Head of Region, Middle East and North Africa

Are you a high-performing humanitarian professional Head of Region 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. 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 - for more info: (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 programmes, 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 HR, Programme Coordination and Support, Finance, Logistics and PMEAL (some staff are line managed from HQ).

The overall purpose of the Head of Region position is to provide leadership in setting the strategic direction for the Danish Red Cross in the region, in partnership, business development and humanitarian diplomacy; and to manage and support Country Managers in becoming high performant managers. The Danish Red Cross is committed to strengthen and develop effective RCRC Movement and IFRC Network coordination and cooperation. The Head of Region for MENA is based in Beirut, Lebanon and refers to the Head of International Operations, based in Copenhagen.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic direction and support
• Human Resources Management
• Risk and Security oversight
• Business development
• Partnership and stakeholder engagement
• Member of the international Senior Management Team

Expected results:

• Strategic direction for Danish Red Cross in the region is relevant and provides clear guidance to the organization.
• Regional partnerships and partnerships with National Societies, Movement and non-Movement partners, donors and other key stakeholders are well managed (this includes ensuring effective RCRC Movement coordination and implementation of the IFRC way of working).
• Country Managers are highly performant delivering on their strategic results and line management responsibilities including employee satisfaction.
• New opportunities for strategic engagement and business development are identified and pursued across the region.
• Quality contribution to the shaping of the organisation’s humanitarian diplomacy efforts.
• Risks management is well-functioning and high risks are timely escalated.
• Strong contribution to Danish Red Cross’ Senior Management Team.

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 10 years relevant work experience in humanitarian organisations, particularly in fragile or protracted crisis contexts.
• Proven strategic mindset, and capacity to perform humanitarian diplomacy.
• Strong leadership in team, staff, and security management.
• Experience with business, idea, and concept development within the humanitarian sector.
• Capacity to navigate interests and build bridges between cultural and organisational understandings and perspectives.
• Experience with programme development and implementation through partner organisations.
• Working experience from MENA an advantage.
• Experience from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement an asset.

In addition:

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

Application, conditions, and further information

We look forward to receiving your application and CV no later than 17/06/2025 22:59. Application and CV in English are accepted only through our online recruitment system.

The starting date is 1 September 2025 or earliest thereafter. The duty station is Beirut, Lebanon, with considerable travel requirement. The contract will be administered in accordance with the Danish Red Cross Terms & Conditions for Delegates.

In case you would like more information on the position, please contact Danish Red Cross Regional HR Partner, Charity Dube +96176184450 chdub@rodekors.dk or Head of International Operations, Signe Yde-Andersen, +45 53611917 siyan@rodekors.dk

We look forward to hearing from you!