Africa continues to carry the largest share of humanitarian response operations globally, with ongoing and increasing challenges such as natural disasters, health emergencies, conflict, and complex crises. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (NSs) across the continent mobilize large numbers of staff and volunteers in response to these emergencies, often supported by Rapid Response (Surge) personnel from within the Movement.
Over the past five years, more than 648 Surge deployments have been made to support African NSs, with 91 of these deployments involving operational leadership positions. However, only 42 of these deployments originated from African NSs, and women accounted for a mere 10 percent of the total. Furthermore, women currently represent only 24.7 percent of the Africa Regional Rapid Response (Surge) roster, which has 877 members. This underrepresentation demonstrates a broader gender imbalance that reduces inclusivity, accountability, and the overall quality of humanitarian responses.
The gender disparity is not limited to Surge deployments alone. Women remain significantly underrepresented in governance, management, and operational leadership across African NSs. Structural and cultural barriers continue to restrict women’s visibility and growth in humanitarian leadership roles. Recognizing the urgent need to address this gap, the 10th Pan-African Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, held in September 2023, adopted the Nairobi Plan of Action, which prioritizes female leadership development at all levels.
In this context, the IFRC is seeking a consultant to design and facilitate a leadership development program that addresses these gaps. The program will provide tailored leadership training and empowerment opportunities for women across African NSs, focusing on improving representation in humanitarian leadership and Surge deployments.
Position Details
- Vacancy Number: S15290
- Title: Consultant, Women Leadership Training
- Contract Type: Consultant
- Position Type: Consultant
- Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Grade: Consultant (Not Applicable)
- Duration: 20 days
- Application Deadline: 24 August 2025
- Job Posted On: 13 August 2025
This consultancy role does not have an accompanied or duty station status, as it is limited to a short-term engagement.
Organizational Context
The consultant will work within the framework of IFRC’s Africa Regional Office strategy, focusing on promoting inclusivity, gender balance, and leadership development. This initiative builds on commitments made by African NSs to foster women’s leadership in humanitarian action, with the aim of enhancing the overall effectiveness and diversity of response operations.
The consultant will play a central role in translating these commitments into tangible capacity development and leadership outcomes for women, thereby contributing to a stronger, more equitable humanitarian workforce in Africa.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of the consultancy is to design, prepare, and facilitate a blended leadership development program that addresses two key issues:
- The gender imbalance in Surge deployments, with low female representation in operational and leadership roles.
- The underrepresentation of women in broader humanitarian leadership across governance, management, and operational levels within African NSs.
The program is expected to be a comprehensive, structured, and results-oriented initiative, aligned with the Nairobi Plan of Action and the broader goals of the IFRC.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the consultant are as outlined in the attached Terms of Reference (ToR). The consultant will be expected to:
- Develop and design a blended training program tailored to address identified gaps in female leadership.
- Prepare training materials and methodologies that are practical, interactive, and adaptable to the humanitarian context of Africa.
- Facilitate training sessions and workshops with a focus on leadership skills, confidence-building, and gender-responsive approaches to humanitarian work.
- Collaborate with IFRC, National Societies, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the training program is relevant, impactful, and sustainable.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to participants during the training, with a view to encouraging long-term leadership growth.
- Deliver a comprehensive report upon completion of the assignment, including recommendations for scaling and sustaining women’s leadership development initiatives in the humanitarian sector.
Further details regarding specific tasks and deliverables are included in the Terms of Reference document referenced in the job posting.
Education
The educational requirements for this consultancy are described in the attached Terms of Reference. The consultant is expected to demonstrate knowledge and expertise relevant to leadership training and gender equality in humanitarian contexts.
Experience
Experience requirements are set out in the attached Terms of Reference. Applicants should have demonstrable experience in designing and facilitating leadership development programs, ideally within the humanitarian or development sectors, with a focus on gender inclusion.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Knowledge and skills required for this consultancy are specified in the attached Terms of Reference. The consultant will need strong facilitation and communication skills, the ability to design and deliver effective capacity-building initiatives, and familiarity with the humanitarian context in Africa.
Language requirements are outlined in the Terms of Reference, with proficiency in English expected, and knowledge of French or Arabic considered an advantage.
Competencies, Values and Comments
The consultant will be expected to embody the values and competencies described in the attached Terms of Reference, which emphasize inclusivity, professionalism, and alignment with IFRC’s humanitarian principles.
Application Process
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting the required documents in line with the instructions provided in the original posting. The deadline for submission of applications is 24 August 2025.