About GNDR

We are the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), the largest global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. Since being established in 2007, we have grown into a network of over 2,000 member organisations across 130+ countries, representing millions of people on the frontlines of hazards, climate change and mass displacement. Through transformative, evidence-led programming and powerful advocacy, we are driving climate action and disaster resilience alongside our members across the globe.

About the role

GNDR is seeking a motivated and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as its new Head of Operations. 

The post holder will ensure our operations remain aligned to our 2026–2030 Global Strategy, sustainable, and forward-thinking by providing leadership across core functions including finance, HR, IT, translation, procurement, and governance.

This pivotal role requires an agile, hands-on senior executive who is equally comfortable steering high-level global strategy and managing daily operational execution across geographically dispersed and remote teams. From managing financial controls, global policy frameworks, people and culture function and risk registers, to acting as our Safeguarding Lead and supporting committee governance, you will provide the robust oversight needed to protect and sustain GNDR.

This role offers the opportunity to drive organisational excellence and strengthen civil-society resilience worldwide. If you bring strong cross-cultural competencies and a proactive, problem-solving attitude, we want to hear from you!

Core responsibilities

• Translates global strategy into actionable operational plans, ensuring cross-departmental collaboration and long-term operational resilience
• Manages the funding pipeline, annual budgeting processes, cash flow, and financial controls to ensure long-term financial sustainability and compliance
• Oversees the full employee lifecycle, and drives an inclusive culture focused on wellbeing, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Oversees and maintains the organisational risk register and ensures regulatory and audit compliance. Acts as the Safeguarding Lead
• Act as Company Secretary, collaborating closely with Trustees and the Global Board to deliver robust institutional governance
• Oversees organisation-wide infrastructure and procurement, including IT, insurances, and employee benefits, while optimising systems and processes
• Line manages Operations staff, and oversees the work of external consultants and providers (IT, payroll, insurance, etc.)

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Candidates will need to be able to travel internationally when necessary. 

This role is primarily remote. We’ll ensure you have a safe and appropriate remote working setup, and we’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements as part of the recruitment process. Our hybrid working approach is currently under review, so there may be occasional in‑person meetups in London in the future, subject to ongoing consultation.

Please note that all offers of employment at GNDR are conditional and subject to satisfactory background checks.

We encourage applications from people who meet most of the essential criteria listed in the job description below. You don’t need to tick every single box to be considered. We recognise that strong candidates may bring relevant strengths and experience in different ways, and we don’t want this to deter you from applying. If you can demonstrate a solid overall match with the role, we’d love to hear from you.

For a full job description and person specification please follow the link below.JOB DESCRIPTION 

Salary

This role is offered on a full-time, permanent basis, offering a salary of £59,373 per annum.

Start date

An immediate start is available. However, we recognise the constraints of notice periods and can offer flexibility for the right candidate.

How to apply

Please submit your CV (max. two A4 sides) and a cover letter (max. two A4 sides) outlining skills and experience relevant to the role by email to hr[at]gndr.org

Please include “Application for Head of Operations” in your email subject line.

Please note: This is a re-advertisement of a recent vacancy. Previous applicants need not re-apply. 

Closing date

15 June 2026 at 12pm (BST)

Due to the high volume of applications we expect to receive for this role, we may not be able to provide individual feedback. However, we will endeavour to contact all applicants to update them on the outcome of their application.

Interview

Interviews will be held remotely via Google Meet. And expected to take place by the end of June 2026 (Exact dates to be confirmed).

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We are dedicated to creating a team that embodies the rich diversity of communities we serve. Our commitment lies in cultivating an inclusive environment, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic circumstances, LGBTQIA+ and disabled people. We celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives that each candidate brings and are dedicated to fair and equitable opportunities for all.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible for individuals of all needs and abilities. If you require any adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please contact us at hr[at]gndr.org.

Find out more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Our benefits and wellbeing

At GNDR, we are committed to cultivating a happy and healthy working environment for all our staff.

To support and encourage a healthy work-life balance for our staff, we are happy to consider flexible working requests as part of our recruitment process and beyond. 

Find out more about our approach to wellbeing and our benefits.