International human rights organisation Front Line Defenders has announced the recruitment of a new Head of Protection Grants, a senior leadership role based in Dublin, Ireland. The permanent position will report directly to the Director of Protection Grants and Consortium Engagement and will play a critical role in strengthening protection mechanisms for human rights defenders facing immediate risks across the globe.

The vacancy comes as Front Line Defenders continues to expand its efforts to provide rapid, flexible, and effective responses to human rights defenders (HRDs) who face threats due to their peaceful work in promoting and protecting human rights.

Key Leadership Role in Global Human Rights Protection

The Head of Protection Grants will oversee a specialised team responsible for delivering emergency support to human rights defenders at risk. This support includes practical security measures such as:

Legal assistance
Medical support
Emergency relocation assistance
Family protection measures
Organisational security support
Other urgent protection needs identified by defenders and their communities

The successful candidate will be expected to balance the urgent protection requirements of human rights defenders with the strict financial and compliance obligations associated with donor-funded programmes.

According to Front Line Defenders, the role requires a strategic leader capable of ensuring that protection grants are managed effectively while maintaining accountability, transparency, and compliance with organisational and donor requirements.

Strengthening Global Protection Programmes

The Protection Grants team consists of regional and thematic coordinators working alongside the Director of Protection Grants. The Head of Protection Grants will provide overall leadership, management, and strategic direction for the team.

Core responsibilities include coordinating daily grant operations, ensuring timely grant delivery, and maintaining adherence to Front Line Defenders’ policies and procedures regarding grant assessments and eligibility verification.

The successful applicant will also work closely with regional teams and programme staff to ensure coordinated responses to emerging threats facing human rights defenders worldwide.

Among the major duties are:

Managing the protection grants programme budget
Monitoring expenditure and donor commitments
Coordinating audits and compliance reviews
Producing donor expenditure reports
Overseeing grants management databases
Conducting trend analysis and reporting
Ensuring safeguarding and health and safety standards are upheld

The position will also involve designing systems that improve financial oversight by aligning grants management records with accounting systems to eliminate discrepancies and maintain balanced records.

Supporting Human Rights Defenders Worldwide

Front Line Defenders is an Ireland-based international organisation that works exclusively to protect human rights defenders at risk. The organisation supports individuals and groups who face persecution, threats, intimidation, or violence because of their peaceful efforts to defend the rights of others.

Through a range of programmes, Front Line Defenders provides:

Emergency protection grants
Physical security training
Digital security support
Advocacy initiatives
International lobbying efforts
Awareness campaigns

The Head of Protection Grants will contribute directly to these efforts by ensuring that resources are distributed effectively and reach defenders in urgent need of support.

Candidate Requirements and Qualifications

Front Line Defenders is seeking an experienced professional with extensive expertise in human rights protection and organisational leadership.

Minimum requirements include:

At least 10 years of senior-level experience in human rights defender protection or a comparable human rights leadership role
Experience working within international or regional human rights organisations
Strong people management and staff development experience
Budget management and fundraising expertise
Experience managing remote and multicultural teams
Knowledge of audit processes and risk management frameworks
Proficiency in database and information management systems
Fluency in written and spoken English
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification

The organisation is also looking for candidates with strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities, particularly in high-pressure environments where rapid responses are required.

Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to lead teams through complex emergencies, emerging crises, and challenging operational contexts while maintaining compliance with donor and organisational standards.

Competitive Salary and Employee Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a competitive annual salary ranging from €73,327 to €91,382, depending on experience and qualifications.

Additional benefits include:

26 days of annual leave
Pension scheme
Paid health insurance
Income protection coverage
Life assurance benefits
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Monthly well-being provisions

These benefits reflect Front Line Defenders’ commitment to employee welfare, professional development, and long-term staff retention.

Application Deadline and Interview Schedule

Interested candidates are required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter by 4:00 PM Irish time on Wednesday, 1 July 2026.

Applications must be submitted through the Front Line Defenders recruitment portal.

The organisation has indicated that first-round interviews are expected to take place on 6 and 7 July 2026.

As global challenges facing human rights defenders continue to evolve, Front Line Defenders says the appointment of a Head of Protection Grants will play a vital role in ensuring the organisation remains responsive, accountable, and effective in delivering protection to those who need it most.

Human rights professionals with extensive leadership experience and a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable defenders are encouraged to apply for this strategic and impactful position.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.