Humanitarian Unit Lead

Maternity Cover | Full-time | Prague, Czech Republic (with travel up to 20%)

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Humanitarian Unit Lead to oversee the day-to-day operations of the HU. In this role, you will lead a team of humanitarian professionals, shape emergency response strategies, and support country programmes in delivering high-quality humanitarian aid. You will also drive PIN’s global humanitarian positioning, engage with key donors, and contribute to cross-organizational initiatives.

This is a maternity cover position, starting in April 2025.

Your Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Management of the Humanitarian Unit

• Provide strategic leadership and line management to HU members, including the Surge team.

• Oversee HU’s annual workplans, budgets, and deployment of technical resources.

• Ensure PIN maintains a strong and effective emergency response capacity.

• Work closely with HR on the management of the Emergency Roster.

2. Driving PIN’s Emergency Response & Recovery Strategy

• Lead the development and implementation of PIN’s Emergency Response & Recovery (ERR) Strategy.

• Ensure evidence-based programming and continuous learning across humanitarian projects.

• Strengthen engagement with global donors, partners, and humanitarian networks.

• Represent PIN at key international platforms, advocating for effective humanitarian action.

3. Supporting Emergency Responses & Strategic Humanitarian Initiatives

• Provide technical and operational support for emergency responses in PIN’s country programmes.

• Leading response to crisis in new countries without PIN presence

• Support the establishment of new humanitarian operations, ensuring strategic alignment.

• Undertake short-term field assignments to fill critical gaps or strengthen response efforts.

4. Coordination & External Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between HU and PIN’s senior management on humanitarian programming.

• Facilitate collaboration with internal teams, including Institutional Fundraising, MEAL, and Logistics.

• Represent PIN in humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including UN clusters and donor forums.

• Contribute to humanitarian advocacy, communications, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

What We Are Looking For:

• 8+ years of humanitarian experience, including at least 4 years in field-based roles in crisis contexts.

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing humanitarian teams and programmes.

• In-depth knowledge of humanitarian standards, coordination mechanisms, and response frameworks.

• Proven ability in strategy development, programme design, and donor engagement (e.g., DG ECHO, BHA, FCDO, UN agencies).

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and networking skills.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Willingness to travel 20% of the time to support emergency operations.

• Commitment to PIN’s mission, values, and humanitarian principles.

PIN Offers:

• Background and professionalism of the largest Czech non-governmental organization

• Interesting and creative work with international reach

• Opportunities for professional and personal development

• Starting salary depending on your experience; 54,400 – 63,000 CZK for a full-time job

• PIN supports professional and personal development

• 25 days of annual leave

• 3 days of sick leave

• Home office upon agreement

• Multisport card

• Child day care for employees’ children (kindergarten in the building of our office)

• Open and informal organizational culture

• Possibility to participate in interesting events we organize (e.g. One World international film festival)

• Extensive Capacity Building program – internal and external - Induction training, internal e-learnings, Knowledge and Learning Department onboarding

• Friendly colleagues with similar values

Please Note: The position is based at PIN’s Head Office in Prague. Please note that PIN does not provide accommodation, relocation support, travel expenses to the home country or similar benefits.

How to apply:

Are you interested in this position? Great. Send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.

Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct, and is committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves.

People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at:https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.