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 and facilitator 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.

Regional Advisor Africa Anticipatory Action and Conflict Preparedness (m/f/d), Kenya

Together with the ICRC, the GRC is recruiting for a Regional Advisor (m/f/d) Africa Anticipatory Action and Conflict Preparedness, based in Kenya.

The ICRC’s mandate and exclusive humanitarian mission is grounded in international humanitarian law, in its Statutes, the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and resolutions of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Climate risks matter to the ICRC because they severely exacerbate the needs and vulnerability of the communities we work with. The ICRC has committed to supporting National Society partners in conflict situations to strengthen their capacity to design and implement climate-sensitive programs.

Anticipatory action approaches seek to reduce human suffering, losses and damage by enabling relevant actors, especially affected communities, to act ahead of a potentially harmful event.

In 2025, the German Red Cross (GRC) and ICRC have signed a Joint Partnership Statement and roadmap for enhancing its cooperation in Africa.

The GRC supports National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in implementing anticipatory action programs.

The Regional Advisor is contracted by the German Red Cross (GRC), seconded to the ICRC, and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duration: 12 Months, starting preferably July 2025, with possible extension

Location: Nairobi, Kenya with regular regional travels

Job purpose

This position aims to improve crisis preparedness and contingency planning in places affected by armed conflict and violence by bringing the methodology and approaches of anticipatory action into ICRC practice, as well as to support National Societies in adapting their plans for such contexts. It stems from the joint commitment on the part of the ICRC and the GRC to find solutions for anticipatory action to address compound risks in the Africa region.

This should be achieved through the provision of technical support to ICRC delegations and National Societies, provision and development of resources and tools, and serving as a focal point for best practices and expertise on anticipatory action, crisis/conflict preparedness, and contingency planning.

This position is contracted by the GRC, seconded to the ICRC, and will support the work of the two organizations as well as the Anticipation Hub. The post-holder will work in support of better Movement-wide complementarity in understanding and implementing anticipatory action.

Main duties & responsibilities:

Technical Support

• Support ICRC delegations in their crisis preparedness and contingency planning, and situating anticipatory action within their own activities. Liaise with relevant departments and delegations across the ICRC to ensure coherent and relevant approaches to crisis preparedness and anticipatory action;
• Review or propose climate risk assessments and help develop plans of action with a focus on anticipatory action where relevant;
• Promote increased understanding of anticipatory action, relevant terminologies, tools, and approaches, building on context-specific progress in the implementation of resilience-building and crisis preparedness work among ICRC delegations in Africa;
• Jointly with ICRC delegations (and other relevant ICRC departments if necessary), GRC delegations and in coordination with IFRC , work with National Societies that are ready to (further) engage in situations where extreme weather is forecast to hit areas affected by violence and conflict. Provide technical support for adapting such plans accordingly, e.g. in ensuring they account for the specific vulnerabilities linked to conflict and situations of violence. Special focus will be given to countries that both GRC and ICRC work in, e.g. Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Mozambique
• Coordinate, lead and support joint initiatives, such as feasibility studies, capacity assessments and strengthening, and stakeholder mappings that help situate anticipatory action within crisis preparedness and contingency planning efforts.

Strategies, Partnerships and Planning

• Promote an improved understanding of anticipatory action and its relevance to crisis preparedness and contingency planning among Movement and other relevant partners;
• Ensure and facilitate a continuous and close coordination between ICRC and GRC on anticipatory action in the Africa region, especially in those countries where GRC is implementing programs with National Society partners, and contribute to the successful implementation of GRC programming in the areas of Anticipatory Action and Contingency Planning an Preparedness where applicable; Liaise with Movement and interagency partners, private sector and other relevant stakeholders.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Coordinate and support ICRC participation and/or represent at relevant platforms on Anticipatory Action and EWEA in the region;
• Contribute to the collection of best practices and case studies in order to assess and improve the effectiveness of anticipatory action as part of crisis preparedness and contingency planning in conflict and situations of violence; facilitate exchange between GRC and ICRC and between country delegations
• Contribute to the work of the Anticipation Hub on anticipatory action and conflict through the facilitation of respective working groups or events.

Required Competencies & Skills:

Education

• Relevant post-graduate university degree
• Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent RCRC movement knowledge
• Technical training in DRR/DRM, including EWEA systems and disaster preparedness for response.

Experience

• 5 years’ experience in humanitarian sector technical level related to one of the following areas: Disaster Management or DRR programming, institutional preparedness capacity strengthening initiatives, emergency response operations or EWEA systems
• Experience in working with anticipatory action or Forecast-based Financing is a strong asset
• Good understanding of the ICRC, its mandate and work in conflict and situations of violence.
• 5 years experience of working in contexts of conflict and violence, ideally in contexts where the double vulnerability of conflict and climate change is a major issue.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication, organization and facilitation skills
• Language skills: Fluently spoken and written English; Good command of French
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in multi-cultural environments and teams
• Ability and agreement to adhere to the Red Cross Red Crescent fundamental principles
• Ability to complete a thorough medical screening process 'working abroad under specific climate and health conditions'
• Valid Driving Licence

What we offer you:

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 a personal allowance to cover your 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 May 31st, 2026 end of the day (23:59 CET).

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.

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