Candidate Pack - Christian Aid Head of Region

Head of Region, Westside
Candidate Pack- February 2017

Christian Aid
Head of Region, Westside
Candidate Pack – February 2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Head of Performance and Development
Location: Birmingham or Warrington
Salary: circa £46,000
Founded in 1941, Christian Aid is a leading UK and Irish relief and development agency working
in some of the world’s poorest communities in more than 50 countries. Christian Aid acts where
the need is greatest, regardless of race or religion, helping people to tackle the problems they face
and build the lives they deserve.
Christian Aid is built on the principal that poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of
dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision - an end to
poverty - and believes that vision can become a reality.
Its fundamental belief is that the underlying causes of poverty were made by, and can be ended by,
human action and therefore, partnership with its supporters is essential. The acts of supporters in
giving, praying and taking action are at the heart of the work they do. Christian Aid believes that
when we act as good neighbours, the world changes.
The Head of Region, Westside is a critical role for the organisation. Working collegiately with the
four other Heads of England, this role will maximise fundraising and advocacy opportunities and
be responsible for significantly building and strengthening relationships with the church, private
sector and government contributing to an overall income target of £45 million for England. This
role will lead the regional team in engaging with churches, activists, supporters of all ages,
volunteer networks, and the private sector in the region, in line with Christian Aid’s wider
organisational strategy, Partnership for Change. They will work closely with other members of the
senior management team ensuring departmental objectives are achieved.
We are looking for a creative and strategic leader with consideration experience of leadership at a
senior management level and an ability to represent Christian Aid at a high level. The post holder
will ideally have experience of both fundraising and political influencing through advocacy and
campaigning and a proven ability to plan projects effectively and meet challenging targets
collaboratively.
Applications should consist of a CV, ideally accompanied by a brief covering letter addressing the
criteria in the Person Specification. These documents can be uploaded via Society’s website:
www.society-search.com.
The deadline for receipt of applications is midday on Monday 6 th March 2017.

ORGANISATION
Founded in 1941, Christian Aid is a leading UK and Irish relief and development agency working
in some of the world’s poorest communities in more than 50 countries. Christian Aid acts where
the need is greatest, regardless of race or religion, helping people to tackle the problems they face
and build the lives they deserve.
As the official relief and development agency of 41 British and Irish churches, Christian Aid works
to support sustainable development, stop poverty, support civil society and provide disaster relief
in South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Christian Aid campaigns to
change the rules and systems that keep people poor, speaking out on issues such as tax justice,
trade justice, climate change, and Third World debt.
Vision & Purpose
Christian Aid is built on the principal that poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of
dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision - an end to
poverty - and believes that vision can become a reality. Its essential purpose can be summarised as
follows:
to expose the scandal of poverty;
to help in practical ways to root it out from the world;
to challenge and change structures and systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and
marginalised.
Mandate
Christian Aid is an agency of 41 churches in Britain and Ireland that are mandated to work on
relief, development and advocacy for poverty eradication. Its work is founded on Christian faith,
inspired by hope and acts to change an unjust world through charity – a practical love and care for
our neighbours.
For more information about Christian Aid and its transformational work, please visit
http://www.christianaid.org.uk.

Partnership for Change
Christian Aid’s belief is that the underlying causes of poverty were made by, and can be ended by,
human action. This belief is embodied in its strategic framework, created in 2012, Partnership for
Change.
Christian Aid’s partnership with its supporters is essential. The acts of supporters in giving,
praying and taking action are at the heart of the work they do. Christian Aid believes that when we
act as good neighbours, the world changes.
For example, 2017 marks the 60 th Anniversary of Christian Aid Week, which, brings together over
100,000 tireless volunteers for one aim. Each year, it raises around £12 million; focuses more than
10,000 churches in prayer and fundraising; and engages hundreds of thousands of people as the
story spread of how poverty must and can be defeated.
To achieve essential shifts in power, Christian Aid has identified five areas on which to focus its
work – areas in which individuals’ and partner’s skills and experience will enable the greatest
impact:
Focus 1 – Power To Change Institutions
Focus 2- The Right To Essential Services
Focus 3- Fair Shares In A Constrained World
Focus 4- Equality For All
Focus 5- Tackling Violence And Building Peace

ROLE DESCRIPTION
Department: Supporter and Community Partnerships
Location: Warrington or Birmingham
Reports to: Head of Performance and Development
Direct Reports: 10 max
Overall people management responsibility: 17
Matrix management responsibility: 1-3, depending
Budgetary responsibility: Expenditure approximately £1.2 million; Direct income approximately £2.4
million; Joint accountability for approximately £45 million
Expected travel per annum: Up to 20 days
On call/unsocial hours: Yes
Role Purpose
The Head of Region, Westside will lead the regional team in engaging with churches, activists,
supporters of all ages, volunteer networks, and the private sector in the region, building a
Partnership for Change.
The role will maximise fundraising and advocacy opportunities and be responsible for significantly
building and strengthening relationships with the church, private sector and government
contributing to an overall income target of £45 million for England.
The post holder will be expected to work collegiately with other Heads of Region in England to
deliver the England strategy, working closely with the Inspiring Participation division and the
Heads of Scotland, Ireland and Wales to ensure achievement of departmental objectives.
Supported by the Head of Performance and Development, the post holder will work alongside
other Heads of Region in enabling and inspiring work across England on fundraising, advocacy
including popular campaigning, private sector, gender, media and church relationships.
Role Context
The Head of Region, Westside will be based in a regional office in England and will establish an
appropriate structure and culture by which to manage the work of the strategy, staff and budget
for the region within a shared framework approach for England.
The post holder will provide effective leadership to staff and volunteers in the team which enables
the region to deliver fundraising and advocacy targets through partnership relationships within
the context of a Christian faith based organisation.
The role is a corporate one that engages with other departments within Christian Aid as well as
other parts of the Supporter and Community Partnerships department. It works closely with the
England Church Relations team on a unified strategy for church partnerships across England,
enabling unity across the diversity of regional contexts and for the England church relations to be
consistent with Christian Aid’s corporate and global church relationships.
The post holder will work with the Head of Performance and Development for England and
alongside the other Heads of Region to determine and deliver a single Christian Aid strategy for
England. This will include close engagement and partnership working with others who are
leading department functions across the key areas of fundraising, advocacy, media and
communication, private sector partnerships, gender, media and church relations.

They will be a member of the corporate Strategy Management Group and relevant senior
management groups within the Supporter and Community Partnerships Department.
The post holder will be required to preach enthusiastically the gospel of good news for the poor
and seek a response via Christian Aid.
In order to meet the needs of the role, there will be a requirement for considerable evening and
weekend work.
Key Outcomes
The work of the team is led and managed in line with Christian Aid’s strategy, capability and performance
frameworks. Colleagues in the region are inspired, coached, trained and motivated to succeed in fulfilling
and meeting their own and team targets, outputs and objectives in and through close working
partnerships with the rest of the organisation.
Income targets are met and the advocacy voice (including popular campaigning) of Christian Aid is heard
within the context of a Christian faith based organisation and in support of Christian Aid’s strategic
change objectives.
Effective internal partnerships and close collaborative working with other Heads of Region and Christian
Aid project groups is led, enabled and modelled. Agreed plans are delivered and a strong culture of
accountability is established across the region and England as a whole.
Excellent relationships with regional church, political and business leaders are in place in support of
delivering Christian Aid’s mission and strategy.
Christian Aid's profile is raised and promoted in the region through effective communications and positive
media coverage.
Role Requirements
External
The post will specifically relate to the church and business leaders in the region. It will have,
develop or enable relationships and be in regular contact with church decision makers at the
highest level including regular networking with Bishops, Pastors and Lay leaders.
The role will have regular contact with Christian Aid volunteers and supporters including key
worked churches, major donors and political and private sector contacts.
The post holder will host visits by partners, international and overseas Christian Aid staff.
Internal
The Head of Region, Westside will work closely with the other four Heads of England, Head of
Wales, Head of Scotland and Head of Supporter Engagement and Head of Strategic
Communication supported by the Head of Performance to create, promote and develop good
internal partnerships.

It will maintain good relations with colleagues from across the organisation including those in the
other internal teams and the International Department.
This person will shape an appropriate structure and ensure effective management of a team based
cross an England region with hubs of support provided to staff and volunteers in appropriate office
locations.
The role works within an agile project based context within SPD. Agile working allows Christian
Aid to become a networked organisation in which individuals are empowered to work together on
projects with a clear outcome that relates to the organisational objectives. To be an effective leader
requires a specific behavioural and cultural mindset.
Decision Making
The Head of Region, Westside will lead on the delivery of Christians Aid's work in the church and
community in the region. The post holder needs to feel confident in decision-making with the
knowledge that they are empowered to take them in order to fulfil their remit. Within the context
of the framework of the SPD strategy, this role will set and deliver the overall plan for their region
with their line manager and colleagues but then is expected to be able to make decisions within
that plan in order to deliver it. There is budgetary responsibility.
This person is accountable for the success of increasing the numbers of churches and supporters
giving, acting and praying in their region. The role will represent Christian Aid and its work to any
audience and in any media within agreed policy positions.
Analytical skills
This role requires a level of analytical skills to ensure the monitoring and deployment of staffing
and activity meets the targets set. The expectation is that this role will know both the numerical
success of the work and the depth of the success. It is expected that significant creative and
analytical thinking is required to assess progress against targets and to regularly question
processes and ways of working to identify changes that will improve performance.

Developing self and others
The post holder will have direct responsibility for developing, coaching and motivating a group of
staff, where the skill/location mix is likely to be diverse; undertaking performance reviews and
development of action plans to improve the performance of others, whether staff or volunteers.
The Head of Region, Westside will influence the work of others when working in partnership to
deliver Christian Aid’s aims in England.
They will role model a curiosity and an openness to learning, communicating and listening
continuously with team members and other stakeholders
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the following skills,
capabilities and experience:
Essential
Proven experience of leading a dispersed team to work in a creative and collaborative fashion, enabling
good decisions to be made and individuals to flourish in their contribution;
Proven experience of strategic thinking and leadership;
Proven experience of building internal stakeholder relationships and outstanding partnership working;
Relevant degree or equivalent experience;
Excellent knowledge of fundraising and marketing techniques over a range of disciplines and channels,
and a successful track record of delivering income generation through integrated activities;
Experience of political influencing through advocacy and campaigning;
Sound knowledge and understanding of the diversity of churches and church audiences and of how to
work in a creative partnership with them;
Experience of building new and nurturing existing relationships with churches, the private sector and
government. Ability to represent Christian Aid at a high level;
Sound knowledge of global development issues and theology with an ability to speak inspiringly on
developing world issues;
Ability to develop with colleagues, vision and purpose for the team and translate that vision into practical
work plans. Outstanding coaching skills to enable colleagues to grow and flourish. Proven ability to plan
projects effectively and meet challenging targets collaboratively;
Experience of managing and supporting volunteers and staff to lead, empower and inspire others;
Substantial experience in two or more of the following areas: media work; youth work; adult education;
event organisation; volunteer management;
Excellent presentation skills in public and the media;
To handle unsocial hours and travel throughout the region and on occasion internationally in the
developing world;
Car driver with full licence.
Desirable
Qualification in management, fundraising or marketing or equivalent experience;
Experience of planning, commissioning or delivering large scale events;
Postgraduate qualification in management, marketing or fundraising.

IT Competency Required
Intermediate
Competency Profile
Level 4- You are expected to be able to:
Build partnerships
Actively promote collaborative team working and break down barriers to effective cross-organisational
working;
Apply understanding of external political, professional and organisational relationships and dynamics to
influence agendas and outcomes;
Recognise when there are fundamental conflicts, acknowledging your own and others’ feelings and views
and redirecting energy towards common goals;
Seek out or create opportunities to establish new high-impact relationships, partnerships and
collaborations.
Communicate effectively
Communicate a range of complex issues credibly with a range of audiences and handle difficult on-thespot
questions or challenges;
Apply advanced influencing and negotiating skills to secure agreement;
Promote and role model open communication across Christian Aid, regardless of hierarchy or
departmental boundaries.
Steward resources
Look for new or different ways of delivering outcomes by bringing together internal and external
resources and partnerships in the best way to achieve results;
Actively monitor external partners and suppliers to ensure that Christian Aid’s objectives are achievable
within available resources;
Be honest about resource constraints, saying no to unnecessary or excessive spending;
Coordinate work where there are conflicting demands on time or other resources; negotiate resources,
review progress and adapt resource requirements accordingly.
Deliver results
Plan for and review progress on multiple and complex projects involving cross-functional and/or
geographically dispersed work groups;
Take overall responsibility for ensuring objectives for own unit and department are achieved;
Take a long-term strategic perspective, understanding which short-term decisions might compromise
future options;
Respond quickly and decisively under pressure to crisis or problems that affect others, making decisions
that are evidence-based, realistic and balance short- and long-term impacts;
Act cooperatively to implement decisions that have already been made even if you do not personally agree
with them.
Realise potential
Act as a role model in developing, managing and supporting others;
Match people’s skills and abilities to work demands, taking into account organisational priorities as well as
personal and career development needs;
Challenge behaviour and actions which are contrary to Christian Aid’s vision and values, and take
appropriate and timely action.

Strive for improvement
Challenge others’ thinking to encourage more innovative approaches to problems;
Take into account short-term versus long-term benefits, costs and risks in evaluating change options;
Encourage responsible risk-taking, recognising that not every risk will pay off; when things don’t go as
planned, focus on lessons learnt rather than fault-finding;
Keep abreast of, and contribute to, developing responses to challenges in the economic, political and social
environment;
Take a lead in promoting cutting-edge initiatives intended to enhance effectiveness and the sharing of
knowledge.
Further details of specific tasks and duties will be agreed with the line manager as part of the
performance agreement. Any reasonable duty may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of
the job and its level of responsibility.
This role profile is not prescriptive; it merely outlines the key behaviours the role-holder requires
to be successful in the role; the key behaviours and responsibilities are subject to change. Any
changes will be made in consultation with the role-holder.
You will be expected to abide by the Code of Conduct, policies and procedures within Christian Aid
which may be updated from time to time.
You must be in sympathy with the aims, beliefs and values of Christian Aid as it seeks to work on
relief, development and advocacy for poverty eradication.

APPOINTMENT DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY
Christian Aid is being assisted in this appointment process by the executive search firm Society.
Applications should consist of a CV, ideally accompanied by a brief covering letter addressing the
criteria in the Person Specification. These documents can be uploaded via Society’s website:
www.society-search.com.
The deadline for receipt of applications is midday on Monday 6 th March 2017.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview on Monday 27 th March 2017.
An appointment will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references. The appointed candidate
will be offered a salary that is commensurate with their experience and the seniority of their new
role.