Danish Red Cross Head of Region in MENA

Are you a high-performance humanitarian professional who can provide leadership to the Danish Red Cross strategic engagement in the Middle East and Northern Africa?

Danish Red Cross aims to make a difference for people living in complex and protracted crisis contexts with a focus on health, disaster management and inclusion of marginalized groups, activating strategic initiatives of localization, partnership, data management, influencing humanitarian agenda, and new financing (International strategy 2022-25).

Danish Red Cross in MENA (Middle East and Northern Africa) is engaged through partnerships in Iraq, Syria, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Yemen and Libya with approximately 30 staff in the region. Five Country Managers report to the Head of Region, and the regional office consists of a Deputy Head of Region and 12 other staff for Communication, HR, Programme Support, Finance and Logistics. In addition, technical staff for MHPSS, PMEAL and Health (some staff are global and line managed from HQ).

The overall purpose of the Head of Region position is to provide leadership in setting the strategic direction for the region; in partnership, in programme and business development; and to manage and support Country Managers in becoming high performant managers. The Head of Region for MENA is based in Beirut, Lebanon and refers to the Head of International Operations and Programmes, based in Copenhagen.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic direction and support
• HR and security management
• Risk management
• Programme and business development
• Partnership and stakeholder management
• Global management responsibilities

Expected results:

• The region’s strategic direction is relevant, updated and provides clear guidance to the organization this includes approval of country strategies.
• Country Managers are highly performant delivering on their country strategies, results and line management responsibilities including employee satisfaction.
• Risks elevated to the regional level (operational, financial, partnership etc.) and Security are well managed.
• New opportunities for strategic engagement and business development are identified and pursued across the region.
• Regional partnerships and partnerships with National Societies, Movement and non-Movement partners, donors and other key stakeholders are well managed in the region.
• Strong contribution to Danish Red Cross’ extended management group.

Required experience and qualifications You have a relevant academic background, e.g., a master’s degree in social or economic sciences, development studies, or another relevant field with:

• Minimum of 8 years relevant work experience from humanitarian organisations in humanitarian and fragile or protracted crisis contexts.
• Knowledge of the MENA humanitarian context.
• Strategic mindset, and capacity to perform through others.
• Proficiency in team and staff management including security management.
• Experience with business, idea and concept development within the humanitarian sector.
• Experience with programme development and implementation through partner organisations.
• Working experience from MENA an advantage.
• Experience from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is an asset.

In addition:

• Confident self-management.
• Ability to work in demanding situations under pressure.
• Excellent communication, coordination, networking, and facilitation skills.
• Results oriented, patience and inclusive management skills.
• Full proficiency in English speaking and writing is a requirement, Arabic an asset.

Employment Conditions

The starting date is 1 June 2022 or earliest thereafter. The duty station is Beirut, Lebanon, with considerable travel requirement.

Salary and employment conditions will be according to Danish Red Cross collective bargain agreement with HK and AC between DKK 46.000 and 62.000 including allowances and pension depending on experience and qualifications.

In case you need more information on the position, please contact Danish Red Cross Head of International Operations and Programmes, Signe Yde-Andersen, +45 53611917