Deputy Head of Region MENA

Are you a high-performing humanitarian professional who feels passionate about providing leadership to the Danish Red Cross’ strategic engagement in the Middle East and Northern Africa? Do you thrive in a dynamic context with coordination, problem-solving and business development in focus?

The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian organization, and we are looking for a Deputy Head of Region in MENA.

Danish Red Cross aims to make a difference for people living in complex and protracted crisis contexts. Our focus areas include Health (MHPSS, NCD), Disaster Management, and inclusion of marginalized groups. Activating strategic initiatives of local led action, partnership, data management, influencing humanitarian agenda, and innovative 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 through regional programme, 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 9 other staff for HR, Programme Coordination and Support, Finance, Logistics and PMEAL (some staff are line-managed from HQ).

The Deputy Head of Region (DHoR) position is based at the DRC Regional Office MENA in Beirut, Lebanon with the overall purpose to deputize and support the DRC Head of Region (HoR) in strategic engagement, 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 Egypt and North Africa.

The DHoR is part of the DRC MENA management team with direct reference to the DRC HoR, based in Amman with travel within the region including to high security risk contexts as required up to 25% of the work time.

Key responsibilities

• Business and programme development in the region with an overall growth objective in close cooperation with the HoR
• Deputizing and representing the DRC Regional Office MENA 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 (currently Egypt with a likely expansion to one or two additional countries in North Africa)
• Day-to-day management of the Regional Office and line-management of regional staff in close dialogue with the DRC HoR MENA
• Drive organisational processes in close collaboration with the HoR

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

Expected results

• New opportunities for business development and resource mobilisation identified and pursued across the region with an objective to increase DRC impact
• Responsible, timely and compliant management of the DRC Regional Office including line-management of regional staff (expected 3-4 staff). Ensure work satisfaction and wellbeing of the team
• Successful management of partnerships with Host National Societies in countries of engagement without DRC presence
• Timely and quality narrative and financial reporting at country and project levels in countries of engagement without DRC presence
• 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 MENA region in the absence of the HoR

Experience and qualifications

Required:

• Full professional proficiency in English speaking and writing
• Master’s Degree in relevant academic background, e.g. social sciences, economics, development studies, or other relevant field
• Minimum of 8 years relevant work experience from humanitarian organisations in fragile contexts or protracted crises
• Minimum of 5 years relevant of international deployment to humanitarian and fragile or protracted crisis contexts (expatriate work experience)
• Experience with team leading and staff/team management including security management
• 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
• Ability to work in demanding situations under pressure
• Excellent communication, coordination, networking and facilitation skills
• Results oriented, patience and cultural sensitivity skills

Preferred:

• Work proficiency in Arabic speaking and writing
• Working experience from MENA and preferably in DRCs countries of operation is a strong asset
• Experience from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
• Valid international driving licence

You will become part of the world's largest humanitarian organization

For more than a century, Danish Red Cross has played a prominent role in promoting humanitarian principles and actions to alleviate human suffering. As a national society, we are a member of a global network of more than 190 national societies joined in the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and a key partner to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Through this global network of staff and volunteers, we assist and support people in need, irrespective of their political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender, or legal status, and promote the wellbeing and aspirations of people experiencing vulnerability and marginalisation throughout the world.

International Department in the Danish Red Cross are in close cooperation with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies present in more than 20 countries and have an annual turnover of more than 750 million Danish kroner. Read more about who we are Our Work | Røde Kors.

Application, conditions, and further information

The duty station is Beirut, Lebanon, with considerable travel requirement. Lebanon is currently classified as a non-family duty station and has no R&R (rest and recuperation). The classification of R&R duty stations is revised yearly and is subject for change.

The contract period is 2 years with a possibility of extension depending on circumstances. Expected starting date 1st of October 2025, with a 3-month probationary period. We look forward to receiving your application and CV no later than 04/09/2025 22:59. Application and CV in English are accepted only through our online recruitment system. Applications sent by email will not be accepted.

The contract will be administered in accordance with the Danish Red Cross Terms & Conditions for Delegates. Please refer to it for information about annual leave, benefits, pension and insurances. In case you have any questions or might need more information please see further Deputy HoR Mena_JD or contact the DRC Head of Region for MENA, Duc-Bang Nguyen dungu@rodekors.dk.

We look forward to hearing from you!