Islamic Relief is a faith-based international aid agency that has served humanity for over 40 years by striving to make the world a better, fairer place. We remain guided by the timeless values and teachings of the Qur’an and prophetic example. As such, you don’t need to be a Muslim to work for us, but you will need to show a commitment to our faith-based values – sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship.
We are driven and motivated by sincerity to God and our duty to humanity.
A commitment to excellence is a hallmark of our operations, programmes and conduct towards the vulnerable people we serve.
Every life is precious, so we join other humanitarian actors in easing the suffering caused by disasters, poverty and injustice.
We empower poor and vulnerable people to have their rights fulfilled and to achieve their God-given potential.
We value and protect the Earth and its resources, including its people, and we aim to honour the trust people place in us to be transparent and accountable.
We follow a clear, values-based policy aligned with the Equality Act 2010, supported by manager training and a new automated HR system.
We advertise through internal platforms, agencies, and global networks, with our Talent Team actively sourcing top candidates.
Candidates are shortlisted using set criteria, interviewed by a panel, and assessed on skills and values. Offers are subject to checks.
Submit your CV and cover letter
Application reviewed by recruitment team
First stage interview Introductory telephone interview with the hiring manager
Second stage interview with the manager and the wider team
Final stage
interview
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is knowing that I am part of a larger mission that saves lives. My passion for photography has allowed me to capture the communities we serve. One of the most rewarding moments in my career was witnessing the transformation in a Kenyan village after we provided clean water access, alleviating the daily burdens on women and girls. At Islamic Relief, I have learned that every day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. My managers have fostered an environment where I feel supported to explore new ideas and develop my skills.
Working at Islamic Relief has truly been a nurturing experience for me. Every day is different, presenting new challenges to tackle and allowing me to collaborate with colleagues from around the world. It's not a monotonous job at all and that's something I really appreciate. 
I started off as an intern right out of university, moved on to be an administrator, then into recruitment and later to international HR as an officer. Now, I'm a HR service coordinator. I've achieved a lot here, progressing every year. I'm also involved in mental health and well-being initiatives, ensuring people are taken care of financially, emotionally and physically. My message to someone considering a career here would be if you believe in the mission and want to help people, you should definitely apply.Our projects work to help vulnerable communities meet the big challenges in their lives. We do this by taking an integrated approach to development, looking at the wider context and causes of their needs, and promoting sustainable, environmentally-friendly outcomes.
We are also determined to empower marginalised people with a strong voice that argues powerfully for the change they need to transform their lives.
Right across the Islamic Relief global family, our 2022-2033 Global Strategy focuses our resources, planning, and programming on achieving these important aims.
In doing so, we work in partnership with those that share our vision of a world in which empowered and socially responsible communities respond as one to the suffering of others.
Islamic Relief is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), we have Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, and we are a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
If you like what you have read so far and are committed to serving the millions trapped in poverty and suffering, then please apply for any appropriate vacancy below. We look forward to hearing from you.
You can only apply for a job advertised on our website. To do so you must complete the relevant online application form, which you can find via our vacancies page.
We welcome applications from people who satisfy the right to work requirement and have the skills and experience set out in the job description.
Register for Job Alerts by creating an account to receive an email when we advertise a role that fits your criteria.
To do this:
We aim to reply to candidates within 4 weeks of the vacancy closing date.
Sometimes there may be a slight delay due to unforeseen circumstances. Longer delays are rare, and if they occur, we will do our best to provide you regular updates.
You will hear from us if we decide to invite you for interview.
If we don’t invite you for interview, unfortunately we are unable to provide you with any feedback as we receive many applications. We thank you for your interest and hope you consider applying for any future positions for which you’re a great fit!
Within your portal, there is a Help option taking you to our providers help hub – they can advise best on any technical glitches if they occur.
Once you submit your application, you can only change your contact details. Simply login to your account and make any necessary changes.
We recommend that you check all details thoroughly before submitting your application.
Islamic Relief offers our colleagues many benefits. Find out more on our What We Offer UK colleagues and What We Offer Expatriate colleagues
Please don’t send us unsolicited CVs, as we don’t accept them.
Jobs with Islamic Relief attract a lot of interest, so we require everyone who wishes to apply to our online application system to do so. This helps ensure a fair recruitment process.
No. We do not discriminate and welcome applications from anyone who meets the criteria for our vacancies.
Islamic Relief are required by law to ensure that all our colleagues have the right to work in the country in which they are employed.
Most of our roles are based in the UK and therefore you must have the right to work in the UK. For any of our global roles, you must have the right to work in the base location.
For expatriate roles, you will be responsible for procuring the relevant work permits and providing any documents as required by the law of the country in which you will be working.
Yes you can, but please make sure you meet the criteria for each job, and that you finish and submit one application before starting another. You must complete a separate application form for each job you apply for.
To support the shortlisting process, please complete your application form with as much detail as possible.
Before you can submit your application you will need to verify your email address, and complete the declaration and submission section. Our system will prompt you to do this.
Right after you have submitted your application it will still appear in your account as ‘In progress’. Check that you have completed all the sections. Within 24 hours you should receive an email confirming we’ve received your application.
That’s why it is very important to make sure you give us the correct email address when you register for an account. An email containing your login details will be emailed to you. If you do not receive this within 24 hours, please email us at recruitment@irworldwide.org to let us know.
To ensure emails from Islamic Relief reach your inbox (rather than bulk or junk folders), please add recruitment@irworldwide.org to your address book.
We don’t offer international based volunteering opportunities but donating your time is a fantastic way to support Islamic Relief. We have a variety of volunteering opportunities based in the UK.
We offer a range of opportunities through our paid internship programme.
For more information, see our current vacancies page for any available opportunities.
We will always treat your personal information with the utmost care and will keep it private (read our privacy policy). You can opt out at any time by contacting us via email at IslamicReliefWorldwide@irworldwide.org or by clicking the unsubscribe button on one of the emails you receive from us.
Zia Salik was appointed Interim Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2025, and brings with him over 18 years of third sector experience. He has held several leadership roles within Islamic Relief UK, including National Events Coordinator, National Community Fundraising Manager, Head of Fundraising, and Deputy Director. Zia has led national fundraising strategies, managed large-scale campaigns and events, and contributed significantly to volunteer development, donor engagement and public outreach.
As Interim Director, Zia oversees multiple teams and contributes to strategic planning, operational leadership and organisational growth. He is recognised for his expertise in major donor management, public speaking, media engagement and community fundraising. Zia has been instrumental in building strong community networks and delivering impactful campaigns.
Before joining Islamic Relief, Zia served as Programmes Manager at Humber All Nations Alliance, where he led organisational growth, project delivery and funding proposals.
Zia is a seasoned leader committed to social justice, who brings a collaborative, mission-driven approach to his work, helping to amplify voices and maximise impact in the charity sector.
Nadeem has a wealth of experience from the charity, statutory and private sectors. He is the Managing Director of HAD (a division of IRW) which is a centre of excellence seeking to empower the humanitarian sector and maximise its effectiveness and from October 2025 will serve as our interim CEO.
Before joining Islamic Relief, for nearly a decade at the General Medical Council — a globally recognised professional regulator — Nadeem managed strategic relationships with Chief Medical Officers and senior leaders. Prior to that, he served as the UK Director of Islamic Help, engaging closely with many international non-governmental organisations and playing a key role in fundraising and media activities.
In 2000, Nadeem was admitted as a solicitor. He spent nearly 8 years as a Partner at a law firm specialising in employment, regulatory and charity law. He has published papers, including in the Modern Law Review, and chapters in books.
Nadeem is deeply committed to strengthening civil society organisations and the charity sector, and throughout his career has focused on improving foundations for future generations and building strong networks. Nadeem has particular expertise working in matters of Learning and Development, especially personal and professional development, combining Islamic principles with modern techniques and interventions. He is also especially interested in psychological perspectives and cognitive distortions. He has designed and delivered training to thousands of people for nearly 3 decades.
As well as individual development and growth, Nadeem has spent 20 years working with organisations to manage and lead people to improve outcomes and efficiencies. He is a Consultant Coach, qualified at ILM Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring and ILM Level 7 in Executive and Senior Leadership Coaching. He was Chair of the Independent Advisory Group for the Professional Standards Department of West Midlands Police for 4 years, where he was awarded recognition for his ‘Outstanding Work.’
Saqeb Mueen
Asha joined Islamic Relief in 2025 with the aim of working with colleagues to create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute meaningfully to our shared mission.
Asha has more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership across a range of industries, holding roles at Thomson Reuters, BMW, Movado Group and others. She is passionate about building strong, resilient teams and fostering positive workplace cultures where individuals are empowered to thrive, contribute and do their best work.
Asha holds a BA in Management, Economics and Law, as well as a BA in Business Studies. She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.
Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.
Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.
Nadeem Azhar
Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.
He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.
Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.
Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.
Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.
Salaheddin joined Islamic Relief UK in 2006 and over the next 7 years held multiple roles, including Community Fundraiser and Campaigns Manager, before joining Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2013.
Since then, Salaheddin has been instrumental in the launch and growth of new Islamic Relief member offices in Ireland, Spain, Norway and Finland, as well as providing essential support and guidance to existing members, including Italy, where he served as CEO for 3 years.
In 2023, Salaheddin became Deputy Director of Global Family Development and in this role has continued to play a crucial part in steering Islamic Relief’s growth and expansion. He has also led global fundraising and media engagement for major emergencies including the Türkiye-Syria earthquake and Libya floods. Salaheddin became the Interim Director of Global Family Development in 2025.
Salaheddin holds a master’s degree in International Development and is actively involved in several community-led initiatives. He is currently the Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scouts and Deputy Chair of the UK Muslim Scouts Fellowship as well as Chair of the South Birmingham Muslim Community Association.
Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.
Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.
Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.
With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.
