Manager of Program Development & Management Unit

We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlandse with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and money. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.

We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.

The International Assistance department has opened a temporary vacancy for a:

Manager of Program Development & Management Unit

32-40 hours p/w | The Hague | Period: 28 september 2026 – 31 december 2026

Background

For the parental leave of the unit lead we are looking for temporary replacement of this role. The Program Development & Management (PDM) unit has as goal to: mobalize funds across the disaster risk cycle (prevention, preparedness, response, recover) and ensuring successful program implementation – and be able to communicate about it.

The unit actively contributes to the NLRC International Assitance Strategy 2026-2030 in collaboration with the Partnership Unit (PU), Disaster Preperdness and Response Unit (DPRU), 510 Data and Digital unit and Water, Climate and Nature (WCN) unit under the leadership of the Director International Assistance.

What are your core tasks going to be?

The Unit Lead PDM will be responsible for the overall management of the unit and is a member of the International Assistance Management Team (IAMT).

Responsibilities

• Deliver the NLRC International Assitance Strategy 2026-2030;
• Lead and manage PDM staff and budget;
• Oversight of programmes and liaise with key institutional donors managed by PDM, including monitoring, reporting and (intermediate) evaluation;
• Efficient and effective collaboration arrangements with other units, including coherent and consistent programme implementation processes and tools, in accordance to NLRCs Standard Project Approach;
• In coordination with the Senior Resource Mobilisation Coordinator and NL MoFA Partnership Coordinator ensure frequent and coordinated dialogue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking synergy with Public Affairs;
• Representation of the unit’s programme management staff in the International Assistance Management Team (IAMT);
• When required, management of one or more programmes;
• Ensure support in programme development phase (in aspects such as planning, finance & administration, donor compliance, preparation for programme kick-off and implementation);
• Generate learning from programmes and stimulate the uptake through other units.

Specifically for this period October to December the following tasks need to be delivered:

1. Delivery, follow-up and prepare for implementation on the New MoFA Partnership 2027-2031 icw the Senior Resource Mobilisation Coordinator,
2. Finalisation of the MoFA Partnership 2022-2026 icw the Partnership Coordinator,
3. Delivery on Content Platform RED for the external visibility of the operations of the International Assistance Department of NLRC through the wider IFRC network,
4. Work with IAMT on the Objective, Goals, Strategy and Measurements (OGSM) planning for 2027.

What do you bring?

Skills and experience

• Completed university education in the area of humanitarian aid, disaster management and/or specific areas of expertise in these programmes, such as international relations, climate change, or equivalent;
• 10 years professional experience in humanitarian or international work, with multiple years field-based experience in development or humanitarian contexts;
• Experience in management of complex programmes, donor compliance and reporting to institutional donor agencies;
• Track record on securing new funding and setting up new programs and partnerships;
• +5 years of experience in managing teams and working in matrix organisational structures;
• Experience in working in multiple-stakeholder partnerships and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships;
• Experience in evaluation processes, knowledge management and learning uptake;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, to develop clear goals, and to relate with stakeholders;
• Excellent command of the Dutch and English language;
• Excellent (written & verbal) communication skills, excellent inter-personal skills.

Your talents (competencies)

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the capacity to engage in and maintain effective partnerships and professional relationships in various cultural and organisational contexts.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, capable to translate theory into practice.
• The drive to follow up on agreements in a conscientious and efficient manner, taking deadlines into account.
• Results and quality oriented.
• Capable to work independently and to set clear goals and priorities.

What we offer you

An interesting job with a unique organization. The organization has an immense international network and a significant impact in the humanitarian sector. The work you do is socially relevant and makes an impact, which sometimes means an impact on yourself. Therefore, we care about your well-being and provide tools to find a good balance. We are a flexible and people-oriented work environment with room for initiative and development.

The salary for this position falls within scale 13 as mentioned in the collective agreement, depending on experience, minimum of € 5146,26 and a maximum of € 7298,98 gross per month (on the basis of full-time employment). A fixed-term contract.

Next to your monthly salary you will have a 'personal budget’ at your disposal, of 19,2% of your monthly gross salary. You can use it to withdraw a holiday allowance, extra holidays or an end of year bonus. There are also various additional conditions such as a pension scheme, travel allowance, and good opportunities for personal development. You will also have a laptop and mobile phone at your disposal.

Our office is in the Hague, walking distance from the Laan van NOI station. Like everyone else, you work activity based, partly from home and partly from the office. We regularly meet colleagues on the work floor but also online via Teams to discuss cross functional topics and to stay connected to each other and our networks.

Join us!

Please send your resume and a letter of motivation (all in English) with reference to Recruiter Zoë Kastanja by latest 30 July through our website. For more information about the position please contact Maren Striker, Manager Program Development & Program Management at MStriker@redcross.nl.

Please note that a background check is part of the selection process, as well as interview rounds where you will meet Red Cross and consortium colleagues.

We do not accept third party mediation or acquisition for this vacancy.