Chief Operating Officer

Some organisations need a COO to optimise systems. INSO needs one to help keep the organisation's growth and development aligned while the world becomes less stable.At a time when the humanitarian sector is being forced to rethink how it operates, funds, and survives, INSO is entering a defining period of institutional reform, structural strengthening, and operational renewal.We are now recruiting our first-ever Chief Operating Officer - a rare opportunity to help shape the internal engine of the world’s leading humanitarian safety organisation.This is not a role for someone who simply keeps the machine running.This is for someone who can redesign the machine while it is still moving.
Why this role mattersINSO supports humanitarian organisations operating in some of the world’s most insecure and complex environments. Every day, our teams help NGOs make safer decisions through incident tracking, analysis, crisis support, training, and coordination.Behind that external mission must sit an organisation that is resilient, disciplined, scalable, and structurally fit for purpose.That is where you come in.As COO, you will work in direct partnership with the Executive Director, leading INSO’s internal architecture across HR, Finance, Operations, systems, compliance, and organisational effectiveness, so that our global teams can deliver where it matters most.
What you will be asked to doYou will help build an organisation that is:

• clearer in structure
• stronger in accountability
• leaner in systems
• more resilient under pressure
• better aligned between headquarters and country operations

You will lead across Organisational Design & ReformShape structures, clarify roles, modernise systems, strengthen legal and institutional architecture, and drive meaningful change without losing operational continuity. Leadership of Organisational ServicesOversee and align support functions into one coherent platform that truly enables programmes, not slows them down. Risk, Governance & ComplianceStrengthen controls, audits, donor accountability, risk management, and executive decision-making in a way that is practical, not bureaucratic. Culture & PerformanceBring clarity, discipline, calm, and cohesion, especially during change.
Who this role is forThis role is likely a strong fit if you have:

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in humanitarian operations at global or executive level
• Deep cross-functional understanding of HR, Finance, Operations, Systems, Procurement, Grants, and Compliance
• Strong experience with institutional donor frameworks and organisational accountability
• A track record of reforming structures, improving systems, and leading through complexity
• The maturity to operate as a true executive partner — balancing vision, governance, and operational reality

This role is not designed for profiles with only country-level or regional humanitarian experience, or for those without substantial exposure to the institutional realities of the humanitarian sector.
Who you areYou are likely someone who:

• sees patterns before others see problems
• knows how to bring order without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
• can make difficult decisions fairly and calmly
• knows how to build trust across senior teams
• has the discipline to protect quality while accelerating delivery
• can simplify complexity without oversimplifying reality

In short:You are the kind of leader who can help an organisation become more effective, more coherent, and more durable, without losing its humanitarian soul.
What INSO offersLocation: The Hague, NetherlandsContract: Full-time, fixed-term, renewableSalary: EUR 10,400 gross/month + 8% vacation allowanceLeave: 2.5 days annual leave per monthHealth Insurance: ONVZ Basic Premium for staff member and dependentsRelocation Support: IncludedVisa: Eligible for the Highly Skilled Migrant visa
A note on leadership diversityINSO is committed to strengthening women’s leadership in safety and security, and we would particularly welcome applications from women.
How to applyPlease submit:

• your CV in English
• your cover letter in the separate field in the application form

If you are looking for a role that is not only senior, but structurally meaningful, mission-critical, and genuinely capable of shaping how a global humanitarian organisation works from the inside out — we would be very interested to hear from you.