Head of Communications (maternity cover 9-12 months)

• Experience leading high profile and effective multi-functional, globally focused communication and marketing teams.
• Strong critical analysis and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience of providing strategic, integrated communications and compelling (corporate) storytelling for a well-known brand.
• Proven experience and an excellent eye for content marketing, global campaign and PR possibilities.
• Track record and a keen ability in responding to reputational risks, crises or challenging situations quickly and professionally
• Intellectual and professional level at least equivalent to higher education and with a focus on a background in humanitarian affairs and development, ideally with exposure to child rights.
• Knowledge and experience of global brand identity development and promotion
• Knowledge and experience of global advocacy focused communications campaigns
• Strong ability to express skillfully in written and oral English is a must; mastery in Arabic, Dutch, French or Spanish is preferred.
• A highly networked individual, with a sophisticated network of contacts.
• Strong people manager and skillful team builder

• Location : Amsterdam or UK. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation or visa sponsorship.
• Contract Duration: 9 – 12 months
  • • Contract Type: Dutch /UK contract provided that you have the right to work there. 
    • Salary and benefits are in line with your residing country and contracting office, we offer local packages.
      • UK Contract
        • Salary range £62100 – £70100GBP per annum
        • Flexible working – we recognise the considerable benefits that flexible working can bring and are happy to discuss any possible flexible working options with our employees from hiring. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, occasional working from home and compressed hours.
        • Annual leave – 28 days per year (full-time) rising to 33 days with service, plus bank holidays
        • Pension – all eligible employees automatically enrolled into a Group Personal Pension Plan with a 5% employer contribution, with minimum employee contribution on a salary sacrifice basis. This increases to 6% after one year’s service.
        • Family leave – we offer enhanced Maternity, Partner/Co-Parent/Paternity Leave, Adoption & Shared Parental Leave
        • Health & wellbeing – employees may take advantage of a healthcare cash plan and a range of wellbeing initiatives and training. In addition, all employees have access to free, confidential one-to-one wellbeing consultations with trained counsellors.
        • Learning & development – dedicated to the investment in learning and continuing professional development for all our employees
        • Workplace Nursery Benefit – employees make tax and NI savings on nursery costs for children up to the age of 5
        • Flexible public holidays – up to two standard UK public holidays can be exchanged for those that have cultural or religious significance. 
        • Cancer Cover: Voluntary contributions can be made through payroll allowing employees to claim back on a range of cancer treatments.
        • GP 24/7 Helpline: A GP helpline is be available to all UK employees providing access to a qualified GP, 24/7 via a telephone or webcam consultation, and offers diagnosis, advice and reassurance on a range of medical matters, as well as authorisation of private electronic prescriptions.
        • Welcome Bag for new starters: A War Child Tote bag, War Child T-shirt and some other practical things to welcome new colleagues to War Child.
        • Discounts on War Child Merchandise: 25% discount on full price War Child merchandise, available to all employees, sold through Shop for Good.
        • Range of flexible benefits such a Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loans.
      •  NL Contract
        • Salary range € 5131 – € 6380
        • Flexible working: Flexible working policy
        • Pension -Full pension contribution from War Child
        • Annual leave : 28 vacation days on full time basis (consisting of 26 vacation days plus 2 additional fixed free days, based on 40 hours work week);
        • Compensation for travel and work from home costs;
        • Laptop to work from any location and monthly mobile phone contribution of € 25;
        • Learning & development – Possibility to follow training and/or courses where relevant;
  • Meaningful Impact: The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families affected by conflict, contributing to long-term, sustainable change.
  • Equal Opportunities: War Child is an inclusive employer committed to diversity and inclusion, respecting all individuals regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.
  • Workplace Culture: War Child is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace that prioritizes safety and fairness for all individuals. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying within our organization

Why You Should Apply

• Make a Real Impact: Your work will directly contribute to providing quality education to children who need it most, creating lasting change in their lives.
• Career Growth: Join a dynamic organization that values your professional development and offers opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation.
• Global Reach: Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme that operates in multiple conflict-affected regions around the world.
• Collaborative and Mission-Driven: Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners united in a mission to protect children and help them thrive despite adversity.

 
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by November 20, 2025. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended.

Disclaimer

• Only applications received via our website are processed.
• If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
• It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.
• We have the right to close the advert before the deadline if we received many applications 

By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.

War Child is an international organisation, and we are committed to be a diverse and inclusive employer, placing human and child rights at the centre of our existence and work. We hire our new colleagues based on their talents, competences and shared values; we do not distinguish them based on their age, gender and gender identity, race, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, disability etc.

The safety of children and youth is a paramount and essential to War Child’s work. War Child has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of abuse. To prevent placing children and youth at any risk this subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures. Moreover, the accepted candidates will be required to state their commitment/ intent to be aware, consider and adhere to the minimum standards applicable in development and humanitarian settings, such as humanitarian values and principles, Sphere Humanitarian Charter, Standards in the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, Core Humanitarian Standard, International Humanitarian Law, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.