Save the Children Faces Major Restructuring as Funding
Challenges Loom
Save the Children International (SCI) is set to undergo a
significant restructuring that will result in substantial job cuts at its
London headquarters and five regional offices. This move is part of a broader
strategy to address a projected budget shortfall of $15-20 million over the
coming years. The internal proposal, titled “Fit for the Future,” was shared
with SCI staff on 5 August, highlighting the financial pressures caused by
declining unrestricted funding, rising costs, and inflation.
The restructuring will see hundreds of roles eliminated,
putting more than 500 of the 1,750 staff at these locations at risk of
redundancy. Employees in similar roles will be required to compete for a
reduced number of positions. The changes, set to be implemented in October,
will not affect country offices, according to the proposal.
SCI’s CEO, Inger Ashing, described the restructuring as the
most significant change since the organization’s founding 14 years ago,
emphasizing its necessity for SCI’s continued impact on children’s lives.
However, the plan has sparked concern among staff, with some criticizing the
process as top-down and lacking sufficient input from those on the ground.
In addition to financial challenges, SCI has faced internal
controversies over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with criticisms that
these issues have not been adequately addressed in the restructuring process. A
resignation letter from a former SCI staff member accused the organization of
institutional racism and neocolonialism, further complicating the restructuring
efforts.
Despite these challenges, SCI’s leadership remains committed
to making the organization more interconnected and responsive to the needs of
country offices, while also exploring cost-saving measures, such as reducing
office space.
The exact number of job losses will be determined after
consultations with at-risk staff, who are being asked to provide
counter-proposals and explore options to mitigate the impact of the
restructuring. As SCI navigates these turbulent times, the organization’s
ability to maintain its mission while addressing internal and external
pressures will be closely watched.
