Senior Humanitarian Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
Save the Children is a leading independent organization dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world. Established over 100 years ago, it has a rich history of advocating for children's rights and providing support in times of crisis. With a presence in numerous countries, Save the Children operates with a mission to ensure every child has the opportunity for a healthy start, education, and protection from harm. The organization employs a diverse workforce and engages in various humanitarian efforts globally, making a significant impact on children's lives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Humanitarian Advisor plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian projects and emergency responses. This position requires a deep understanding of humanitarian principles and practices, as well as the ability to provide high-quality technical support to program teams. The advisor will actively seek new funding opportunities and build relationships with Canadian humanitarian donors, ensuring that Save the Children’s initiatives align with best practices and quality standards. The role also involves engaging with humanitarian networks to promote program quality and innovation, as well as supporting public engagement and advocacy efforts related to children in crisis. The advisor will be expected to demonstrate thought leadership and contribute to the development of tools and resources that enhance program quality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Humanitarian Advisor will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including providing high-quality technical input to program teams, ensuring alignment with humanitarian best practices, and developing tools to strengthen program quality. The advisor will maintain effective relationships with global teams and country offices, support humanitarian responses by reviewing policies through a rights-based lens, and represent Save the Children in humanitarian forums. Additionally, the advisor will monitor emerging crises, engage with donors to pursue funding, lead the technical design of humanitarian projects, and collaborate with various teams to ensure timely and high-quality proposals. The role also includes implementing response protocols for new emergencies, acting as a media spokesperson, and contributing to advocacy plans. Regular communication on strategy and policies, adherence to the organization’s Code of Conduct, and integration of child safeguarding practices are also essential responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a post-secondary education in a relevant field or equivalent experience, along with a minimum of 5-7 years in International Development, NGOs, or the not-for-profit sector. Advanced knowledge of humanitarian principles and practices is required, as well as technical expertise in one or more of Save the Children’s priority sectors, such as Nutrition, Health, or Education. Familiarity with Canadian foreign policy and Global Affairs Canada procedures is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in integrating gender equality and child-safe programming in humanitarian contexts, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships across diverse settings. Proficiency in project management and MS Office tools is also necessary, along with the ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions.

Educational Background:
A relevant post-secondary education is required for this position, which may include degrees in fields such as International Development, Public Health, Social Work, or related disciplines. Equivalent experience in a relevant role may also be considered in lieu of formal education. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in humanitarian principles and practices, as well as an understanding of the complexities involved in working with vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5-7 years of experience in the International Development sector, specifically within NGOs or other not-for-profit organizations. This experience should include a strong focus on humanitarian work, with demonstrated expertise in project management, technical support, and donor engagement. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully navigating complex humanitarian environments and delivering results under tight timelines.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages such as French, Spanish, or Arabic is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as an 18-month contract and is based in a hybrid workplace in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The salary range for this role is between $75,543.87 and $90,652.65 CAD, depending on skills and experience. The organization provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, paid vacation, personal days, and a pension plan. Employees also have access to learning and development opportunities, as well as an Employee Assistance Program. The role may require occasional travel, both locally and internationally, but this is expected to be less than 10% of the time. The application deadline is set for 5:00 pm EST on November 6, 2026, with internal candidates having an earlier deadline of October 15, 2026.