Senior Engagement & Membership Officer

Full-time: 37.5 hours per week

Contract length: 1 year (with potential for extension)

Line managed by: Head of Policy & Engagement

Salary: from £35,000

Responsible for line managing: N/A

Location: London (Hybrid – home-based with 2 days in office per week)

About GISF

The Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) is a member-led NGO network working to strengthen security risk management across the humanitarian, development and human rights sectors. With over 140 member organisations, GISF provides resources, convening spaces, and expertise to help keep aid workers safe.

The NGO security sector is fast-moving and globally connected. This role offers a chance to work at the heart of major sector events, engage with leading NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and private sector partners, and contribute to shaping the future of aid worker safety. Occasional travel provides opportunities to attend conferences, support key forums, and meet members across regions.

About the role

GISF is seeking a highly capable professional with strong project management skills, excellent stakeholder engagement experience, and the ability to work independently at pace.

The post-holder will play a pivotal role in delivering GISF’s sector-leading events, ensuring a healthy and active membership network, and driving engagement with the commercial sector. As an outward-facing role with broad engagement responsibilities, we are looking for a confident communicator, a natural relationship-builder, and someone with an organised approach to managing multiple priorities.

Key responsibilities

Member & External Engagement

• Project manage GISF’s annual member forum, ensuring coordination of all contributing staff, guest speakers, contractors, and suppliers.
• Oversee the delivery of GISF’s flagship conference convening NGOs, UN agencies, donors and private sector partners.
• Lead the delivery of additional engagements, including GISF’s programme at the Humanitarian Networks and Partnership Week annually in Geneva, high-level roundtables with donors and states, webinars, and more.
• Represent GISF at sector events with professionalism.
• Contribute to GISF’s influencing work and policy level engagements, working closely with the Head of Policy and Engagement on advocacy efforts, policy messaging, and strategic outreach.

Membership administration

• Proactive scoping of new members and engage with interested prospective members on application process.
• Manage the full membership application pipeline, including due diligence and coordination with the GISF Steering Group to approve new members.
• Working closely with the Communications & Engagement Officer to onboard new members, ensuring they are set up across all relevant systems.
• Track, update, and report on member engagement using Salesforce.

Commercial engagement

• Lead on immediate sponsorship efforts for the 2026 Global Conference, including identifying prospective sponsors, developing tailored sponsorship materials, coordinating follow-up, and ensuring sponsor visibility requirements are integrated into conference planning.
• Support GISF’s wider commercial partnership programme by identifying and nurturing new leads through structured outreach and consistent relationship management.
• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director on sponsor meetings and pitches.
• Maintain accurate tracking of leads and progress on Salesforce.
• Document lessons learned, refine outreach processes, and contribute to the development of a partnership strategy and workflow.

Person specifications

Experience

• Proven experience in project management, event management, partnerships, and programme delivery.
• Experience in similar membership-oriented role or NGO (in the aid or development sector) desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage logistics, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Experience working with external stakeholders, including partners, clients, sponsors, or senior organisational representatives.
• Experience managing or supporting administrative processes, including databases, email communications, and scheduling.

Skills & competencies

• Excellent organisational skills and high attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise information for diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and take initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders at different levels.
• Proficiency with digital tools such as CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), project management platforms, event platforms (Zoom), and standard office software.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Comfortable working remotely and managing workloads with limited supervision.

Attributes

• Flexible, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Commitment to high-quality delivery across processes, systems, and communications.
• Willingness to travel for up to 4 weeks per year.
• Excellent teamwork, relationship-building ability, and positive attitude.

What we offer

• 25 days of annual leave increasing annually after 2 years, up to a maximum 30 days (plus bank holidays)
• Office shutdown between Christmas and New Year
• Employer Pension contributions
• A focus on professional development, including access to overseas events, workshops, and training

How to apply

Application is by submission of a CV and cover letter. This should be sent to recruitment@gisf.ngo

The cover letter should be no more than two pages, and explain why you are interested in this post with GISF and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing date: 22 December 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Interviews: Week of 5^th January 2026 onwards

This post is UK-based. Candidates will need to show evidence of their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information will be provided when an offer of employment is made.