The German Red Cross (GRC) is part of a worldwide community assisting victims of conflicts and disasters and people affected by social or health related crises. The Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement provides vulnerable people with assistance without discrimination and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the Movement: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

Our Mission:
We provide needs-based, flexible, innovative and sustainable support to Sister National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the wider humanitarian community. We enable early and immediate life-saving assistance and implement anticipatory action and risk-reducing activities, particularly in the face of climate change and armed conflicts and their humanitarian consequences. As a partner, facilitator and convener of cooperation, we strive to fulfil commitments to localization, community participation, protection and inclusion, gender and diversity, accountability, and learning. Through these efforts, we aim to build resilient communities and ensure effective and inclusive humanitarian responses in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Head of Office (m/f/d) Lebanon

The GRC is currently seeking an experienced Head of Office Lebanon (m/f/d) based in Beirut, Lebanon. The tasks of this position are twofold: steering the bilateral partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) and coordinating support services and GRC's regional engagement within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The GRC has been a long-standing partner to the LRC ensuring qualitative and strategic support based on LRC’s strategy and sectors. In addition, GRC maintains regional functions (programme and support services) within the Lebanon office, from which the Head of Office also acts as GRC's regional representative, supporting and engaging with Sister National Societies and the wider RCRC Movement across the Middle East and North Africa in close coordination with the GRC HQ Head of Unit for Europe and MENA.

Starting date: January 2027

Duration: 24 months (with possible extension)

Location: Beirut / Lebanon, with frequent travels in the region

Main duties & responsibilities:

Partnership and Strategy:

  • Continue the close cooperation and strategic partnership between LRC and GRC, further developing the GRC country strategy in support of LRC;
  • Represent GRC at country level and maintain close cooperation within the RC/RC Movement, the German Embassy, and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Assess and monitor the humanitarian situation and social-political developments in the country and advise GRC on humanitarian risks and trends.
  • Engage in Humanitarian Diplomacy efforts for GRC on Lebanon and facilitate strategic and humanitarian engagement in close coordination with LRC, GRC HQ and other relevant Movement component(s) / actors.
  • Reporting and monitoring of partnership and programmes, including travel to project locations (if possible).
  • Ensure consistent communication and coordination between GRC country office and GRC HQ
  • Programmatic Direction:
  • Identify donor calls and funding opportunities in line with the GRC-LRC partnership and LRC strategy.
  • Oversee and support all GRC/LRC programmes to ensure high quality and secure full compliance with donor regulations and GRC policies, in close coordination with finance and logs and project staff/delegates. This includes financial management and expenditure tracking, procurement processes, programme monitoring, narrative and financial reporting, etc
  • Office Management:
  • Responsible for the day-to-day administrative and security management of the GRC country office, including finance, HR, inventory, and fixed and financial assets, in accordance with GRC policies and procedures;
  • Responsibility for security management of GRC country office and its staff/delegates in close coordination with GRC HQ and relevant Movement component(s);
  • Contribute to a conducive and well-functioning work environment for the GRC office team in Lebanon.

Regional Representation:

  • Support in maintaining and further developing relationships with Sister National Societies in the MENA region, flag opportunities for cooperation, partnership, and joint programming beyond Lebanon to GRC HQ;
  • Enable coordination and strategic oversight of GRC's regional programme and support service functions based in the Lebanon office, ensuring these effectively serve GRC's engagement across MENA;
  • Take on regional representation tasks for the Middle East and North Africa on an as-needed basis, as agreed and coordinated with GRC HQ; this is not a standing full-time function but is activated according to regional priorities and HQ's requirements;
  • Monitor political, humanitarian, and Movement-related developments across the MENA region, advising GRC HQ on regional trends, risks, and opportunities for engagement;
  • Represent GRC in relevant regional coordination fora, Movement platforms, and donor discussions concerning MENA-wide initiatives;

Required Competencies & Skills:

Technical experience:

  • At least seven years of senior leadership experience, including management of international teams and security management experience.
  • At least seven years of experience in the field of international cooperation/humanitarian aid and a profound understanding of the humanitarian landscape, tools and topics.
  • Excellent programme coordination and project management skills, including (remote management), financial management, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and thorough understanding of donor guidelines and regulations.
  • Substantial experience in implementing donor-funded projects, experience with GFFO, BMZ, ECHO is a strong asset.
  • Technical expertise in disaster preparedness/disaster risk management, health and organisational development is an advantage.
  • Strong leadership skills, including strategic thinking, decision-making, presenting, and mediating conflict.
  • Experience working in Lebanon and/or the wider Middle East region is a strong asset, given the regional representation component of this role.

Personal skills:

  • Excellent understanding of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and full commitment to the Red Cross fundamental principles and Code of Conduct. Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement experience is an advantage.
  • Strong diplomatic skills and experience in representation, humanitarian diplomacy, and networking — particularly across multiple National Society contexts;
  • Experience in the development and implementation of policies in the fields of safety and security, PSEA, compliance and human resources development.
  • Outstanding resilience and stress management skills.
  • Proven record of capacity strengthening, team development and coaching.
  • Oral and written fluency in English, knowledge of German and/or Arabic is an advantage.
  • Readiness to travel to and work in volatile areas is essential. Experience of living and working in insecure and conflict-affected environments is an advantage.
  • Ability to complete a thorough medical screening process 'working abroad under specific climate and health conditions'.
  • Valid Driving Licence.

What we offer:

You will be part of a highly motivated professional and multicultural team. We offer you a compensation package according to the collective employment agreement of the GRC, an expatriation allowance during your mission as well as accommodation. In addition to a full insurance package GRC is covering a home flight within a 12-months period of assignment. You will benefit from a comprehensive training package and receive briefings and coaching prior as well as during and after your mission. Medical check-ups and Psychosocial Support Service are included in your assignment

Kindly apply by submitting your application by using the GRC online application system until 30.September 2026 end of the day (23:59 CET).

The GRC is committed to safeguarding and to a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH), and other types of misconduct. All staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and to protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of the people we serve and work with. Safeguarding responsibilities are integrated into all roles, and all personnel are required to adhere to our rules of conduct and safeguarding policies.

Recruitment is subject to satisfactory reference and background checks. By submitting an application, candidates acknowledge and agree to provide the requested information and to undergo the relevant checks.

Please note that due to the travel and visa regulations and the guidelines of our partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement certain vaccinations are required for this delegate position. Candidates on the short-list for this position will be asked to disclose their vaccination status.

We point out that the selection and nomination processes for this international delegate position may demand that information concerning your person be shared with involved Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners (IFRC, ICRC, National Society). This may include transmission into countries that do not apply data protection standards comparable to those of the European Union.

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz e.V. - GeneralsekretariatCarstennstr. 58
12205 Berlin

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