Programme Manager, Gulf Sustain

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

In 2022, IHRB launched Gulf Sustain, a regional initiative working to advance workers’ rights in the green transition of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Gulf Sustain aims to develop knowledge, drive dialogue, and promote stronger policies, accountability, and collaboration on an integrated approach to achieving environmental commitments while advancing the welfare of all workers as GCC countries look to diversify their economies and increase investments in non-hydrocarbon sectors. Gulf Sustain’s aspiration and approach are to deliver impact by building leverage through collective action.

The programme managerwill play a critical role in supporting implementation of the programme’s multi-year strategy, including through stakeholder engagement, the delivery of strategic dialogues and other activities, and contributing to executing the programme’s communication strategy. This will include supporting with administrative tasks;producing content including social media posts, newsletters, policy briefs and articles; and working with the wider Gulf Sustain and IHRB team to ensure seamless execution of the programme. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role with strong knowledge of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region.

Expected Impact and Outcomes:

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• Advancing execution of the programme’s strategy and contributing to programme management
  
  
  
• Contributing to the execution of Gulf Sustain’s communications strategy
  
  
  
• Undertaking research and generating actionable insights to support evidence-based decision-making
  
  
  
• Representing Gulf Sustain through events, delivery of activities/strategic dialogues, engaging with stakeholders across the GCC, etc.
  

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The Role

Title: Programme Manager, Gulf Sustain
Reporting to: Gulf Sustain Manager, with a dotted line to the Deputy CEO
Start date: October 2024
Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) or part time (30 hours per week)
Location and Travel: Remote/Home-based, preferably within 1-3 hours of GMT timezone. Must be within easy access to travel across the GCC on a semi-regular basis. Candidates must have permission to work in the country of their location.  Travel will be required for this role, sometimes at short notice.
We particularly encourage applications from individuals in regions where we currently have a limited presence (e.g. Africa, Middle East, Central America, South America), as well as those from backgrounds typically underrepresented in our field.
Duration: 1 year, with 3-month probationary period. Potential to extend, subject to funding.
Pay: £45,000 - 58,000 subject to level of experience
Good to know: The successful candidate will be engaged through a consultancy agreement. They will need to be registered as self-employed and will be responsible for managing their own taxes, insurance, and any other legal or financial obligations.

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Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Gulf Sustain Manager, and working closely with other IHRB teams & external consultants, the Coordinator will support in various tasks, including but not limited to:

Stakeholder Engagement & Convening (30%)

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• Growing the profile of Gulf Sustain through strategic stakeholder identification, relationship management and trust building with new and existing contacts
  
• Serve as a programme and IHRB spokesperson at external events and other networking opportunities
  
• Organise and facilitate multilateral and sectoral convenings, including participant and speaker outreach, stakeholder management, agenda development, event summary drafting and other event follow up tasks. Delivery of such events will require travel across the GCC region.
  

Research & Communications (25%)

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• Identifying new opportunities for research related to Gulf Sustain’s mission and objectives
  
• Working with IHRB’s Communications team and Senior Advisors to develop materials promoting Gulf Sustain’s research and policy work. This may include, but is not limited to, producing newsletters, articles, policy briefs and research summaries.
  
• Supporting Gulf Sustain and the Communications team in executing its communication strategy and key messages including creating and/or editing a variety of content across social media channels particularly LinkedIn.
  

Programme Support & Collaboration across IHRB (25%)

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• Contribute to day to day programmatic management, including team calls and Steering Committee meetings; preparation of presentations, management of external consultants, among others.
  
• Proactively work with other IHRB teams, particularly the Migrant Workers and Just Transitions Programmes, to identify synergies and opportunities for ongoing collaboration
  
• Monitor progress in line with Gulf Sustain’s monitoring and evaluation framework, existing deliverables and execution of planned activities
  

Influence & Advisory (15%)

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• Contributing to the programme’s overall strategy, including the identification
  and development of new initiatives
  
• Identifying practical leverage points to influence policy and decision-making
  by business leaders and policymakers
  

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Fundraising and Donor Management (5%)

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• Supporting donor identification, research and funding proposals
  
• Tracking donor deliverables, supporting meeting preparations and reporting outputs
  

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Skills and Experience

Key skills & experience 

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  Project management: Demonstrable experience of contributing to the management of projects with multiple partners that span across countries and years.
  

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  Stakeholder engagement: Proven track record of engaging with diverse stakeholders in previous roles
  

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  Communications: Proven track record of contributing to the execution of a communications strategy and creating content/key messages. Ability to write and present clear, well researched pieces of content based on internal briefings.
  

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  Event management and facilitation: Demonstrable experience of organising collaborative, inclusive multilateral dialogue events that build trust and alignment.
  

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  Language: Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English and Arabic required.
  
  
  
  
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  Diplomacy: Ability to undertake work with awareness of political and commercial sensitivities and careful diplomacy
  

Bonus skills & experience (not necessary but may be advantageous)

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• At least 2 years of work experience in a similar role.
  

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• Excellent understanding of and strong interest in issues relating to migrant workers’ rights and the social dimensions of climate action,in worker welfare and/or climate action and experience working on related policy issues.
  

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• Strong writing and research skills.
  

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• Proven experience working with topics relevant to or actors operating in the GCC region
  

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Attitude

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  Proactive and self-motivating: Proven ability to be proactive, self-motivating, and a team player with experience working in a remote environment
  
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  Commitment to inclusion: Commitment to supporting an inclusive and diverse team, ensuring a supportive working environment for our global team
  
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  Flexible and adaptable: Ability to adjust aspects of the work, timelines and working style as needed to cater to the realities of a small and nimble organisation
  
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  Diplomatic and tactful: Treating others respectfully and sensitively regardless of personal biases or beliefs, acting as a bridge builder and peacekeeper
  

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Timeline & Process

Click Apply and upload your CV and cover letter.In your cover letter you should address your suitability for this role based on the relevant skills and experience outlined in this job description.

In your covering email, please state:

1. 
   
2. If you are applying for the full time role or part time role
   
3. Your earliest possible start date
   
4. Where you saw the vacancy advertised
   

Deadline for applications: 16 September 2024, 9.00am CET.

First interviews will be held week beginning 23 September 2024, via video call. Short-listed candidates will be notified and invited by email. Only successful applicants will be notified.

Expected start date: October 2024, or as soon as possible.A job offer will be subject to the receipt of at least two satisfactory references.