Transitions programme. Translate strategy into annual plans, goals, and risk registers; monitor progress and course‑correct as needed. Identify opportunities for collective action and coalition‑building with business, finance, government, unions, civil society, and international organisations. Anticipate regional and global trends across labour migration, responsible recruitment, and climate transitions and reflect them in programme design. Own portfolio budgets: forecasting, scenario planning, value‑for‑money, and variance management. Ensure systems/processes for effective delivery (e.g., workplans, contact management, grants tracking, MEL/impact), working closely with Operations and Finance. Manage programme risks (including reputational and safeguarding) and put in place appropriate mitigations. Fundraising & Donor Relations (30%) Own donor stewardship for the portfolio, with particular focus on philanthropic and government donors; maintain excellent relationships and compliance. Identify and secure new funding (government, business and philanthropic) to complement existing grants; lead compelling proposals and budgets. Ensure timely, high‑quality donor reporting, audits, and evaluations. Representation, Partnerships & Influence (15%) Represent IHRB externally, including at high‑level events and in the media; act as a credible spokesperson on migration, labour rights, and climate intersections. Build strategic partnerships with governments, business, financial actors, civil society, and multilateral bodies. Support convenings and flagship forums within the portfolio, ensuring meaningful participation of affected groups and human rights defenders. Convene dialogues that enable business to play a constructive role in addressing migration and labour rights challenges. Team Leadership & Matrix Collaboration (15%) Line‑manage core team members and oversee consultants; set clear objectives and support growth and performance. Model inclusive, respectful leadership that enables colleagues across time zones; coordinate effectively with other Heads and cross‑programme functions. Build clear ways of working in the matrix (decision rights, escalation paths, information flows). Experience, Skills & Culture Add Valuable Experience: Programme leadership: track record leading multi‑year, multi‑stakeholder programmes and delivering measurable outcomes in complex contexts. Fundraising and donor relations expertise: proven stewardship of philanthropic and government donors and compliance with their requirements; strong fundraising track record. Financial acumen: confident owning sizable budgets, forecasting, and translating financials into decisions. Subject knowledge in migration, labour rights, and/or just transitions sufficient to be credible with partners and media. Strong understanding of how businesses operate, and experience influencing corporate behaviour and/or engaging business stakeholders on human rights issues. Programme management: excellent planning, prioritisation, and execution; builds clear systems and accountability. Collaboration & communication: outstanding relationship‑building and communication skills; effective across cultures and time zones; comfortable representing the organisation publicly. Values & judgement: commitment to human rights; sound political judgement and risk awareness. Helpful if you have, not a dealbreaker if you don’t… Regional experience related to the GCC and/or major migration corridors. Additional languages relevant to the portfolio, in particular Arabic. How you can contribute to our culture: Compassionate: takes a human‑first, empathetic approach, particularly when working on issues affecting migrant workers and vulnerable groups. Entrepreneurial: proactive in spotting opportunities for funding, partnerships, and influence; creative in approach. Inclusive: ensures affected stakeholders, partners, and colleagues feel heard and meaningfully included. Diligent: careful and thoughtful in decision‑making, with strong attention to donor requirements and programme delivery. Flexible & Adaptable: thrives in a matrix structure and can adjust to shifting contexts and priorities with resilience. How to apply Please submit a CV and a brief cover letter describing how your experience aligns with the key skills we are looking for, your track record with government and philanthropic donors, and one example of a complex programme you have led (objectives, budget, delivery, and impact). Shortlisted candidates will complete a practical task and panel interview. Timeline & Process Deadline for applications: 9am CET on 2nd December 2025. We will be reviewing applications as they come in, so please don't wait until the deadline to apply. First interviews will be held the week of 8th December via video call. Second interviews for the final candidates will involve a task, and will be held the second week of December or early January as needed. Expected start date: January / February 2026, depending on timelines of interviews around the holiday period and the successful candidate's notice period. #J-18808-Ljbffr