Country Representative

Country Representative Ethiopia

We are looking for an experienced country representative who is keen on a role where the main focus is partnership/relationship, HR, Security and portfolio development. There is a complex movement set-up in Ethiopia with a shared ambition of exploring new partnership modalities. The Country Representative maintains and develops the relationship with the Ethiopia Red Cross Society (ERCS) and manages on behalf of NLRC the coordination with other stakeholders in Ethiopia, both within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and beyond. Besides, the Country Representative is overall responsible for the NLRC delegation in Ethiopia, including security, financial and HR management of a team of 2-4 international staff and 3-4 national staff.

Position title: Country Representative Ethiopia

Duty station: Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

Time period: 1 year, with a possibility to extend

Starting Date: a.s.a.p.

Status: Family Posting

Position in the organization

In this position you report to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (desk manager) based in The Hague. The international staff in the delegation report directly to the Country Representative The national staff in the delegation report directly to the Ethiopia Red Cross Society, with a second reporting line to the Country Representative.

Background

In Ethiopia, the NLRC is engaged in a long term partnership with ERCS. National Society Development (NSD), with a focus on financial sustainability, is a central element in this cooperation as well as support in service delivery through support to emergency operations and longer term resilience projects in the areas of Emergency Response, Disaster Preparedness for Response, Disaster risk reduction, Nature Based solutions, Water Management and WASH.

Together with the NLRC delegation team and the Ethiopia desk and advisory units at the headquarter, the Country Representative facilitates both the strategic development of the partnership and support to project implementation. In close co-creation with the ERCS and other movement partners, the Country Representative leads the development of the strategic direction of the partnership. The strategic objectives have been defined in the partnership agreement, which will be renewed in December 2024. The partnership agreement guides the NLRC portfolio development in Ethiopia, and includes milestones regarding the setup of the partnership

Summary statement and responsibilities

Partnership and coordination

• Manage the NLRC-ERCS partnership on behalf of NLRC.
• Develop the annual Country Operational Plans, and monitor its implementation throughout the year.
• Manage the NSD/FS file through extensive dialogue on NSD support and play a key role supporting the ERCS NSD plan through value addition and linking NLRC expertise with the key priorities of ERCS.
• Support ERCS in the development and/or consolidation of their respective national strategies and one-movement plan and support RCRC Movement coordination in country.
• Engage and actively participate in relevant networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums or any other event related to the activities implemented in Ethiopia.
• Proactively engage in implementing and developing the strategic partnership between NLRC and British Red Cross in Ethiopia
• Proactively seek for new operational / technical partnerships with other (Red Cross Movement) partners in order to increase efficiency and impact of interventions

HR

• Responsible for the recruitment, line-management and appraisal of international staff based in the NLRC Ethiopia delegation;
• Responsible for the development, implementation and adherence to security policies within the delegation of both delegation staff and NLRC visitors.
• Be responsible for the security management of staff, operations, assets and direct country-specific response to security threats and incidents, up to and including management of evacuation, in cooperation with the movement partners.
• Coordinate the collaboration with ICRC in line with the signed security agreement.

Finance and Reporting

• Oversee management of in-country project budgets
• Ensure administrative procedures in the delegation are in compliance with NLRC and ERCS financial procedures
• Responsible for the direct management of the office budget.
• Ensure adequate information flow regarding ongoing operations for both NLRC management and external communication.
• Oversee that quality narrative and financial reports are submitted timely, meeting NLRC and donor requirements.

Planning and Resource mobilization

• Responsible for the development of the strategic direction of the portfolio development in Ethiopia, in close coordination with ERCS and NLRC HQ and field team.
• Develop and implement resource mobilization strategy for Ethiopia with support from NLRC HQ and field.
• Identification of funding possibilities aligned with the country strategy.
• Actively represent the NLRC towards (decentralized) donors, such as the EU and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ECHO, etc.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Master degree in Social Science, International Development, Business Management or other relevant field
• At least 8-10 years’ experience in the development and/or humanitarian field, preferably in similar positions
• At least 5 years’ experience in a management role
• Demonstrated ability for high level representation
• Experience in the area of capacity building and development of non-governmental organizations, preferably of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Work experience in a management role in another context/country than the country of your domicile is a must
• Experience in program management , including program identification, formulation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, preferably within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
• Working experience in the region is preferred, as knowledge on the political, economic and socio-cultural climate of Ethiopia.
• Able to adhere to policy and procedures of the NLRC whilst effectively managing programs and people
• Demonstrated experience in security management
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Excellent narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing skills.
• Practical knowledge of computer Skills (Microsoft Office, Winpaccs, Document Management programs).

Key competencies

• Able to make sound judgements and decisions
• Good social/diplomatic skills and culturally sensitive, flexible and creative
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent strategic leadership and management
• Able to work independently, as well in a team
• Strong interpersonal skills

We offer

• A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension.
• A flexible and human centered working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
• Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.

Join us!

• Please send your resume and letter of motivation in English with reference to Shelly Jonker latest on 22 August 2025 through the apply button on this page
• For further information regarding the position please, contact Dorinde van Eck, Portfolio Officer at NLRC via email at dvaneck@redcross.nl
• Please note that this is an International mobile staff position. This means that you will need to be eligible to be dispatched to Ethiopia.

Skills Required:

• Political / Science / Ir
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development