About Us
GOAL has responded to the world's major humanitarian crises since its founding in 1977, working with vulnerable communities in 14 countries across the globe with a dedicated team of personnel. While GOAL continues to be an agile first-responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery.
Job Purpose
We are seeking a Deputy Director of Programme Operations to join our senior leadership team and help drive operational excellence across our global portfolio of humanitarian and development programmes. This is a new strategic leadership role reporting to the Director of International Programmes & Operations, with significant responsibility for leading programme operations, people management (4 Direct Reports) organisational performance, and risk management across multiple regions.
**This is a full time, permanent position based in our HQ in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin but with regular international travel required**
About the Role
You'll play a critical role in ensuring our country programmes have the leadership, systems, support, and operational oversight needed to deliver impact in some of the world's most complex operating environments. You will act as a key partner to Regional Directors and Country Directors, helping translate GOAL's strategy into effective action while ensuring programmes remain efficient, accountable, safe, and responsive to the needs of communities we serve.
You will also provide leadership oversight to global safety and access functions and deputise for the Director of International Programmes & Operations when required. This is an opportunity for an experienced humanitarian professional who combines strategic thinking with practical operational expertise and who understands the realities of both country programme leadership and HQ decision-making.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Providing Strategic Leadership
- Leading and strengthening operational performance across multiple regions and country programmes.
- Working closely with regional and country leadership teams to align priorities, improve programme quality, and drive organisational performance.
- Supporting organisational strategy implementation and ensuring strong collaboration between programme, finance, HR, logistics, compliance, and technical teams.
Strengthening Global Programme Operations
- Overseeing operational performance reviews and driving continuous improvement.
- Supporting effective decision-making through reporting, risk management, and performance monitoring systems.
- Ensuring strong coordination between HQ and field teams while promoting learning and best practice across the organisation.
Leading and Developing People
- Directly managing senior programme leaders across multiple regions.
- Building leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and talent development.
- Fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Managing Risk and Supporting Emergency Response
- Providing oversight of programme risk management frameworks and crisis response readiness.
- Supporting organisational preparedness for emergency deployments and responses.
- Ensuring safety, security, and access considerations are embedded in programme planning and implementation.
Representing the Organisation Externally
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with institutional donors and strategic partners.
- Supporting funding opportunities, donor engagement, and organisational representation at senior levels.
- Contributing to board reporting and strategic communications.
About You
We are looking for a confident and credible humanitarian leader who has successfully navigated both field and HQ environments and who can operate effectively at strategic and operational levels.
You'll bring:
- Significant experience living and working in humanitarian contexts, ideally across Africa and/or the Middle East and/or Latin America.
- 10 years' experience leading programme operations in humanitarian or fragile settings.
- Senior leadership experience within an international NGO or humanitarian organisation.
- Experience managing multi-country programmes or regional portfolios.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian operations, organisational risk management, donor compliance, security management, and emergency response.
- proven track record of leading change, improving performance, and strengthening teams.
- Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to complex and fragile operating environments.
Why Join Us?
- This is a rare opportunity to help shape and strengthen humanitarian programmes that reach millions of people across multiple countries.
- You will join a passionate global team committed to delivering high-quality humanitarian assistance and long-term development impact,
- You'll play key role in shaping operational strategy, developing future leaders, and supporting emergency responses around the world.
**GOAL offers staff flexible working with our hybrid model, we require our HQ employees to work 2 days per week from our office in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin**
We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single requirement listed. At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please just contact our Recruitment Team at [email protected]
GOAL commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We foster an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued, we are particularly eager to receive applications from women (and other underrepresented groups). We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL's commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Accountability within GOAL
A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL's integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) Comply with GOAL's policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.
Safeguarding
Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.
General Terms and Conditions
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.
