Chief Executive Officer

The deadline for applications is Sunday 1st December 2024.

Location: London, minutes from Old Street Station

Location type: Hybrid

Reporting to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Annual salary: Upwards of £105K GBP

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours:  Full-time (35 per week worked on a hybrid basis)

Candidate level:  Chief Executive Officer

MAP’s Mission

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. MAP is the leading UK charity delivering health and medical care to those worst affected by conflict, occupation, and displacement in the occupied Palestinian territory and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

Job Purpose

MAP is in a period of ambitious growth and rapid development, as we respond to the massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and in the West Bank and Lebanon. The role of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is to provide leadership, drive and direction in the development and delivery of MAP’s new strategic ambition, maximising the charity’s sustainable impact.

This is a key role for MAP, and it is expected that the job holder would be making a long-term commitment to the organisation. The post-holder will be tasked with leading MAP to deliver on the strategic ambition of becoming a high impact, global £50 M+ income organisation which enables over 1 million Palestinians to access improved healthcare annually by 2028.  MAP’s income in 2023 was £35 M and the forecast for 2024 is £47 M.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

Vision and leadership

• Provide vision, leadership, direction and drive to achieve MAP’s strategic ambition and mission.
• Drive forward organisational transformation, together with the Senior Management Team, always remaining true to MAP’s values and focus on being locally led.
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees and its appointed committees are supported in their responsibility to ensure robust governance of MAP and provide advice and information to the Trustees regarding organisational performance and direction.
• Ensure that the organisation embeds a focus on impact and the use of data in decision-making, course corrected as necessary during its development.
• Strengthen and protect MAP’s reputation externally and internally at all times, ensuring the effective mitigation and management of risks.

External relations and influence

• Act as an advocate and spokesperson for MAP at the highest level with the UK and other governments, the UN and similar institutions - building relationships that maximise the organisation’s influence over policies and practices that affect the health and dignity of Palestinians.
• Ensure MAP continues to develop strong relationships of trust with partners and networks central to MAP’s way of working. 
• Represent MAP effectively in the national and international media, enhancing the charity’s image and profile.
• Actively promote and represent MAP while maintaining our commitment to ensuring the Palestinian people we serve have access to international forums and are provided with a platform to speak out about issues impacting their right to health. 

Organisational development

• Work with the senior management team (SMT) to provide effective and inspirational leadership across the range of MAP’s functions and offices, creating a culture focused on impact, and an inclusive, values-driven working environment.
• Ensure the development and delivery of high-quality programmes that further MAP’s organisational objectives and meet the needs of the Palestinian communities living under occupation and as refugees.
• Oversee the development and implementation of MAP’s advocacy and communications strategy in a highly sensitive, rapidly changing environment.
• Ensure the development of robust systems for the close monitoring of financial budgets and forecasts.
• Ensure that MAP’s new fundraising strategy is successfully implemented and delivers against targets on sustainable income growth.
• Assess new markets for MAP to fundraise in and recommend a way forward on investment to the Board.
• Ensure that there is a robust approach to risk management, safeguarding, safety and security, due diligence, audit, and compliance with charity and company law and guidelines, and local and other relevant regulatory requirements.

General responsibilities

• Support the mission, ethos and values of MAP.
• Support and promote diversity, inclusivity and equality of opportunity in the workplace and externally
• Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experienced leader in the non-profit sector or public sector in a relevant field, preferably with experience of international development and work in complex, protracted emergencies.
• Track record of driving organisational change and delivering clear results.
• Experience implementing strategies and using data to inform decision-making.
• Experience of working with a Board and a good understanding of charity governance.
• Working at the Executive Director level or equivalent as part of the senior management team within a complex organisation with geographical spread.
• Evidence of understanding the needs of Palestinian communities living under occupation and as refugees.
• Evidence of understanding the complex political and diplomatic landscape charities working with Palestinians operate in.
• A clear understanding of the importance of shifting the balance of power and influence for disadvantaged groups and empowering marginalised communities.
• Line management of senior staff, preferably including management of staff at remote locations, and experience managing a diverse workforce.
• Track record of leading and representing organisations with multiple stakeholders and relationships and of building strong relationships of trust with partners and allies.
• Experience in managing programmes and substantial budgets and resources.
• Experience communicating and influencing effectively with external audiences to influence outcomes such as government, parliament, donors and the media.
• Working in the international sector preferably in the Middle East and/or working in conflict settings.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• A record of high-impact leadership in a fast-paced organisation working in difficult settings. 
• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills, including public speaking and media work.
• Sound financial management.
• Ability to inspire, empower and support people to achieve organisational objectives and sustained high levels of performance.
• Strong emotional intelligence and personal integrity
• Diplomatic skills and political judgement.
• Ability to thrive under pressure and to navigate complex topics with significant scrutiny.

Personal attributes and other requirements    

• Able to travel extensively, mainly to Israel, Palestine and Lebanon.
• Able to work some evenings and weekends.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice, inclusivity and equal opportunities. 
• Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination.

Terms and Conditions

This job description reflects the key requirements of the role and does not form part of your contract of employment. It can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require and as appropriate to the role.

An offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and social media checks.

The deadline for applications is Sunday December 1st, 2024.

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Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required; irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation.