Director to lead the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement MHPSS Hub

Are you a visionary humanitarian leader with a passion for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)? Do you want to shape the future of MHPSS in the world’s largest humanitarian network? The Danish Red Cross, with its partners, seeks a strategic, inclusive and inspiring Director to lead the RCRC Movement MHPSS Hub - the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s global centre of excellence for MHPSS.

About the MHPSS Hub
Drawing on over three decades of experience from the IFRC Psychosocial Centre, the MHPSS Hub was established as a Movement-wide entity in 2024 through a Tripartite Partnership between the IFRC, ICRC, and Danish Red Cross (DRC) to address the growing need for coordinated, high-quality MHPSS in humanitarian contexts and global crises - globally. The MHPSS Hub aims to strengthen the Movement’s capacity to protect mental well-being as a fundamental human right - before, during, and after emergencies as well as in general populations.

Based in Copenhagen, the MHPSS Hub hosts a diverse team of 25 professionals from more than 15 nationalities. The MHPSS Hub works to

• Strengthen National Societies’ MHPSS capacities through training, technical support, and peer learning.
• Shape global policy and practice by providing tools, guidance, and advocacy.
• Respond in emergencies with coordination, innovation, and evidence-based strategies, approaches and tools.

With a 2025 budget of 25 million DKK (approximately 3.1 million CHF), the MHPSS Hub is dedicated to integrating mental health and psychosocial support into every aspect of humanitarian response - both within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and across the wider humanitarian sector, helping ensure that people everywhere can receive the mental health and psychosocial support they need, when and where they need it.

About the Role

The Director of the RCRC Movement MHPSS Hub is employed by the Danish Red Cross and reports to the International Director of the DRC, which, as the host organisation, carries overall responsibility for the MHPSS Hub, including its legal, policy, and financial obligations. In fulfilling the MHPSS Hub’s mandate, the Director works closely with the Steering Committee, providing regular updates and ensuring that the MHPSS Hub’s strategic direction, performance, and impact align with agreed objectives and donor requirements. The Director also serves as Secretary to both the Steering Committee and the Advisory Group.

In this pivotal role, the new Director will guide the MHPSS Hub into its next chapter - honouring its strong legacy while shaping a bold and visionary future. As the MHPSS Hub’s strategic lead, the Director will be accountable for delivering its vision, amplifying its global impact, and guiding a high-performing team in implementing an ambitious new five-year strategy launching in Autumn 2025.

The Director will foster collaboration across the global network, broaden the MHPSS Hub’s reach, and ensure excellence in financial and operational management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement the new five-year strategy for the MHPSS Hub
• Strengthen global visibility, positioning, and partnerships
• Ensure high-quality MHPSS programs, tools, and innovation
• Promote the MHPSS Hub’s expertise and services within the Movement
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture
• Oversee strategic planning, budgeting, and financial accountability
• Ensure strategic resource management
• Represent the MHPSS Hub externally to partners, donors, and stakeholders
• Maintain ongoing communication with the Advisory Group and Steering Committee
• Manage relationships with Movement partners, donors, and inter-agency actors.
• Provide leadership and oversight of fundraising and resource mobilization, ensuring that activities are strategically aligned and effectively coordinated with partners.

The Candidate

We are looking for a highly experienced leader with more than ten years of senior leadership in humanitarian or development contexts, combined with a strong academic and professional background. The ideal candidate brings excellent communication skills and a proven track record in advocacy and public representation, as well as solid experience in team management and intercultural leadership.

Success in building partnerships and driving strategic implementation is essential, along with demonstrated experience in innovation, business development, and resource mobilization. A commitment to inclusive, co-creative leadership is key, and familiarity with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement will be considered an asset.

The candidate should be a strategic and analytical thinker with the resilience and adaptability required to navigate complex humanitarian contexts. The candidate should bring an empathetic and empowering leadership style, with a willingness to delegate effectively and foster collaboration. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and diplomatic skills are essential. Professional fluency in English is required, while Danish is an advantage but not a prerequisite. The role also requires international travel and flexibility in working arrangements.

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to lead a globally respected centre of excellence in mental health and psychosocial support within one of the world’s largest humanitarian organisations. Shape the future of MHPSS, collaborate with leading experts, and help make mental health a universal right.

Employment Details

• Location: Hejrevej 30, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark
• Start Date: November/ December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
• Contract: Open-ended, Danish AC contract
• Salary: 70.000 DKK incl. pension

Recruitment Process

Submit your application and CV via the Danish Red Cross website (email applications will not be accepted).

• Application deadline: September 12th, 2025
• Two interview rounds plus written test for finalists
• Interview panel includes Danish Red Cross leadership, Steering Committee members, HR, and MHPSS Hub staff
• Tentative interview dates:
  • First interview September 25 & 26 2025
  • Second interview: Second week of October 2025

Learn More & Contact

• Visit: MHPSS Hub
• Request draft five-year strategy and Job Description (preferably before 1 September): Shanna Jensen – shjen@rodekors.dk
• General inquiries (only in writing, preferably before 1 September) to: Rikke Friis, Head of International Department – rifri@rodekors.dk with cc to Shanna Jensen shjen@rodekors.dk