Director, Branch operation and Localization Department

Internal /External Vacancy Announcement

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) wants to recruit employees in the following vacant position the details of which are mentioned below.

About the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides services to communities affected by natural and manmade disasters through the provision of emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water and sanitation, and other humanitarian services. ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. Currently the ERCS has a structure consisting of 15 Regional Offices, Zonal Branches and District/Woreda Branches, Woreda Red Cross Committee and Kebele Red Cross committees.

ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs relating to food security, climate change adaptation, livelihood diversification, and institutional capacity building interventions, with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. ERCS works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), partnering National Societies, members, volunteers and the communities we serve.

Details of the vacant position

Job Title: Director, Branch operation and Localization Department

• Work Unit: Branch Affairs and Localization
• Reports to: DSG for Branch Affairs and Localization
• Terms of employment: Permanent after probation period
• Salary: as per the organization salary scale

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the DSG for Branch Affairs and Localization, the Director of Branch Operations and Localization serves as the organization’s technical lead and high-level specialist in National Society Development (NSD). The Director is responsible for conducting comprehensive branch capacity assessments, designing and implementing strategies to strengthen branch governance, leadership, and operational capabilities, and ensuring alignment with ERCS’s NSD framework and localization agenda. The role involves monitoring branch performance, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and leading the formulation and execution of sustainable branch development strategies. As the principal technical authority in NSD, the Director is also responsible for designing policies, developing systems, and leading all capacity-building initiatives that enhance branch functionality, governance, and service delivery. This includes integrating governance strengthening, resource mobilization, and organizational development into branch operations to ensure branches meet National Society minimum standards and are fully equipped to serve their communities effectively. The position plays a pivotal role in advancing ERCS’s vision of a strong, resilient, and locally empowered National Society that is nationally coordinated and globally recognized.

III. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization’s technical lead in National Society Development (NSD), ensuring that all branch development initiatives contribute to the long-term realization of ERCS’s vision of a strong, resilient, and locally empowered National Society.
• Conduct comprehensive branch capacity assessments and develop strategies to strengthen governance, leadership, operational efficiency, and service delivery.
• Monitor branch performance, facilitate the sharing of best practices, and lead the development and implementation of sustainable branch development strategies.
• Provide targeted technical support to strengthen the capacity of both branches and the National Society, integrating governance improvement, resource mobilization, and capacity-building into branch operations.
• Support branches in developing local capacity for effective humanitarian service delivery, including leadership, governance, and operational skills.
• Providing technical support to strengthen the branches with localization interventions, certain to having proper instruction for implementation of different schemes leverage to the localization agendas.
• Collaborate with NHQ work units and external partners to mobilize resources, including securing funding from Partner National Societies (PNS) and local partners.
• Act as a liaison between National Headquarters and branches, ensuring effective two-way communication, feedback integration, and mutual understanding.
• Ensure branches are prepared to respond to local emergencies and disasters promptly, effectively, and in alignment with ERCS emergency response frameworks.
• Assist in developing and enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for branch activities, NSD implementation, and emergency response operations.
• Promote branch sustainability through local resource mobilization, innovative service models, and strategic partnerships.
• Contribute to the development of regional strategic plans, ensuring integration of governance, branch affairs, and NSD components in alignment with national objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with local governments, community leaders, and partner organizations to ensure branch activities meet community needs while advocating for branch interests at national and regional forums.
• Identify branch capacity-building needs and design training programs for staff and volunteers that address governance, leadership, technical skills, and humanitarian principles.
• Implement Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems to track the progress, effectiveness, and impact of NSD initiatives and branch operations.
• Analyze data and feedback from assessments and evaluations, preparing regular reports on branch activities, program outcomes, resource utilization, and operational challenges.
• Ensure all branches comply with ERCS policies, procedures, NSD minimum standards, and ethical principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
• Lead or support fundraising efforts for branches, mobilizing financial and material resources from donors, sponsors, and the community.
• Champion the integration of NSD and localization principles into all branch operations to ensure branches are at the center of ERCS’s humanitarian action and growth.
• Perform additional duties as requested by the DSG for Branch Affairs and Localization.

Job Specification:

• Second/first degree in Management, International Development, Public Administration, Regional and Local development, Development studies, Business Administration, Leadership, Organizational development, Political Science and International relation,
• 10/12 years’ relevant work experience of which 5/7 years in a managerial position(s)