What we offer UK colleagues

For staff based in the UK

Islamic Relief Worldwide recognises our staff are our biggest asset, and so we offer a range of benefits designed to support their professional development, mental and physical health, and work/life balance.

Personal learning and development opportunities

We offer a range of in-house and e-learning training programmes as part of our commitment to the professional development of all our staff.

We also provide colleagues with the opportunity to apply for role-specific courses.

To find out more, please visit the website of our training and learning division, the Humanitarian Academy for Development. It has an extensive programme of in-house courses and workshops and also runs externally accredited programmes.

Annual leave and additional leave

Islamic Relief Worldwide offers a minimum 22 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time and fixed-term employees) in addition to bank holidays, increasing by an additional day each year (up to a maximum 6 years).

The annual leave year begins on January and ends on December each year.

In addition, our employees also enjoy an extra 4 days leave for the Islamic celebration of Eid. These days are to be taken on the days that Islamic Relief declares as official Eid days.

Part-time colleagues have their Eid Days calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Service related pension scheme

Colleagues are automatically enrolled onto our workplace pension scheme after 2 months service, with the option to opt out once enrolled, or opt in early and increase your contribution.

Wellbeing

Healthcare cash plan

Islamic Relief Worldwide offers an excellent healthcare cash plan which is designed to help staff cover day-to-day healthcare costs and offers 100% cash back (up to policy limits) for a variety of different medical treatments which may include:

Dental check-ups, X-Rays and hygienist fees

Eye tests, spectacles and contact lenses

Medical prescriptions

Physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatments

The plan currently on offer includes the option to take up discounted gym membership as well as retail discounts, though these may be subject to change at any time.

Employee assistance support

Our colleagues can access confidential counselling and seek confidential initial help and support from our team of trained mental health first aiders. We also have annual Mental Health Awareness Days for our staff.

Maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave and pay

Maternity

All employees are entitled to a 26-week period of Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) irrespective of their length of service or the number of hours per week that they work.

All employees are also entitled to a further 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave, which, if the colleague decides to take it up, will begin immediately after OML, therefore entitling the employee to a total of 52 weeks leave. This is irrespective of the length of service or the number of hours per week that are worked.

Employees with the relevant qualifying service with Islamic Relief are entitled to receive Enhanced Maternity Pay (EMP). This is detailed as below:

Week 1 to 6: 90% of your average weekly earnings (Statutory Maternity Pay)

Week 7 to 26: 90% of your average weekly earnings (Statutory Maternity Pay topped up by EMP)

Week 27 to 39: 50% of your average weekly earnings (Statutory Maternity Pay topped up by EMP)

Week 40 to 52: unpaid

Paternity

We offer Paternity Leave to our colleagues. To qualify for Statutory Paternity Leave (SPL), you must have at least 26 weeks continuous service with Islamic Relief Worldwide.

The Enhanced Paternity Pay entitlement is 2 weeks at actual pay. To qualify for Enhanced Paternity Pay, you must have at least 52 weeks service with us.

Adoption

We also offer Adoption Leave. When a colleague takes time off to adopt a child or have a child through a surrogacy arrangement, they may be eligible for Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave. Employees can take up to 52 weeks’ Statutory Adoption Leave (SAL). The first 26 weeks is known as Ordinary Adoption Leave (OAL), the last 26 weeks as Additional Adoption Leave (AAL). The same rates of pay and qualification periods will apply as Maternity Pay.

Shared Parental Leave

Colleagues can start Shared Parental Leave (SPL) if they are eligible and they or their partner end their maternity or adoption leave or pay early. The remaining leave will be available as SPL. The remaining pay may be available as Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). This means that the maternity leave can be split between partners. Employees can take SPL in up to 3 separate blocks. They can also share the leave with their partner if they’re also eligible. Parents can also choose how much of the SPL each of them will take.

Occupational Enhanced Sick Pay

Islamic Relief Worldwide offers sick pay which increases with length of service. These arrangements are intended to supplement statutory sick pay, to provide additional payment during absence due to illness, injury or other disability. Islamic Relief operates a contractual sick/injury pay scheme (inclusive of SSP) which provides payment during periods of certificated sickness.

Field visits

For those staff for whom visiting field offices is not routine in their day-to-day role, as part of the staff appraisal and development plan after 5 years’ service, there is the opportunity to visit a field office for 1 week.

Charity volunteering

All employees with over 52 weeks of service will have the opportunity to volunteer for 1-3 days per year at an Islamic Relief charity shop, Islamic Relief partners and/or TIC International.

Cycle to work scheme

Islamic Relief Worldwide operates a cycle to work scheme. This is a government initiative to encourage more people to commute to and from work by bike, enabling people to make healthier choices, and reducing the UK’s carbon footprint. The initiative also allows staff to make huge tax and National Insurance savings on the cost of a new bike and safety accessories. These savings are achieved via salary sacrifice, which is managed by the employer and lets staff spread the cost to make payments more convenient.

On-site car parking (Birmingham only)

Free on-site car parking is available, on a first come first served basis, for all staff at 19 Rea Street South, Birmingham and HAD, Sampson Road North, Birmingham.

On-site facilities

Unlimited free tea, coffee and water dispensers are available.

Please note that all benefits are subject to change in light of organisational and financial performance

new director

Director of Network and Resource 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

General Counsel

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.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource 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.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

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.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

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.