Head of Strategy
Front Line Defenders are recruiting a Head of Strategy to
join our team. This is a permanent role based in Dublin reporting to the Deputy CEO.
Overview
The
purpose of Strategy, Programme Support and Quality team is to ensure the organisation’s strategies,
approaches and interventions are coherent, impactful and effective. The team will lead the development, and
oversee the implementation of our organisational Strategic Plan, while also supporting the development and
alignment of regional and programmatic strategies. The team will work across the organisation to strengthen
the quality, coherence and effectiveness of holistic protection programming through quality assurance,
learning and innovation, and staff development. It also leads the organisation's research function with the
development of reports and other relevant publications.
The Head of Strategy is responsible for leading the development,
implementation and oversight of the organisation's Strategic Plan, ensuring that strategic priorities are
translated into organisational action and that strategic progress is tracked and that the plan is revised when
required. It also supports the development and alignment of regional and programmatic strategies. The Head of
Strategy leads the Strategy, Programme Quality and Support Team, providing strategic direction, line
management and support to the Senior Programme Quality and Support Leads and the HRD Researcher, ensuring the
team has the capacity, coordination and resources required to deliver its objectives. The role also promotes
collaboration across teams to strengthen organisational coherence, programme quality, learning and
innovation.
Background
Front
Line Defenders is an international organisation based in Ireland that works exclusively for the protection of
human rights defenders at risk. Human rights defenders are people who are persecuted because of their peaceful
work for the rights of others. Front Line Defenders provides practical help through protection grants,
physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning.
Role responsibilities
Key duties include:
Nurture an inclusive, values-driven, supportive team culture with a focus
on delivering impact for human rights defenders in line with the organisation’s vision, values and
mission.
Lead the Strategy, Programme Quality and Support team to develop, monitor,
and implement the teams work plans and ensure the delivery of the teams objectives.
Lead the development and oversight of the organisational Strategic Plan,
including the vision, mission, short and long term goals, and organisational theory of change.
Ensure relevant stakeholders in the Strategic Plan (HRDs, Board, staff, ELT
etc.) are appropriately engaged in the design, delivery and review.
Monitor and support the implementation of the Strategic Plan, through
contributing to regular reflection/evaluations/reviews, and the development and updating of an organisational
scorecard for ELT.
Lead the development of organisational process maps to ensure the delivery
of the various organisation programmes and initiatives, and clarify workflows and roles, responsibilities, and
accountability.
Lead the development and implementation of the organisation’s
strategic research agenda, ensuring research priorities reflect emerging protection trends, regional
priorities and organisational strategic objectives.
Identify opportunities for global and thematic pieces together with Global
protection.
Direct the production and continued development of the annual Global
Analysis, quarterly briefings and other reports with the aim of establishing FLD as the key source for up to
date information on trends and responses relating to HRDs at risk.
Coordinate closely with the MERL team in the design, review and delivery of
monitoring and evaluation structures, processes and frameworks, and ensure all Strategy is coherent and
aligned to the organisation MERL agenda.
For further information, please view:
https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/head_of_strategy_v5_july_2026.pdf
Salary & Benefits
€73,327 – €91,382 per annum
26 annual leave days
Pension
Paid Health Insurance
Income Protection & Life Assurance
Employee Assistance Scheme (EAP)
Monthly Well-Being Provisions
Requirements
Interested applicants must have:
Considerable knowledge and understanding of international human rights
work, including the role and holistic protection needs of human rights defenders.
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
Strong understanding of the political and human rights contexts across
their specific geographic region.
Excellent political judgment, including the ability to make strategic
choices based on sound analysis of potential costs and benefits.
Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the
ability to identify and resolve potential issues before they arise.
High level of competence in English, along with a second
language.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills,
including the ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas.
Strong drafting, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to
produce clear and accurate documents efficiently.
Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work
effectively with colleagues across the organisation, as well as with HRDs, NGOs, and government / institution
officials.
Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to a diverse team, while
contributing effectively within multi-level team environments.
Capacity to plan, prioritise and manage multiple, sometimes competing
demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment.
Flexibility in time, scheduling, travel and supporting other staff, both
from the same team and on other teams.
Basic skills for budgeting management.
At least 10 years’ experience working at a senior level in the
protection of human rights defenders, or equivalent experience in a human-rights based organisation in a
leadership role.
Experience of developing organisation strategy, including Strategic
Planning.
Experience of managing and delivering research projects.
Experience of building and working effectively with teams of people from
diverse professional and/or cultural backgrounds, including managing remote staff and working across multiple
time zones.
Experience of driving innovation and developing programming in a relevant
field.
Documented experience working with human rights defenders and/or human
rights organisations.
Closing Date
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by 4pm (local Irish
time) on Thursday, 23rd July 2026 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD
vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering.
It is anticipated first round interviews will be held on 7th August 2026.