Job Description

Role Overview


Are you a humanitarian professional with the agility to operate inside a major donor environment and deep expertise in Cash assistance? Palladium is recruiting a Surge Humanitarian Adviser (Cash) to join the Humanitarian and Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT), delivering the HEROS programme on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).This role sits within a team of deployable humanitarian advisers whose core function is to provide surge capacity to FCDO in response to humanitarian crises -- shaping strategy, informing programmes and policy, and supporting cross-capability readiness and roster management. While each adviser brings a recognised specialism, the emphasis is on versatility, strategic insight, and the ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-moving environments.



About the Role

You'll provide technical and strategic advice on Cash assistance during crisis response, as well as contribute to preparedness, learning and policy development. You'll also help build tools, guidance and expertise across the HEROS programme and support the development of the humanitarian roster.


Project Overview


The Humanitarian and Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT) is contracted by Palladium to deliver the Humanitarian Emergency Response Operations and Stabilisation Programme (HEROS), working with FCDO's Humanitarian Response Department (HCRD) and the Migration and Conflict Directorate (MCD), as well as multiple UK Government teams and partners in 130 countries. The team provides operational and advisory support to meet humanitarian needs and restore stability in sudden-onset disasters, protracted crises and complex emergencies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Supply high quality technical expertise to inform FCDO's design and delivery of humanitarian strategies, plans, policies, programmes and guidance in the immediate aftermath of a crisis in ways that are consistent with UK and international commitments, principles, standards and ambitions. This includes surging into FCDO's Crisis Centre and deploying overseas for up to 4 weeks at a time.


Act as the HSOT Response Lead when required, working closely with the Coordination Lead and the Director to ensure a coherent integrated approach to response, which is evidence-based, context-specific and tailored to the evolving demands of a disrupted humanitarian landscape.

Contribute to HEROS preparedness initiatives, including supporting and participating in team and cross-capability preparedness planning, scenario development, simulations and exercising, as well as ensuring that learning from past responses informs preparedness work.


Continuously develop, test and update the advisory tools in the HEROS response 'toolbox,' ensuring tools are evidence-based, informed by lessons from past responses and preparedness work and ready to be used in response, consulting within HSOT and with FCDO's humanitarian cadre and external experts.


Support the development and management of the humanitarian and UNDAC rosters, including contributing advisory inputs to: recruitment to and from the roster; the design and delivery of training for roster advisors; the management of communities of practice; and performance management of deployed advisors.


Identify and advance opportunities for HSOT's advisory services to contribute to FCDO's priorities for advancing Localisation and the reform of the multilateral system, that are evidence-based and tailored to the context.


Assist in strengthening engagement on Standby Partnership (SBP) and UNDAC strategy and operations by providing meaningful advisory inputs into, and ensuring implementation of, SBP and UNDAC annual strategies, representing FCDO at annual SBP and UNDAC events, working groups etc., reviewing mid and end point mission reports, contributing to client reporting, and being proactive in risk/issue identification and mitigation.

Support HCRD to integrate humanitarian concerns across FCDO and other Government Department's work as requested, advising on possible risks, opportunities and solutions.

Ensure their skillset remains relevant through continual learning and professional development, as well as promoting and championing learning, development and professional excellence within the advisory function and wider contract.

Develop strong networks and relationships within FCDO and with external actors, complementing not cutting across HCRD, Post and wider FCDO relationships, both with respect to generalist and specialist skillsets and areas of interest.

Provide technical and strategic advice and support to FCDO on CVA; this will include:



Advising on options for humanitarian CVA during deployments and remotely, in the context of sudden onset and protracted crises, both to HSOT and FCDO directly.

Developing tools and guidance to ensure the HEROS service promotes the role of humanitarian CVA across preparedness and response, where appropriate, drawing on lessons learned and best practice.


Building CVA expertise within the roster, HSOT and FCDO.

Working with HCRD, HPPD and the wider FCDO network to provide technical inputs to advocacy, policy and programmes.




Collaboration

Work constructively with colleagues to achieve shared goals.

Share knowledge, support others, and contribute to a positive team culture.

Be open to feedback and willing to adapt to meet team needs.



Risk Management

Be aware of potential risks to effective and responsible programme management and contribute to mitigation measures according to job role.

Be familiar with and actively participate in established risk management procedures, including reporting issues against identified risks and failures of mitigation measures.

Contribute to risk assessment activities and suggest improvements.



Other Duties

The post holder will be required to deploy at very short notice to support an FCDO response for up to 4 weeks, up to 60% of the time.

Participate in HEST training and work to mitigate safety and security threats for self and others.

Undertake any other duties as appropriate to the position, as requested.

Participate in Duty Officer system rotation, providing week-long out of hours surveillance of emergencies at either Duty Officer or Senior Cover Manager level.

Contribute to HEROS contract monthly, quarterly, annual contractual reporting on specialist portfolio, and provide support as requested in support of results-based reporting.

Support business Transition and Exit Planning: Play a pivotal role in adapting to system upgrades and organizational changes, ensuring the workforce is aligned with future business needs. Lead on providing data inputs during the transition phase.

As appropriate, engage with Palladium UKEA regional team fora and initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

Generalist

Extensive field-based humanitarian experience, including delivering response in rapid-onset and protracted crises, with a strong track record of CVA programming.

Experience advising or working with donors, UN agencies, INGOs and local partners, including in coordination mechanisms, with proven ability to influence humanitarian policy through evidence-based recommendations and diplomatic engagement.

Deep understanding of humanitarian principles, core humanitarian standards, the humanitarian architecture, financing mechanisms and the humanitarian programme cycle.


Experience of preparedness planning, scenario development and anticipatory action.

A working knowledge of critical humanitarian issues, including Localisation, Accountability to Affected Populations, Protection principles and key legal frameworks (IHL, human rights law).

A degree in humanitarian affairs, development, economics or a related field.

Willingness to deploy at short notice for up to 4 weeks, for up to 60% of the time.

Strategic thinking and adaptive planning in complex crises.

Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.

Excellent communication and influencing abilities.

Act with integrity, reliability, and respect in all interactions.

Represent Palladium positively in all professional settings.

Take ownership of tasks and responsibilities, delivering work to agreed standards and deadlines.


Follow through on commitments and raise concerns early when issues arise.



Specialist

Strong understanding of CVA programmes across diverse humanitarian contexts, with experience of supporting the design, delivery or evaluation of CVA programmes in line with humanitarian principles and sectoral standards.

Proven ability to contribute to CVA-related policy, strategy or advocacy efforts, including engagement with donors, governments, and coordination platforms.

Familiarity with CVA standards, including the CALP Network, Programme Quality Toolbox, Minimum Requirements for CVA, and relevant organizational guidelines and SOPs.

Experience overseeing or supporting CVA operations, including contracting and coordinating with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), and overseeing secure, inclusive, and efficient delivery mechanisms (e.g. mobile money, bank transfers, prepaid cards, vouchers).

Working knowledge of market assessments and price monitoring tools (e.g. RAM, EMMA, PCMA) to inform CVA design and enable adaptive programming.

Ability to design and oversee MEL frameworks tailored to CVA, incorporating feedback mechanisms, outcome tracking, and learning loops to improve programme quality and accountability.

Familiarity with integrating CVA into emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, and contingency planning, including scenario development and pre-positioning of delivery systems.


Please apply if you have the right to work in the UK.


The closing date for the advert is 20th October 2025.









Continuous- Permanent
Annum- Annual Salary



Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.