Mette Steen George
Copenhagen
Summary
Strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in humanitarian operations, migration, and displacement, now focused on advancing climate resilience and regenerative systems.
I have led complex emergency and development programs across the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, establishing country operations and driving locally led, rights-based responses in fragile and climate-affected contexts. My leadership has consistently centered on building strategic partnerships, enabling inter-agency coordination, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to deliver sustainable impact. With a strong academic foundation in International Development, Forced Migration and Protection, I bring a systems-thinking approach to the intersection of climate change, human mobility, and community resilience.
In combination with a planned return to the Caribbean with my family (Barbados), I am looking to shift sector in to an area where I can contribute the regions climate-positive initiatives that integrate environmental regeneration, social equity, and innovative business development.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Cooperation Advisor - Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
Danish Red Cross
04.2024 - Current
- Strategic Advisor driving localisation and partnership innovation with a strong focus on systems transformation and sustainable impact including organizational transformation of business and operating models.
- Led cross-organisational coordination to enhance locally led humanitarian action, aligning with global frameworks and operational modalities.
- Developed strategic guidance and learning tools to strengthen partnerships and risk management across diverse geographies.
- Represented Danish Red Cross in global fora focused on cooperation, systems change, and operational innovation.
- 14 years
Stand By Roster - Emergency Response Unit
01.2011 - Current
- Stand by roster/Emergency Response Units member primarily on base camp and for secondarily on relief (between 2016 and 2022 membership was paused due to holding management positions where it was not possible to be deployed). From 2022 part of a group of 4 developing team leader for multi sector assessment under the IFRCs emergency deployments for rapid assessments (two year training programme).
- Multiple functions
- 14 years
Global Coordinator - Migration (Staff on Loan to IFRC Geneva Migration & Displacement Unit)
Danish Red Cross
05.2023 - 04.2024
- Senior Advisor within the Operations & Programme Unit, supporting country management on operational issues and risk management—initially focused on Ukraine, in coordination with technical teams across HQ. From February 2023, support extended to country operations in Mali, Yemen, Sudan, and Ethiopia, with a strong focus on rolling out a new risk management framework. Also provided surge support to the Migration and Displacement team, advising Red Cross Red Crescent partners on strategy development and best practices for durable solutions to internal displacement.
- 1 year
Global Coordinator - Migration (Staff on Loan from Danish Red Cross)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC
05.2023 - 04.2024
- Lead the coordination of a global initiative uniting 50+ National Societies across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa to improve safety and dignity for migrants on dangerous routes.
- The programme delivers humanitarian services through Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs), leveraging the IFRC network to expand assistance, build National Society capacity, and promote supportive policies through local and global advocacy.
- It also integrates emergency response efforts, including cross-border displacement, ERU development for HSPs, and preparedness actions supporting return and reintegration.
- Https://www.ifrc.org/our-work/disasters-climate-and-crises/migration-and-displacement/migration-our-programmes/global
- (time limited to 12 months - funded and hosted by Danish Red Cross HQ in Copenhagen)
Operations Coordinator (Portfolio & Programmes)
Danish Red Cross
06.2022 - 05.2023
- Managed Danish Red Cross operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Eritrea, including establishing the Ethiopia country office, partnerships, support services, and programming.
- Split role with 50% focus as Regional Migration and Displacement Advisor, supporting development of DRC’s global strategy and tools for migration and displacement programming alongside HQ.
- Based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel across East Africa and to Brussels, Geneva, and Bangkok.
- 1 year
Programme and Operations Coordinator
Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp
08.2020 - 05.2022
- Responsible for supporting Country Operations in Syria and for the Syria Crisis in surrounding countries ensuring that country programmes operate in compliance with standards, commitments and strategic objectives.
- 1 year 10 months
Regional Migration & Displacement Coordinator for Africa (Staff on Loan from Danish Red Cross)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC
08.2019 - 07.2020
- Staff on Loan from Danish Red Cross. Coordination and advisory role for Africa region on migration and displacement issues at strategic, policy, advocacy, programme and operational level.
- Supported 49 African National Societies via IFRC and Danish Red Cross on protection, humanitarian aid, and reintegration through strategy, capacity building, advocacy, research, and emergency response.
- Represented the IFRC in key forums with INGOs, UN, governments, research and donors on migration and displacement issues.
- Based in Nairobi with frequent travel across Sahel, Southern Africa, Sudan, Colombia, Thailand, and Geneva.
- Returned to Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic after nearly 28 years abroad due to international travel restrictions.
- 1 year
Country Manager (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya)
Danish Red Cross
07.2016 - 07.2020
- Managed Danish Red Cross operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Eritrea, including establishing the Ethiopia country office, partnerships, support services, and programming.
- Split role with 50% focus as Regional Migration and Displacement Advisor, supporting development of DRC’s global strategy and tools for migration and displacement programming alongside HQ.
- Based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel across East Africa and to Brussels, Geneva, and Bangkok.
- 4 years 1 month
Operations Coordinator
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Responsible for coordinating support to the Ethiopia Red Cross emergency’s response operations and programmes.
- 1 year
Education
Master of Arts - Refugee Protection And Forced Migration
University of London (School of Advanced Studies)
London06-2023
Skills
- Complex stakeholder engagement
- Innovative solutions to big and small challenges
- Client engagement, relationship development, negotiation and diplomacy
- Operational Management
- Analytical and critical thinking
Timeline
Senior Cooperation Advisor - Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
Danish Red Cross
04.2024 - Current
Global Coordinator - Migration (Staff on Loan to IFRC Geneva Migration & Displacement Unit)
Danish Red Cross
05.2023 - 04.2024
Global Coordinator - Migration (Staff on Loan from Danish Red Cross)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC
05.2023 - 04.2024
Operations Coordinator (Portfolio & Programmes)
Danish Red Cross
06.2022 - 05.2023
Programme and Operations Coordinator
Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp
08.2020 - 05.2022
Regional Migration & Displacement Coordinator for Africa (Staff on Loan from Danish Red Cross)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC
08.2019 - 07.2020
Country Manager (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya)
Danish Red Cross
07.2016 - 07.2020
Operations Coordinator
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC
08.2015 - 07.2016
Stand By Roster - Emergency Response Unit
01.2011 - Current
Master of Arts - Refugee Protection And Forced Migration
University of London (School of Advanced Studies)
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