As the German Red Cross (DRK), our mission is to be there for people and help them – solely according to their need. For more than 150 years, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has provided comprehensive assistance to people. No matter what we do or where we work, our actions are always guided by the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
At the German Red Cross (DRK) headquarters in Berlin, you will help shape the future direction of the DRK as the national Red Cross society and leading association of independent welfare organizations. Every day you will contribute to ensuring that people in Germany and worldwide receive help – solely based on their need.
Head of Department Americas (m/f/d)
We are looking for a Head of Department Americas (m/f/d) to start as soon as possible.
In the “Programs & Cooperation Sister Societies” team, you can make a crucial contribution to directly supporting and further improving our work in one of the priority regions of international cooperation.
The position is full-time. The employment offer is initially limited to 2 years.
Your tasks:
As head of this department, you and your team make a significant contribution to the humanitarian work of the German Red Cross (DRK) and its national sister organizations in the region. Your successful work provides the department with clear direction and representation, thus contributing substantially to the DRK’s positive reputation with sister organizations, donors, and other stakeholders. In close collaboration with the team leader, the focus of your work will be on strategic planning, financial and personnel management, and the overall coordination of all activities within your regional area of responsibility.
This means in detail:
- Organization and further development of collaboration with other departments within the team, professional leadership of the Country Managers of the Americas department. The focus here is on ensuring the department’s operational capability.
- Strategic planning of the German Red Cross’s engagement in its geographical area of responsibility, in accordance with the priority sectors of the German Red Cross’s international cooperation.
- Ensuring security management in the respective countries of operation in cooperation with the German Red Cross security officer.
- Planning the work of the department and ensuring the departmental organization, including the offices in the geographical area of responsibility
- Ongoing monitoring of political changes in the region, including the analysis of possible implications for the work of the German Red Cross and its sister organizations.
- Ensuring compliance with formal and substantive accountability obligations and regulatory compliance of the German Red Cross’s international cooperation (especially reporting) in cooperation with the relevant specialist teams.
- Collaboration with the press and public relations & marketing/fundraising departments, operational financial management, controlling, and human resources.
- Planning and management of the financial and human resources required for the subject area
We expect:
- Relevant university degree and professional qualification in humanitarian aid
- Experience in managing humanitarian aid projects
- Experience in professional leadership and motivation of employees (building personnel capacity, empowerment and coaching)
- In-depth knowledge of the region (politics, actors, culture, humanitarian system)
- Excellent practical knowledge of the formal and substantive requirements and priorities of German and international donors in humanitarian aid and development cooperation.
- Understanding the Red Cross/Red Aid movement and principle-based humanitarian aid
- High degree of flexibility and resilience, as well as the ability to balance interests and solve problems.
- Understanding of operational cooperation with sister companies and strengthening their capacity (localization)
- Ability to quickly grasp and analyze complex issues and solve problems, and to present and communicate them.
- Excellent written and spoken German and English skills; good Spanish skills are an advantage.
- Strong communication skills and a willingness to cooperate successfully with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders in international cooperation (especially sister companies, country teams and donors)
- Willingness to collaborate successfully with the very diverse internal and external stakeholders in international cooperation
- They are proficient in using Office 365.
- Willingness to travel on business and fitness for tropical climates (G35 standard)
We offer:
- A responsible and diverse role dedicated to humanity
- Space for your professional and personal development in an experienced and dedicated team
- Fair working conditions in accordance with the German Red Cross (DRK) reform collective agreement
- Remuneration according to pay group 12
- 30 vacation days per year and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off work
- An attractive company pension scheme (VBL)
- Flexible working time models to ensure a better work-life balance.
- Mobile working (up to ten working days per month for full-time employees) with on-site presence in Berlin depending on work requirements.
- Urban Sports Club, Headspace, Babbel and other individual offers for health promotion and personal development
How to apply
As an employer, we are particularly committed to the principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. We welcome applications from people regardless of ethnic, social, or national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
We look forward to receiving your application by May 12, 2026!
Head of Department Americas (m/f/d)