Country Representative

British Red Cross; Remote; GBP 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned humanitarian organization is seeking a Country Representative to lead strategic initiatives in Bangladesh and Myanmar. This pivotal role focuses on developing partnerships, implementing programs, and managing operations effectively. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in international humanitarian work, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record in building coalitions. The position includes a three-year renewable contract with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Accommodation while on deployment

Comprehensive insurance

Generous leave entitlement

Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop funding proposals for major donors.
• Strong understanding of the international humanitarian system.
• Expertise in budget development and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of BRC’s country strategy in Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee disaster preparedness and response support.

Skills

Strategic analysis

Leadership

Financial management

Report writing

Partnership building

Education

Higher-level academic qualification

Job description

Country Representative (Bangladesh & Myanmar)

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contract: 3-year fixed term contract, renewable
Salary: £50,726 + £1,617 monthly allowance
Status: Accompanied position

Could you lead strategic humanitarian partnerships, strengthen local capacity, and drive innovative programmes that make a real difference for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar?

About the Role

The Country Representative leads the delivery of the British Red Cross strategy in Bangladesh and Myanmar, ensuring effective partnerships with National Societies, IFRC, and ICRC. They drive programme implementation in priority areas such as migration, climate resilience, livelihoods, and community engagement. The role focuses on strengthening National Society capacity, promoting innovative ways of working within the Movement, and aligning with external stakeholders to address large-scale humanitarian needs. They oversee office operations in Bangladesh, including HR, finance, security, and compliance. The post holder fosters collaboration across the Asia region to share learning and maintain consistency in approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of BRC’s country strategy and programme outcomes in Bangladesh and Myanmar, aligned with BRC’s international priorities.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with National Societies, IFRC, ICRC, and other stakeholders to strengthen capacity and deliver humanitarian impact.
• Represent BRC externally with donors, government agencies, and inter-agency coordination platforms to promote collaboration and influence humanitarian approaches.
• Oversee disaster preparedness and response support, ensuring effective contingency planning and capacity building for National Societies.
• Ensure sound programme and financial management, including monitoring, evaluation, and accountability to donors and beneficiaries.
• Manage country operations in Bangladesh, covering HR, finance, security and compliance, and oversee deployments and visits to both countries.
• Champion locally led approaches and innovative ways of working within the Movement to promote efficiency, scale and good donorship.
• Provide leadership and line management to the country team, fostering performance, learning and staff development.
• Promote and ensure safe, inclusive environments, monitor safeguarding risk management, and guide safeguarding integration across all operations and partnerships.

What we are looking for

You will bring extensive experience and expertise to this pivotal role. We are looking for someone with proven ability to develop funding proposals for major donors such as FCDO, EU, Trusts and Foundations, combined with a strong understanding of the international humanitarian system. You should demonstrate strategic analysis, planning and delivery capability, alongside knowledge of vulnerability issues, humanitarian trends and approaches to protection, inclusion and gender mainstreaming. Excellent report writing skills and programme cycle management knowledge are essential, as is expertise in budget development and financial management to high standards of accountability.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing international programmes and offices, with strong leadership, influencing and change management capabilities. You will have at least ten years’ experience in the humanitarian or international development sector, including overseas assignments, and a proven ability to build partnerships and lead coalitions in complex, developing economy contexts. Experience in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and emergency response programming is critical, as is substantive experience managing relationships with major institutional donors.

It would be advantageous if you have a higher-level academic qualification (degree level or equivalent work experience) and experience developing accountability mechanisms that ensure participation of programme participants. Skills in mentoring, coaching and leading multi-cultural teams, including working as part of a geographically dispersed team, will be highly valued. Knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, security awareness and management, additional language skills and expertise in managing resources and complex financial systems would further strengthen your application.

***Please see Role Profile for more information***

Closing date for applications is 23:59 (UK time), Sunday 11th January 2026.

Should you have any questions on this role please email [e-mail] quoting the job title.

Benefits

• Accommodation while on deployment
• Subsistence allowances while overseas
• Travel to and from the country of posting, plus long service flights
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, personal effects and life insurance
• Pre and post assignment medicals and access to excellent health and wellbeing benefits
• Access to a pension, which you can join at any time during your contract
• Generous leave entitlement (36 days incl. public holidays)

Legal & EEO Statement

The British Red Cross also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme for roles within the International Directorate. In line with the scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

As part of its recruitment and selection process the British Red Cross undertakes DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checking of all individuals who regularly work with or have access to children and vulnerable adults.

If driving is an essential requirement of the role, appropriate driver checks will be completed in line with current policy.

The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).

We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place, and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.