Ethiopia HINGO Group Director

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified HINGO Group Director in Ethiopia. Position is contingent upon funding.
Overall purpose of the role
Since 2019, the Ethiopia Humanitarian International NGO (HINGO) Group supports humanitarian INGOs working in the country. It aims to provide an inclusive and consistent/systematic space within which INGOs involved in humanitarian work in Ethiopia can develop and take forward collective strategies and approaches to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the humanitarian endeavors in Ethiopia. Since inception, the Ethiopia HINGO Group has become a critical platform for ensuring effective information sharing and analysis; leadership on advocacy and policy engagement; and liaison with government/donor/UN; and engagement ensuring the perspectives of INGOs and affected populations are ultimately included in decision-making processes. The Ethiopia HINGO Group represents 85 members with new member applications pending approval on a regular basis. It is governed by an elected Steering Committee of 9 Country Directors that works alongside a dedicated Secretariat. The Ethiopia HINGO Group is administratively hosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

The Ethiopia HINGO Group Director is overall responsible for facilitating, leading and quality managing the work of the Ethiopia HINGO Group ensuring it remains relevant to the needs of its members and is appropriate to the context. The Director leads the HINGO Secretariat and is the first point of contact for HINGO members and external stakeholders. The position holder will provide support to the member organizations supporting humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia through high-quality information exchange, coordination, multi-stakeholder engagement, facilitating effective INGO representation in decision-making mechanisms, and advocacy efforts.

The HINGO Group Director is expected to be a committed humanitarian leader with solid NGO coordination and management experience with the diplomatic skills to manage this key INGO platform in Ethiopia. The below responsibilities are not exhaustive; other tasks may be required according to changing operational and contextual needs.

Key Responsibilities:
Overall HINGO Secretariat Management:

• Lead and manage Ethiopia HINGO Group Secretariat staff, office, and budget in coordination with the HINGO Steering Committee and Host.
• Supervise financial control of the HINGO Group‘s grants; ensure timely and quality narrative and financial reporting.
• Represent the HINGO Group to donors; identify and develop donor resources that support the HINGO Group’s mandate. Lead the development of funding proposals and reports.
• Ensure the proper functioning of the HINGO Group’s support systems (e.g., human resources, administration/logistics, finance); ensure compliance with and adherence to DRC policies, guidance and procedures.
• Ensure smooth running of the governance model of the HINGO Group and where required make recommendations for changes.

Strategy, Policy, and Engagement:

• Lead on implementation of the HINGO Group’s annual Action Plan and development of new strategies. Provide leadership for joint advocacy initiatives on behalf of HINGO members.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of new and ongoing events taking place in Ethiopia that are relevant to HINGO members. Develop positions on key issues affecting HINGOs in Ethiopia through continuous dialogue with HINGO members and key stakeholders (e.g., authorities, UN, donors, civil society networks). Take the lead in negotiations with key stakeholders.
• Collect, analyse and share information relevant to members and external stakeholders, with the goal of improving access and operational or protection space.
• Increase and enhance INGO engagement with national NGOs and CSOs, in particular through engagement with the Ethiopia CSO Council (ECSOC).
• Identify opportunities and strategies for coordination with development and peacebuilding actors and humanitarians in Ethiopia.

Leadership, Representation, and Coordination:

• Maintain constructive working relationships with, and represent HINGO members at key fora / external meetings with UN, donors, authorities, and external actors.
• Ensure the HINGO Group’s external communications and engagement efforts are in line with its objectives, principles, and mandate. Provide leadership for joint engagement initiatives on behalf of HINGO members.
• Acting as focal point for information/experience sharing with and among NGOs on relevant issues including managing HINGO Group and Steering Committee membership, contact lists, instant messaging groups and mailing lists.
• In collaboration with HINGO Secretariat staff, ensure the coordination and facilitation of training and capacity-building programs that support HINGO members and wider civil society.
• Lead, facilitate, or enable the HINGO Group’s regular coordination meetings, including monthly Country Directors’ meetings, annual General Assembly meeting, and thematic working groups.
• Represent HINGO members in various humanitarian coordination bodies, such as the Humanitarian Country Team, Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund Advisory Board and various advisory boards and steering committees. Represent members with external coordination, including ICVA and InterAction. Keep members updated on issues of key relevance.
• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders. Ensure that relevant information is accessible to the membership.
• Provide an accessible point of contact for general inquiries regarding the work of HINGOs in Ethiopia and orientation to incoming Country Directors.

Human Resources Management:

• Oversee recruitment, provide supervision, leadership and direction in the management of the HINGO Group’s secretariat.
• Conduct regular performance appraisals identifying capacity building needs and further career objectives; follow-up, and maintain updated job descriptions.
• Lead regular internal coordination meetings and ensure staff support as required.

About you

• To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 8 years' relevant work experience in emergency contexts for a humanitarian agency or similar. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required:

• Master's degree in political science, international development, economics, public administration, social sciences, law or other relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years working in senior management within an NGO (i.e. Country Director or similar levels).
• Prior experience in managing INGO Consortia/fora or in administration and coordination of coalition or secretariat functions is desirable.
• Documented experience in effective coordination and leadership, particularly in complex and fragile environments. Strong networking, representation, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian policies, principles and coordination structures.
• Work-related experience from the region/country.
• Proven analytical skills and ability to work with others to develop strategy into action. Ability to communicate relevant professional issues logically and clearly.
• Ability to influence and effectively liaise with governments, UN agencies, and representation in high-profile environments. Demonstrable experience and success in engaging with bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Experience of working with large/complex donors and managing multiple donor grants/contracts, particularly with ECHO, BHA and SIDA. Demonstrated ability to devise and implement resource mobilization strategies.

Desired:

• Be culturally sensitive and show excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer/work processing and standard office software skills.
• Full professional proficiency in English.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer:
Contract length: 2 years

Band: E Management

Designation of Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Status: Non-Accompanied

Start date: July 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Department:

Location: Addis Ababa