​​​​This role is offered on a hybrid contract giving you the opportunity to also work from home three days a week.

Purpose of job:​ 

The Head: Shifting the Power programme is responsible for leading and delivering the Shifting the Power programme.   This long term, transformative, civil society strengthening programme, co-funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has an overarching aim of shifting greater power to civil society, and is operational in Ghana, Zambia and Malawi. Learning from the programme will influence Comic Relief’s wider funding practice, and intentionally seek to disrupt ways of working in the wider funder ecosystem.   

This role will report to the Director of Funding and work with colleagues from across Comic Relief, with FCDO and with other external stakeholders, to ensure the success of the programme.  This role will also communicate about, and advocate for, the Shifting the Power programme, seeking wider impact from the programme, and the shifting of power more widely, both internally and externally.   

Interviews will consist of two stages. The first will take place on 20/03/2023 (via Zoom) and the second interview will take place on the 25/03/2023 (in person.)  

​​Key responsibilities: ​  

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the FCDO Shifting the Power programme within CR, collaboratively leading CR team members to deliver the programme in line with objectives. 

• Advocate internally within CR, and externally within the wider sector for the Shifting the Power programme and for power shifting more widely.   

• Act as a focal point within CR for the Shifting the Power programme, co-ordinating communications about the programme outside of CR as appropriate. 

• Work cross-organisationally to ensure understanding of the StP programme is embedded and contributes to delivery of our organisational strategy through effective storytelling, fundraising and public engagement. 

• Take personal responsibility for high risk, valuable, or complex relationships within this programme. 

• Work closely with colleagues in the Assurance and Finance teams to ensure specialist, technical input is received in relation to financial, contractual, reputational, or safeguarding risk.  

• Work closely with others on the theory of change for this programme, ensuring clear learning objectives and impact measurements.  

• Externally champion Comic Relief within the social change sector, influencing best practice on forward thinking and innovative funding practice and de-colonizing philanthropy; attending key events, convening and collaboration. 

• Develop and sustain relationships with key strategic partners and stakeholders invested in the Shifting the Power movement, convening and leading conversations as appropriate (for example, build relationships with other funders on the StP journey)  

• Some travel (including international) will be required for this role. 

People management 

• Proactively undertake business planning, prioritise activities and set clear and realistic objectives based on capacity, expertise and aspirations. 

• Lead, manage and support direct line reports through regular one–to–ones and clear performance objectives and KPIs and create a culture of collaboration and flexibility within the team.. 

• Provide balanced, constructive feedback, undertake effective performance management to embed accountability and proactively support the professional development and growth of staff. 

• Maintain regular two-way communication and dialogue with staff, ensuring information is cascaded and escalated as needed. 

• Model an enabling, inclusive and empowering leadership style that builds a values-based culture throughout the charity. 

• Support the Director of Funding in leading the wider Funding department through participation in the Funding Department Leadership Team.  

  This role will include international travel.

​​Person specification​ 

​​Essential criteria​ 

• Commitment to theory and practicality of shifting the power methodology  

• Extensive knowledge of the structures and injustices that keep people trapped in poverty. 

• Significant experience and knowledge of grant-making and programme design 

• Leadership experience, including managing and motivating a team effectively to achieve high quality outcomes. 

• Significant experience of collaborative working in challenging environments, including building relationships across multiple organisations and hierarchies to problem solve and build change.  

• Proven track record of developing and sustaining key partnerships in complex environments to influence the sector and achieve impact.   

• Thorough understanding and commitment to the use of storytelling and creativity to engage public and partners towards our vision of a just world free from poverty. 

• Excellent communication skills, able to present and interact with a range of stakeholders and influence decision makers.  

• Proven track record of working in alignment with Comic Relief’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, and equity. 

• Budget management and financial reporting experience. 

​​Desirable criteria​ 

• Understanding of the philanthropic sector in the UK and Global South 

• Experience of living and working in the Global South. 

• Demonstrable understanding of the complex nature of systemic change. 

• Ability to collate and analyse data quickly and effectively

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about our employee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London,. There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work.

Disability Confident employer

 As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV and application questions.

We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email j.scott@comicrelief.com to discuss further. Please do not email CV's/cover letters