Position: Full-time, permanent*.
Reports to: Director, Policy and Advocacy.
Travel: Up to 25%.

The ‘Zurich Alliance’ is an alliance of ten organisations including INGOs, private sector and research organisations, who have come together with the support of the Zurich Foundation to drive better policy and practice to reduce the negative impact of floods on people’s and communities’ ability to thrive. Over five years the partners will together implement a combination of pilot programmes, research, knowledge management and influence to persuade donors, policy-makers and practitioners to invest more and more effectively in flood prevention and preparedness.

Mercy Corps is leading the ‘influencing and advocacy’ work within the Alliance, as well as making substantial contributions to workstreams on knowledge management/learning, research/evidence, and piloting innovative field programming with communities, business and government. 

We are looking to appoint a Head of Zurich Resilience Alliance, who will lead our contribution to the Alliance (coordinating programmes, research and influence) and for leading the influencing workstream of the Alliance as a whole.

You will have:
• Experience of leading large, collaborative alliances or partnerships, and of internal management of donor funded initiatives;
• A track record in the development of strategy to influence the policies and practices of national, regional and international institutions;
• Demonstrable knowledge of resilience building, climate change, international development or a related field;
• Strong academic and policy research credentials;
• Demonstrable budget management and leadership skills.

An excellent communicator, and an engaging public speaker and private advocate, you will have a clear passion for the sector and the issues connected with this role. You will be skilled in understanding and assimilating complex technical and policy issues, and communicating them effectively to a range of audiences. Highly organised and able to deliver complex projects to deadline, you will have the confidence, enthusiasm and experience to lead a small team and drive forward our messages.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment.

*The post is tied to a 5-year grant from The Z Zurich Foundation.