Country Manager

Norwegian Red Cross is seeking a dynamic, motivated and highly experienced humanitarian leader for the position of Country Manager to lead our operations in Ukraine.
The role is exciting and challenging. You will represent Norwegian Red Cross in-country and manage a strong country team, while working in close partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, and donors. This is a leadership role with real scope to shape impact – ensuring our humanitarian programmes are principled, effective, and aligned with long-term strategic goals. The Country Manager is responsible for advancing the Norwegian Red Cross’ humanitarian objectives in the country through strategic partnership development, results-oriented project management, and effective risk mitigation.

Duties and responsibilities

As Country Manager, you will represent the Norwegian Red Cross in Ukraine and help advance principled humanitarian action through a trust-based partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. You will champion localization, drive effective humanitarian programmes, and contribute to strong humanitarian diplomacy and Movement coordination.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Norwegian Red Cross country office in line with strategic ambitions and priorities, aiming to develop and implement a holistic response across programmes, advocacy and policy work.
• Support and strengthen a principled, locally led partnership with URCS by fostering joint programme design, shared leadership in implementation, and ongoing strategic dialogue – in line with Norwegian Red Cross’ partnership principles and commitment to localization.
• Represent Norwegian Red Cross in-country, coordinate strategically and programmatically with RCRC Movement partners and contributes to complementary Red Cross Movement roles and responsibilities in country.
• Manage the country office in accordance with Norwegian Red Cross financial routines and established in-country security regulations.
• Ensure programme quality, timely results monitoring and reporting, and compliance with technical standards, and that activities are carried out in line with Norwegian Red Cross country/regional/global strategies, donor rules and regulations and Norwegian Red Cross/Movement policies and procedures.
• Guide operational risk management, including audits and accountability
• Engage with Movement partners and donors to secure funding for humanitarian programs
• Inspire and lead a multidisciplinary team with clarity and purpose. Continuously promote a positive and collaborative working environment characterized by high levels of trust and respect, with due consideration for staff care and well-being.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position

Qualifications

Who you are
You are a confident and strategic leader with a proven track record in managing humanitarian operations. You combine sound judgement with practical leadership, and can navigate complexity while building trust-based relationships across cultures and organizations.

We are looking for

Formal Competence:
- University Degree (preferably Health or international relations,IHL/Humanitarian Diplomacy)
- Solid professional experience in managing humanitarian programmes in complex environments

Skills and knowledge
- Successful track-record of leading multi-cultural teams and build relations with external stakeholders and partners
- Successful track record of implementing large programmes in complex humanitarian settings
- Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts. Knowledge of the context in Ukraine is an asset.
- Track-record of successful donor applications

Collaboration and Personal Qualities

Collaboration

• Forms part of the regional management team and works closely with the regional team for support and guidance and to ensure consistent accountability towards Norwegian Red Cross rules and regulations, guidelines and deadlines.
• Engage with the Technical Unit to ensure consistent accountability towards Norwegian Red Cross operational framework, its technical guidance and standards, including information and results management.
• Engage with Finance and Grants unit to ensure accountability and compliance towards Norwegian Red Cross financial rules and regulations and grant management.
• Engage with Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Unit to ensure development of compelling donor proposals and ensure quality reporting and donor accountability.
• Regular communication with colleagues at the Global Disaster Management Unit, as relevant.
• Liaises with National Office (HQ) Security advisor in accordance with rules and regulations.

Personal Qualities

• Quickly understand and analyse complex issues and problems; comes up with sound and rational judgements
• Makes an impact; convinces and persuades others; promotes plans and ideas successfully
• Communicate in a clear, precise and structured way; speaks with authority and conviction; presents effectively
• Is a self-starter, makes things happen and is result oriented
• Builds a useful network of contacts and relationships and utilize it to achieve objectives
• Provides team with a clear sense of direction, inspires and co-ordinates others and keep them focused on objectives
• Ability to establish inter-personal, trust-based relationships

Other skills:

• English work proficiency is required, regional languages an asset

The position is reporting to Regional Representative Europe, and is based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Contract length: 24 months with possible extension.

Why should you apply?

• Meaningful: You`ll be a part of the world's largest humanitarian organization, reaching the most vulnerable people in their local community.
• Impact: You will help National Societies in the region to become strong, self-sustained and accountable,local humanitarian actors.
• Career: You will be connected to an international organization with staff based all over the world
• A great place to work: You will work in a multicultural environment with hard-working, dedicated and fun colleagues with a strong culture of collaboration, continual improvement, and celebration of wins.

Norwegian Red Cross striving to build a working culture based on respect, honesty and generosity.
We do a thorough background check on relevant candidate.

How to apply

https://303030.webcruiter.no/Main/Recruit/Public/4993043297?link_source_id=0