Country Representative (Turkiye)

Country Representative (Türkiye) Location: Ankara, Türkiye Contract: 24-month fixed term contract, renewable Salary: £ 50,726 + £1,368 monthly allowance

Status: Accompanied position

Could you establish and lead the British Red Cross (BRC) strategic goals in Türkiye, implement the BRC International Strategy 2025-2030, and build strong partnerships with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) while fostering relationships with key donors like FCDO, promoting shared leadership within the IFRC Network, and supporting TRC's long-term goals?

About the Role

The British Red Cross (BRC) Country Representative is responsible for establishing BRC's long-term strategic goals in Türkiye, guiding the direction and priorities of the MENA-Europe regional team. This role involves implementing the BRC International Strategy 2025-2030 in Türkiye, translating overarching goals into actionable plans. The Country Representative will lead a principled partnership approach in representing and engaging BRC with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) and act as BRC's lead envoy in Türkiye.

The Country Representative will be entrusted to:

• Act as a key in-country relationship holder for BRC interactions in Türkiye, developing and maintaining relationships with TRC, IFRC, partner National Societies, FCDO, the British Embassy, and other strategic external actors.

• Oversee BRC's strategic engagement with TRC, exploring areas of mutual development, thematic and geographical cooperation outside Türkiye, and Movement cooperation, in accordance with BRC's International Strategy 2025-2030 and Principled Partnership Approach.

• Drive BRC's localisation ambitions to foster locally led development and build resilience against crises by leveraging and enhancing TRC's expertise, empowerment, and capabilities.

• Foster close and positive coordination between TRC and BRC regional, technical, and advisory teams in the International Directorate.

• Determine BRC's multilateral and bilateral contributions to the IFRC Country Plan for Türkiye.

• Lead and manage the Ankara-based team, providing direction, support, and mentorship to enhance team performance and achieve organisational objectives.

• Identify and secure new funding opportunities in line with the mutually agreed BRC/TRC partnership and in close coordination with IFRC.

• Maintain accountability to donors in all BRC-supported activities within the country portfolio, ensuring resources are used effectively with maximum impact.

What we are looking for:

• You will have significant knowledge of the international humanitarian system, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, and a commitment to principled partnership approaches, localisation, and decolonisation of aid. You should understand the context, challenges, and opportunities within Türkiye.
• Strong communication and diplomacy skills are essential, along with the ability to navigate a cultural environment with influential partners. You must have experience in developing and managing budgets with high compliance standards and proven skills in programme development for traditional and institutional donors, especially FCDO.
• You should have experience in building and maintaining senior-level partnerships and relationships, with representation and negotiation experience in high-level humanitarian and international development. Experience in leading strategy development processes and managing a country office with large-scale budgets and programme portfolios is required.
• You will also need experience in leading multi-cultural teams, working with national organisations, and supporting capacity building of local partners. Experience with the FCDO and overseeing FCDO-funded work, as well as security management in complex environments, is essential.
• It would be advantageous if you have a higher-level academic qualification (degree level or equivalent work experience) within a relevant field, language skills in Turkish, and a good understanding of the basics of International Humanitarian Law and principled humanitarian action. Experience working in the RCRC Movement would be a significant advantage.