Lead, IFRC representative, UAE

Vacancy No.

S18840

Category of Contract

International

Position Type

International

Application Deadline

30/10/2026

Job Posted On

16/10/2026

Duty Station

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Country

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Grade

F2

Duty Station Status

Family Duty Station

Accompanied Status

Accompanied

Duration

12 months

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

This job is positioned within the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (SPRM) department, which sits under the Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (HDD) division, led by the Under-Secretary-General for HDD.

The position reports to the Director of the department who serves as Director of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The incumbent is a senior IFRC representative in the UAE and engages across the GCC countries with particular focus on UAE, Bahrain and Oman.

Job Purpose

Under the direct guidance of the SPRM Director, the role is accountable for developing and implementing the Secretariat’s strategy to strengthen IFRC’s visibility, partnerships, and influence among governments, foundations, and private sector actors in the UAE. Similarly, the incumbent is responsible for developing partnerships in Bahrain and Oman in close collaboration with the National Societies of those countries. This role ensures strategic alignment with organizational priorities, strengthens relationships with key stakeholders, and supports the implementation of initiatives that advance humanitarian diplomacy and resource mobilization. This role works closely and in coordination with the IFRC’s Middle East and North Africa regional office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (Public and Private Sector)

• Represent IFRC in engagement with governments, public institutions, and private sector actors in the UAE, Bahrain and Oman in close cooperation with National Societies of those countries.
• Lead strategic outreach, dialogue, consultations, and high-level meetings to influence government priorities, policies, and funding allocations in support of IFRC objectives in those countries.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage strategic partnerships in UAE, Bahrain and Oman with public and private sector partners, including leveraging innovative financing mechanisms and cross-entity engagement.
• Develop and implement tailored government and partner engagement strategies in close coordination with respective National Societies, with a focus on expanding multi-year, flexible and un-earmarked funding from different partners including the governments.
• Develop compelling investment cases and partnership propositions; initiate, negotiate, and renew MOUs, multi-year grant agreements, and strategic partnership arrangements.
• Monitor and analyse funding trends and policy developments; set funding targets, forecast income, and anticipate shifts in the funding landscape to identify new partnership opportunities.

2. Network Development, Representation & High-Level Engagement

• Anchor IFRC leadership within key public and private sector influencer networks across the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
• Represent IFRC in high-level meetings, forums, and strategic platforms, in close consultation with host National Societies and relevant government counterparts.
• Build broad alliances to raise visibility and support for IFRC’s global humanitarian agenda across the region.
• Support Senior leadership engagement with key partners by preparing high-quality briefs and ensuring strategic follow up to senior leadership engagement.
• Support the Director, SPRM in building a well-coordinated team that engages in the GCC countries and helps develop and onboard new team members that will be focusing on GCC engagement.

3. Regional Coordination and National Society Engagement

• Under the guidance of SPRM Director and in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, coordinate the development and implementation of the IFRC GCC engagement strategy and regional partnership plan with specific focus on UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
• Ensure coherence and alignment of partnership and resource development activities across the assigned countries.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with National Societies in these counties to enhance cooperation, coordination, and collective impact.3

4. Strategic Alignment, Guidance and Reporting

• Provide strategic guidance to Regional Offices and technical teams on engagement with assigned partner portfolios, including support to partnership negotiations and agreement management.
• Ensure IFRC policies, procedures, guidelines, and quality standards are understood, applied, and upheld in all partnership engagements.
• Work closely with SPRM Geneva, SPRM MENA, and the Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) MENA to ensure integrated, coherent approaches across thematic and operational areas.
• Maintain coordination with relevant regional counterparts to support strategic alignment.
• Provide regular updates and analytical reporting to the Director of SPRM, including briefs on donor trends, challenges, risks, and emerging opportunities in countries.
• Work as a key member of the senior GCC team and lead on innovative approaches, knowledge sharing and development of new ideas and approaches.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff

• Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals.

• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.

• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, International Development, or other relevant fields..

Experience

Required

• Min. 10 years of professional experience in humanitarian partnerships and resource development functions for an international organisation.

• Experience in raising funds for emergencies.

• Experience in developing partnerships with private and public sector partners.

• Experience in development of Partnership and Resource Development strategies, market research and/or market analysis, benchmarking, risk assessment.

• Experience in research of partner trends, humanitarian financing data, global debates and partner positions in humanitarian aid.

• Proven track record in achieving results in increasing partner base and raising

  corporate and foundation funds.

Preferred

• Experience in Gulf countries.
• Experience in developing partnerships with private sector.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Ability to translate strategy into action.
• Results oriented and demand driven individual, strategic thinking, entrepreneurial and hands on.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive, contributing to a client-focused culture.
• Outstanding diplomatic and political acumen and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, institutional interests and sensitivities.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge with strong analytical skills.
• Sound knowledge of humanitarian financing, strategic partnerships and emerging/innovative financing approaches, including the ability to develop compelling investment propositions.
• Demonstrated track record in producing high-quality work within short deadlines and ability to make effective, timely decisions.
• Knowledge in identifying and articulating strategic issues, risks and priorities to provide sound advice to senior management.
• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work and communicate efficiently within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment, including dispersed teams
• Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication & collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety & security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants.
• Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.

Preferred

• Strong understanding of the political, economic and institutional landscape of the Gulf region, particularly the UAE, Bahrain and Oman, and its implications for partnership development.

LANGUAGES

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Good command of Arabic.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development.

Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation; Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others.

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.

The closing date and time for this vacancy are based on Geneva time. Applications must be submitted by 23:59 (11:59 PM) Geneva time on the advertised closing date.