Head of Assurance

Start Network; Greater London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing humanitarian network is seeking an experienced Head of Assurance to lead the assurance team with a focus on compliance, risk management, and accountability. This senior role offers the opportunity to influence strategic decisions and ensure the effective use of public funds in humanitarian actions. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the sector and a proven track record in developing frameworks that enhance organizational compliance and due diligence processes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in compliance and assurance roles within the charity or humanitarian sector.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams effectively.
• Experience in developing risk management frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the assurance team, providing strategic direction.
• Develop risk management frameworks and ensure compliance with legal and donor requirements.
• Collaborate with teams to co-design risk structures around humanitarian work.

Skills

Compliance and assurance expertise

Risk management

Leadership

Strategic advice

Knowledge of donor compliance

Job description

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced compliance and assurance professional to apply their expertise at a strategic level within a global humanitarian network, helping to safeguard public funds and enable faster, more effective responses to crises.

Are you a proven compliance and assurance professional seeking a fulfilling and rewarding role where your expertise (either already gained from the charity sector, or further afield) will make a positive impact? If so join the Start Network, a growing network that is transforming the humanitarian sector to save more lives.

To achieve our mission, it is vital that we ensure the highest standards of transparency, accountability and competent management over the public funds programmed through our member organisations and partners. As Head of Assurance, you'll leverage your compliance and assurance expertise to steer our risk management and due diligence strategies. Specifically, you will be responsible for :

• Strategic Leadership : Lead, inspire, and manage our assurance team, guiding them to excel within Start Network. You'll provide strategic advice and collaborate across the organisation.
• Risk Management and Compliance : Develop robust risk management frameworks that resonate with our mission. Foster a culture of risk awareness, implement controls, and ensure legal and donor compliance.
• Humanitarian Compliance : Working with our hubs and membership team, use your expertise to co-design risk and compliance structures around our humanitarian work. You'll oversee due diligence processes, ensuring alignment with external partners and donor expectations.

This role offers senior-level influence, exposure to Board-level governance, and the opportunity to shape how risk, compliance, and assurance enable humanitarian action at scale.