Head of Operations

About Reprieve

Reprieve works with the most disenfranchised people in society. Our aim is simple: to consign the death penalty and abuses carried out in the name of “counter-terrorism” or “national security” to history, drawing public and political attention to these past harms with a view to preventing them from occurring again.

In our view, you can best judge a society by how it treats prisoners, criminal defendants, and the far-flung targets of an ever-changing counter-terror policy. To us, the rule of law means little if we selectively apply it to people we agree with. It is for all of us. Liberty is always eroded at the margins.

Reprieve’s staff is made up of courageous and committed human rights defenders. Founded in 1999, we provide free legal and investigative support to people facing the death penalty and those victimised by states’ abusive counter-terror policies – rendition, torture, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killing.

We fight our clients’ cases in courts around the world; investigate their mistreatment; and advocate on their behalf, encouraging public and political debate of human rights issues.

About the role:

The Head of Operations will oversee the day-to-day running of the global operations of Reprieve UK and Reprieve US and our work around the globe.

They will be responsible for assisting with planning, implementing, overseeing, and evaluating the systems, processes and relationships that enable caseworkers, fellows, and consultants to do the challenging work that they do as efficiently, safely and effectively as possible. They will help devise creative solutions to build a flexible and supportive environment in which staff can carry out their work.

The Head of Operations will work closely with and supervise the work of the HR Operations Manager and the Office and Executive Support Officer. Reporting to a member of the Senior Management Team, they will provide support to the Joint Executive Directors as well as broader staff team, Fellows and consultants.

About you:

You will be someone who is confident in overseeing a wide remit including:

• Human Resources
• Security Risk Management incl. Health and Safety and Duty of Care
• Insurance
• Office & Budget Management
• Information Technology & Cyber Security
• General Operations

This role also oversees accounts payable and the annual audit for our sister organisation Reprieve US (working with our US based US qualified accountant).

You are a positive person with a can-do attitude, extensive experience in operations management and security risk management, experience of managing or supervising individuals and teams, proven ability to manage conflicting priorities and a strong problem solver.

The Operations team is a small team that works collaboratively to ensure all areas are covered at all times. As such, you will be willing to chip in and take on tasks of other team members if urgent matters arise or when providing holiday cover.

Further information  

This role is based in Reprieve’s London office. Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work 40% per week from the London office and the rest of the week from home. You will also be available outside of office hours in the event of an emergency and when required as part of the security risk management framework (for example to monitor extreme risk trips).

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK currently and for the duration of the contract, which will be checked prior to interview.

How to apply:

Please click on “Apply via website” to download our candidate pack for the full job description, person specification, and the application form. Only applications made by use of the application form can be accepted.

Application deadline: 23:59 GMT 03 November 2024.