HSOT Humanitarian Adviser Roster

Implemented by The Palladium Group, The Humanitarian and Stabilization Operations Team (HSOT) provides the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) with additional capacity and specialist expertise to support effective UK response to sudden-onset disasters, protracted crises and complex emergencies.

HSOT is a team of over 80 core staff based in London and have a wide range of experts on their humanitarian and stabilisation rosters that can rapidly deploy if needed. Operational partner, Palladium, manage HSOT which is embedded in FCDO.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The HSOT Humanitarian Roster

The HSOT roster is a pool of skilled humanitarian experts, ready to provide consultancy services and support FCDO's humanitarian efforts. These highly experienced professionals can effectively collaborate across various humanitarian disciplines, working seamlessly with UK and host  Government Departments, other humanitarian agencies, and local partners. The experts offer specialist advice, analysis, and support to UK Government officials, aiding in humanitarian preparedness and response including strategy development, programme implementation and policy engagement. By leveraging their expertise, the experts contribute to fast, efficient and effective UK humanitarian response that is appropriate to the needs of affected communities.

Deployments

Consultants are competitively selected by Palladium International Ltd to work alongside Civil Servants on short to long term assignments. Deployments can range from a few days weeks to several months and may be remote or overseas.
Successful recruitment to the roster makes you eligible for consideration for long- and short-term deployments. However, it does not guarantee deployment.

Humanitarian Adviser

The following general responsibilities are indicative.
The specific responsibilities and deliverables for each deployment will be outlined in the customized Terms of Reference (ToR).

Support FCDO colleagues with humanitarian programme design and mobilization.Ensure humanitarian programmes are informed by evidence, FCDO humanitarian policy priorities, past lessons and humanitarian best practice.Support effective external engagement, including coordination with and between host government, humanitarian agencies, and other donors.Ensure effective internal coordination with other HSOT and FCDO stakeholders.When a Humanitarian Affairs Officer is not deployed, provide FCDO colleagues with humanitarian information and analysis support, including monitoring of context and humanitarian response.Provide advice and support on designing and implementing robust monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes for humanitarian programmes, ensuring responses remain on track and adapted to context.Provide feedback on the performance of humanitarian implementing partners and work with FCDO colleagues and partners to course correct where needed.Provide advice on likely trajectory of context and response, including regular horizon-scanning and contingency planning as required.Provide specialist humanitarian sectoral support and analysis as required (shelter/CCCM, WASH, health, nutrition, food insecurity, livelihoods, protection, education, early recovery etc) as well as on cross cutting themes such as gender and inclusion.Contribute to FCDO policy and briefings requests, communications products and reporting, and support internal learning processes.Provide advice on humanitarian advocacy messages and opportunities for UK diplomatic engagement.Fully comply with and promote safeguarding minimum operating standards.For rapid-onset response:
- Work with HSOT and FCDO colleagues to develop a rapid understanding of the crisis.
- Produce initial response options considering needs, gaps in humanitarian service provision, available funding, existing capabilities, partnerships, and access.
- Conduct regular field monitoring or put in place context-appropriate monitoring mechanisms where not possible.
- Review Humanitarian Response Plans, partner programme concept notes and project proposals with clear criteria and recommendations to inform FCDO response decisions.

Sectoral specialisms

Generalist Humanitarian Advisers are expected to have a working knowledge of core humanitarian sectors and cross-cutting issues.

FCDO also request deployment of HA sectoral specialists who hold significant operational and policy expertise in areas which include:

- Health and nutrition
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
- Shelter, camp coordination and camp management (CCCM)
- Education
- Protection, gender and inclusion
- Food security and livelihoods
- Cash and social protection
- Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEL)
- Humanitarian access
- Civil-military coordination
- Preparedness and anticipatory action
- Protracted crises and resilience.

Please indicate any specific sectoral expertise in your initial application as a Generalist HA. This will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Required Qualifications:

Significant field experience in senior leadership positions with humanitarian agencies.Expertise in the design and operational management of humanitarian programmes.Strong written and oral communication skills.Strong analytical skills, including proficiency in MS Excel.Excellent networking and coordination skills.Demonstrable knowledge and experience of humanitarian theory, practice and architecture.C2 fluency in English is required. Working proficiency (B2+) in another relevant language is desirable.Exceptional organisation and prioritisation skills, and ability to deal with a varied, demanding, and rapidly changing workload.Conscientious in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.Willingness to deploy in support of FCDO’s work in a humanitarian emergency.

Core Competencies

Candidates must possess key competencies aligned with delivering the UK’s priorities. An understanding of FCDO’s humanitarian policy and a willingness to support this is essential.

Seeing the Big Picture: understand and monitor economic, social, political, environmental, and technological developments. Align plans with strategic priorities and effectively communicate with senior leaders to shape future strategies. Integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives to enhance understanding of policy issues.Communicating and Influencing: communicate clearly, honestly, and enthusiastically to build trust. Simplify complex issues for better understanding, while considering individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, using persuasive language when necessary. Stay open-minded and respectful of diverse opinions in discussions. Utilize various communication methods, including digital resources, while ensuring value for money. Monitor and improve the effectiveness of team communications as needed.Working Together: build and maintain a network of colleagues to advance shared goals. Challenge assumptions while being open to beneficial compromises. Foster strong interpersonal relationships and show genuine care for team members. Prioritize wellbeing for yourself and the team, understanding diverse needs to provide appropriate support. Create an inclusive environment where all opinions are valued, and bullying or discrimination is not tolerated. Remain approachable and open to new ideas from all colleagues.Delivering at Pace: ensure everyone understands and owns their roles, responsibilities, and business priorities. Communicate honestly and enthusiastically about objectives and expectations to motivate the team. Comply with legal, regulatory, and security requirements in service delivery. Establish clear processes and standards for performance management. Deliver timely, quality outcomes by providing necessary resources, adjusting performance expectations, and rewarding success. Maintain your own performance in challenging situations and encourage others to do the same.

Please note: Due to the nature of the work, applicants that are eligible for clearance (minimum of 2 of the last 5 years residency in the UK, 12 months continuous) will have preference for compliance purposes.

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.