Vacancies from membersHead of Communications (maternity cover 9-12 months)
Vacancy

Head of Communications (maternity cover 9-12 months)

  • Apply for: 20/11/2025
  • Location: Amsterdam/ UK
  • Hours a week: 40
Your mission
We are looking for an experienced, forward-thinking Head of Communications who will be responsible for the global communication strategy and ensure that key stakeholders, such as (institutional) fundraisers and marketing and communication teams in our fundraising markets have the necessary inspiring content, assets and information about our programmes. You will lead the War Child Alliance Foundation’s communications team and will also ensure there is an outstanding communications and marketing platform for our critical programmes, advocacy and scaling work. You will  plan for and support the War Child Alliance internal communications processes to foster information sharing and support our People and Culture and Leadership teams.

Team

The War Child Alliance Communications team is responsible for the brand and the reputation on a global level for War Child, as well as overseeing all global and corporate communications and supporting the communications requirements of the War Child Alliance Foundation directorates. In tandem, the team also offers a robust service provision to our fundraising member network, supplying them with content, information and assets to support their communications and marketing outputs, and supports our internal communications processes across the Alliance.

What you will do: 

You will report directly to the CEO of the War Child Alliance. Your key stakeholders will be those that are leading our programmes, scaling and advocacy work, global grants managers, research and development teams and the Fundraising and communications professionals operating in our fundraising markets. You’ll lead, motivate and inspire a hugely talented team to innovate and adopt new ways of working in order to deliver our global communications.

You will be responsible for: 

  • Implementing the War Child Alliance Foundation’s communications and marketing strategy, linked to the Alliance strategy and goals, managing risks and barriers and overcoming these
  • Designing and running processes with colleagues across the Alliance to coordinate comms approaches which work effectively for all Alliance members and offices.
  • Managing (in some cases, developing) in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, communication guidelines and policies, content calendar, campaigning frameworks and other marketing and comm’s tools and standard operating processes that enable strategy implementation.
  • Overseeing the creation of creative and inspiring content about country and global programmes, research results and scaling efforts, our advocacy work and campaigns that help to raise brand visibility and engage new supporters and donors
  • Acting as an inspirational team leader, able to bring others together so that there is a sense of shared purpose and cooperation among the Alliance members’ communication and fundraising teams.
  • Drawing on the benefits of international diversity and our organisational culture, bring together people from many cultures with varied work experiences and different perspectives on strategic and organisational challenges.
  • Pro-actively advise the CEO and stakeholders on internal and external global communications.
  • Act as a focal point in the alliance for questions regarding internal and external communications.
  • Act as a communications crisis focal point and lead in crisis situations.
Your profile
  • 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
What we offer
  • 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.
      • Salary range if based in UK £62100 – £70100GBP per annum .
      • Flexible working policy
      • 19.6 vacation days
      • Pension contribution from War Child
  • 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.

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About us
The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/

Safeguarding and Integrity
Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm. All (prospective) employees will be expected to be compliant with and sign up to our Child Safeguarding policy, our Code of Conduct and PSEA: Adults at Risk Policy. You can find the Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policy here: Integrity & Safeguarding – Home

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB)
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring that all our people and job applicants are treated fairly, irrespective of where, what or whom they were born, or of other characteristics. We want to offer a safe and inclusive workplace where all our people, especially those who are currently marginalised or underrepresented, can be themselves at work. You can read our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) policy on our website, and if you have any questions about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) do get in touch: DEIB.team@warchild.net

Head of Communications (maternity cover 9-12 months)