Deputy Head of Region Africa

Are you a high performing humanitarian professional who can provide inclusive leadership to the Danish Red Cross engagement in the Africa region? If yes come and join us at the Danish Red Cross!

Danish Red Cross aims to make a difference for people with high vulnerability living in complex, fragile and protracted crises contexts, and facing disasters and conflicts. The Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been present in Africa for four decades. Currently DRC is engaged in 10 countries in Africa with an annual turnover of approximately EUR 35 million, 60 expatriate and national staff under local contract and 8 country offices (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan). In these countries, DRC supports the National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies within resilience building, emergency response, preparedness and anticipatory action, health notably non-communicable diseases and psychosocial support, youth and volunteer management, migration, and branch development.

The Deputy Head of Region (DHoR) position is based at the DRC Regional Office Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the overall purpose to deputize and support the DRC Head of Region (HoR) in strategic engagement and business development and resource mobilisation, Regional Office management as well as representation towards Host National Societies, Movement and non-Movement partners, donors and other key stakeholders in the region. In addition, the DHoR is responsible for remote country representation in countries of engagement without DRC presence, currently Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

The DHoR is part of the DRC Africa management team with direct reference to the DRC HoR, based in Addis Ababa with travel within the region including to high security risk contexts as required to fulfill the Job Description outlined here up to 60 days annually.

Key responsibilities

The DHoR main areas of responsibility are:

• Business and project portfolio development in the region with an overall growth objective in close cooperation with the HoR
• Deputizing and representing the DRC Regional Office Africa as agreed with the HoR in a division of responsibilities and in the absence of the HoR
• Remote country representation in countries of engagement without DRC presence and representation, currently Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe

Day-to-day management of the Regional Office and line management of regional staff in close dialogue with the DRC HoR Africa

The position will include key tasks within business development, project idea and concept development, resource mobilisation, management, coordination, representation and general support to the DRC HoR and Country Managers in the Africa region.

Expected results:

• New opportunities for business development and resource mobilisation identified and pursued across the region but with a particular focus on Sahel with an overall expansion and impact objective
• Responsible, timely and compliant management of the DRC Regional Office incl line management and supervision of regional staff (expected 5-6 staff)
• Successful management of partnerships with Host National Societies in countries of engagement without DRC presence, currently Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe
• Timely and quality narrative and financial reporting at country and project levels in countries of engagement without DRC presence, currently Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe
• Successful representation of DRC towards National Societies, Movement and non-Movement partners, donors and other key stakeholders in the region
• Smooth and loyal caretaker responsibilities as acting HoR as well as in representing the Africa region in the absence of the HoR

Experience and qualifications

Required:

• Relevant academic background, e.g. Master Degree in social or economic sciences, development studies, or other relevant field
• Minimum of 8 years relevant work experience from humanitarian organisations in humanitarian and fragile or protracted crisis contexts
• Minimum of 3 years relevant international deployment to humanitarian and fragile or protracted crisis contexts (expatriate work experience)
• Experience with team leading and staff/team management including security management is a requirement
• Proven experience with business, idea and concept development within the humanitarian sector
• Proven experience on resource mobilisation with major donors/funds including EU/ECHO, Danida and Foundations
• Proven experience on programme development and implementation through partner organisations
• Proven experience with project cycle and financial management of humanitarian projects
• Experience with leading or being part of consortia of partners jointly implementing programmes
• Good analytical skills and confident self-management in situations of stress
• Ability to work in demanding situations under pressure
• Excellent communication, coordination, networking and facilitation skills
• Results oriented, patience and cultural sensitivity skills
• Full professional proficiency in English speaking and writing

Preferred:

• Working experience from Africa and preferably Sahel is a strong asset
• Experience from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is a strong asset
• Work proficiency in French speaking and writing is a very strong asset
• Valid international driving licence

How to apply

You can apply here: Deputy Head of Region Africa I Røde Kors

The duty station is Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with considerable travel requirement. Addis Ababa is currently classified as a family duty station. Expected starting date 15 July 2025. The contract period is 2 years with a possibility of extension depending on circumstances.

Deadline for submission of application is 1 May. We expect interviews to take place during May and recruitment to be concluded before 1 June.

Salary and employment conditions will be according to Danish Red Cross Terms and Conditions for Long Term Delegates. The total gross monthly salary including allowances and pension starts at DKK 50,000 for this level position.

In case you need more information on the position, please contact Danish Red Cross Head of Region Africa, Bjarne Andreasen: bjand@rodekors.dk