Institutional Partnership Advisor EU

The position supports the Red Cross EU office’s Disaster Management and Development Unit, which monitors EU policies and engages with international cooperation actors to advocate for vulnerable populations while upholding Fundamental Principles. The team coordinates Red Cross positions on EU consultations, policy debates, and operational matters, and plays a key role in helping EU National Societies and the IFRC access EU funding.

This role will focus on enhancing Red Cross influence on EU humanitarian aid and health policies, particularly in Africa, while increasing EU resources for international Red Cross initiatives. Additionally, it supports the Norwegian Red Cross Partnership and Resource Mobilization team. The advisor will foster collaboration with the Norwegian representation in Brussels to benefit both the Red Cross EU office and the Norwegian Red Cross.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic responsibilities

• Strengthen the Norwegian Red Cross and RCRC partnership with EU institutions, including the Norwegian Mission to the EU and EEA stakeholders
• Position the Norwegian Red Cross as a key humanitarian and development actor within the EU and the broader RCRC movement.
• Build networks between the Norwegian Red Cross and relevant Brussels-based stakeholders.
• Support the Norwegian Red Cross’s thematic positioning in collaboration with technical units, focusing on Health and Africa.
• Diversify, increase, and manage funding sources for the Norwegian Red Cross.

Some operational responsibilities

• Actively engage in health policy development with EU and Brussels stakeholders, including ICRC and other partners.
• Prepare documents, briefings, newsletters, and policy papers reflecting the Norwegian Red Cross or RCEU positions on key health issues.
• Support monitoring of EU relations with Africa and engage when opportunities arise.
• Enhance engagement and funding from DG ECHO, DG INTPA, DG NEAR, and other relevant sources, while extracting insights for resource diversification.
• Lead initiatives on health and Africa, collaborating with the Red Cross CEU office, ICRC, and other partners.
• Increase the visibility of the Norwegian Red Cross within the EU.
• Provide general support, particularly in coordination and knowledge development.

Qualifications

Formal competence

• University Degree in relevant technical discipline

Skills and knowledge

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, focusing on project cycle management and related budget management is required.
• Proven experience in acquiring and managing EU funding
• Experience in humanitarian financing (e.g., grant management, fundraising, and donor relations for humanitarian programs) is required.
• Experience with design and coordinate winning bids and consortium partnerships.
• High caliber of networking, external representation, and negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English with ability to analyze and synthesize complex issues.

Collaboration

• Strongly contribute to the Red Cross EU Disaster Management and Development Unit and Red Cross EU departments as relevant.
• Engage with Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Unit at HQ to strengthen Norwegian Red Cross strategic partnerships
• Collaboration with several other units at HQ as relevant – both international and national.

Personal qualifications

• Ability to work towards achieving objectives and results.
• Ability to convince and gain acceptance.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to take initiative and make things happen
• Ability to be solution oriented.
• Collaborates well with others and supports others in the pursuit of team goals.

Reporting to:

Head of Partnership and Resource Mobilization Unit

Position is based in:

Brussels, Belgum

Contract length:
12 months’ contract with possible extension

Why should you apply?

• Meaningful: You`ll be a part of the world’s largest humanitarian organization, reaching the most vulnerable people in their local community.
• Impact: You will help National Societies in the region to become strong, self-sustained and accountable humanitarian actors.
• Career: You will be connected to an international organization with staff based all over the world
• A great place to work: You will work in a multicultural environment with hard-working, dedicated and fun colleagues with a strong culture of collaboration, continual improvement, and celebration of wins.

Norwegian Red Cross striving to build a working culture based on respect, honesty and generosity.
We do a thorough background check on relevant candidate.