Vacancy: Head of Emergency Programme

Cultural Emergency Response (CER) coordinates and supports locally-led protection of heritage under threat. Focused on cultural first aid, we provide fast and flexible financial support and expertise to protect cultural heritage in immediate response to disaster or conflict. In direct collaboration with our Regional Hubs and local experts, we act fast to prevent the loss of endangered cultural heritage, ensure cultural continuity, and build resilience in affected communities. We also work with heritage communities to prepare for crises and mitigate potential risks to cultural heritage.

Beyond emergency response, we work to shift the power through our inclusive and accessible approach. We strengthen decentralised systems for heritage protection, train heritage experts, share knowledge, and advocate for cultural heritage as an essential element of humanitarian relief and recovery. To maximise our impact, we collaborate across borders and sectors with a wide network of partners and donors to protect heritage in crisis situations, often in the world's most vulnerable areas.

We believe in a future where cultural heritage is recognised as vital to the well-being of people and communities and its protection is seen as a humanitarian need. To lead our emergency grant mechanism, coordinate our collaborations, and contribute to this mission we are looking for a:

Head of Emergency Programme

36 hours per week (full time)

Tasks & Responsibilities

As Head of Emergency Programme you are responsible for the implementation, development, and coordination of our emergency grant programmes and strategic partnerships. You drive our emergency response actions and pooled funding initiatives, and lead and motivate the team in our capacity building initiatives and proactive network development with local and international stakeholders to ensure our fast and efficient response in times that it matters most.

In this role, you will:

• Lead CER's emergency response grant programme, ensuring effective implementation, monitoring, and (narrative and financial) reporting. You drive and lead the team in our emergency response actions, often in close coordination with the manager of the CER Network of Regional Hubs.
• Manage and oversee our programme grants and maintain communication with partners and back donors to uphold transparency and accountability.
• Contribute to and initiate the development and improvement of programme strategies and implementation mechanisms and support the director in shaping and advancing CER's institutional strategy.
• Develop and manage our strategic partnerships with our network of local partners and international stakeholders to ensure coordinated responses and amplify our collaborative impact.
• Represent CER on external, multi-stakeholder platforms to expand networks, promote CER's mission, and secure support for our work.
• Lead the monitoring and evaluation of CER emergency activities, ensuring lessons learned are shared and integrated into the organisation’s strategies and share insights to enhance CER's operational and strategic effectiveness.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including to relationship-building with donors, updating stakeholders, contributing to emergency fundraising campaigns, and proposal development, in collaboration with the director and the fundraising team.
• Contribute to CER's communication and advocacy efforts by collaborating to highlight successful interventions and share impactful stories.
• Manage and support a team of currently two project coordinators, collaborating with them to ensure effective implementation of CER activities and contributing to team development.

Your Profile

We are looking for someone with:

• An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in a relevant field in heritage, humanitarian response, international relations, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience, including 3+ years managing teams, preferably in an international or cross-sectoral organisation.
• Specialised expertise in heritage protection, humanitarian response, and/or geopolitics.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with a track record in strategic and financial planning and implementation, project management and budgeting, and grant coordination.
• Flexibility and ability to lead and set priorities in a rapidly changing environment, with a positive, proactive attitude.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to lead and work effectively with colleagues and partners across different cultures and geographies.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to tailor to different audiences, make (new) connections and to publicly represent and promote CER at various platforms
• Professional level proficiency in English (written and oral), and preferably in Dutch. Knowledge of other languages is considered an asset (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic).
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Living in (the vicinity of) Amsterdam or willing to move there.
• Eligibility to work in the EU, without requiring visa sponsorship.

We are looking to fill this position with an ideal start date in April 2025.

What We Offer

At CER, you will work in a challenging and rewarding position on an international level in an ambitious and inspiring organisation. You will be part of a small and dedicated team and will work closely with wide global network of partners and supporters. You will take up an indispensable role in realising our core mission and will contribute to the long-term sustainability, development and growth of CER.

We offer:

• A gross monthly salary within our salary scale H ranging between ca. €3.749 and €5.109 (based on 36 hours; 1 fte) depending on knowledge and experience.
• A one-year contract, with the possibility of extension.
• A unique working place in a brand-new office based in the city centre of Amsterdam, which is shared with other leading Dutch organisations for international cultural collaboration. We work hybrid – partly from the office, and from home.
• Attractive secondary employment conditions, among which 8% holiday allowance, an NS-Business Card, a good pension scheme, and access to mental health and well-being support.
• Opportunities for growth and development, courses, and training opportunities.

Cultural Emergency Response strives to be an inclusive environment and is fully committed to this in the recruitment, selection and placement of staff. All interested parties, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, or gender are welcome to apply and will be considered equally. We believe that diversity and inclusion among the staff is critical to our success and want to enhance the diversity of our workforce to reflect the world we live in.

To Apply

Are you interested? To apply, please share with us your CV and motivation letter in one PDF file to the attention of Sanne Letschert, Director Cultural Emergency Response, via info@culturalemergency.org, subject Vacancy Head of Emergency Programme.

The deadline for applications is 9 February 2025.

The interviews are planned in February. If you have any questions regarding the vacancy, feel free to contact us at info@culturalemergency.org.