We are looking for an experienced country representative who is keen on a role where the main focus is partnership/relationship and portfolio development. There is a complex movement set-up and Ethiopia is a pilot country for new partnership development modalities. You maintain and develop the relationship with the Ethiopia Red Cross Society and you manage 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 national staff.

Summary

In Ethiopia, the NLRC is engaged in a long term partnership with its sister society, ERCS. National Society Development (NSD), through a specific financial sustainability lens, 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 thematic areas of 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 CR 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 CR leads the development of the strategic direction of the partnership. The strategic objectives defined in the partnership agreement support the strategic plan of the ERCS and align with the NLRC strategic plan. The partnership agreement guides the support of the project portfolio and the further development of the national society focused on its own (financial) sustainability. The existing partnership agreement ends in January 2024, a revision process of the agreement will be a priority throughout 2023.

Main Responsibilities

Partnership and coordination

• Coordinate the partnership process and ensure annual Country Plans are in place, as well as the long term Partnership Agreement.
• Strengthen the strategic partnership through extensive dialogue on NSD support with ERCS and play a key role in designing and operationalizing the Financial Sustainability trajectory;
• 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 RC
• Proactively seeks for new operational / technical partnerships with other Red Cross Movement partners in order to increase efficiency and impact of interventions
• Contributes to the RC Movement coordination mechanisms and provides high quality inputs to the coordination

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 and ensure security briefings are provided to incoming visitors and/or new staff.
• 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.

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
• 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.