Regional Human Resources Manager (Africa)

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the largest humanitarian network in the world, bringing together 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Guided by the Triple R approach — response, resilience, and respect — the organization delivers against Strategy 2030 through rapid, coordinated, and locally led action in emergencies and crises. IFRC also helps National Societies strengthen community resilience in areas such as climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement, while upholding the Movement’s core principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. Its work is grounded in strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

Headquartered in Geneva, IFRC operates through five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi), the Americas (Panama), Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur), Europe (Budapest), and MENA (Beirut), alongside representation offices, service centres, and delegations across the world.

IFRC maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance toward conduct that conflicts with the objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, other harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and any lack of integrity, including financial misconduct. The organization also follows rigorous child safeguarding standards.

The Regional Human Resources Manager operates under a dual reporting structure: functionally to the Director, Human Resources Management Department (HRMD) in Geneva, and administratively to the Regional Director. The role sits within the HRMD Global Team and ensures that global HR policies, standards, and priorities are applied consistently across the region.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Director of HRMD and, administratively, to the Regional Director, this position provides strategic and operational HR leadership for the region in line with IFRC global HR policies, practices, and the IFRC Renewal agenda.

The role is responsible for ensuring that HR regulations, standards, policies, and processes are applied consistently across the region, strengthening compliance and safeguarding, contributing to global workforce planning and recruitment prioritization, and supporting the development and rollout of global HR policies and practices as part of the Global HR Management Team.

Education

Required qualifications include an advanced degree, such as a Master’s or equivalent, in Human Resources Management or a related discipline. A university degree combined with substantial relevant experience may be accepted instead of an advanced degree. A professional HR qualification is also required.

A certification or other qualification in Project Management is preferred.

Experience

The ideal candidate should bring at least 8 years of HR management experience in multicultural settings. In addition, at least 5 years of experience in Organizational Development and/or change management is required, along with at least 5 years in recruitment and selection, talent management, or business partnering.

Applicants should have proven HR experience in an international organization, NGO, or another international and cross-cultural environment. Experience in developing and supporting good practice related to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment is required, as is experience leading and supporting diverse, multicultural teams. Field experience is also required.

Preferred experience includes strong familiarity with labour laws and regulatory frameworks across multiple countries in the region, prior Red Cross/Red Crescent experience, and work experience across different regions.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

This role calls for strong leadership and people management ability, including coaching, influencing, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate should be capable of mentoring and coaching others, resolving conflict through negotiation, and reaching practical, solution-focused outcomes.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are essential, as are cultural sensitivity, strong planning and organizational abilities, and the ability to lead with integrity while encouraging high performance and collaboration across remote and diverse teams.

The position also requires sound judgment, discretion in handling sensitive HR matters, strong cross-functional networking capability, excellent customer-service orientation, and advanced use of computerized tools and HR systems. Candidates should demonstrate solid digital competency across communication and collaboration, basic digital content creation, digital safety and security, data literacy, and problem solving with technology, including responsible use of AI assistants. A strong understanding of IFRC’s mission and values is also expected.

Language requirements include clear and concise spoken and written English. Knowledge of another IFRC official language — French, Spanish, or Arabic — is preferred, and additional language skills are an advantage.

Competencies and Values

Expected values include respect for diversity, integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Core competencies cover communication, collaboration and teamwork, judgement and decision making, National Society and customer relations, creativity and innovation, and building trust.

Functional competencies include strategic orientation, building alliances, leadership, and empowering others. Managerial competencies include managing staff performance and managing staff development.

Application Instruction

Applications must be submitted in English only.