Strong thanks to local colleagues
In the Johanniter country offices, over 300 colleagues work every day to provide the best possible support to people in crises and conflicts. Most of them are national employees.
‘Our 260 national colleagues bring with them a deep understanding of the local conditions, language and culture,’ says HR officer Sigrun Hellwig. ‘They help us to ensure that our projects remain relevant and sustainable. This further strengthens the trust of the people we work with.’ They are therefore crucial to the success of our work.
Most of our national staff – 90 in total – are employed in South Sudan. There are 51 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by Mozambique with 29 local colleagues. The majority of our local staff worldwide are between 31 and 40 years old.
To enable them to contribute their strengths and perspectives, they are actively involved in strategic decision-making. ‘Their voices are valued at all levels of the organisation,’ says Hellwig. Those who want to expand their skills and work internationally are encouraged and can develop further.
Local employees often work in complex and high-risk environments. In return, they receive fair remuneration, additional non-monetary benefits and psychosocial support if required. ‘We are delighted that many local colleagues have been loyal to Johanniter for almost 10 years,’ says Sigrun Hellwig.
What our national employees say
Roy, how long have you been with us and has your position changed?
I have been with Johanniter since March 2020, initially as Programme Officer for Lebanon. Due to growing responsibilities, I later became Programme Manager for Lebanon.
What are your responsibilities in your position?
I manage the implementation of all Johanniter projects in Lebanon, monitor partner organisations, provide technical and strategic support, and ensure compliance with funding requirements. I also represent Johanniter in important coordination committees and work closely with other organisations.
What are you particularly proud of?
I am proud that during my time with Johanniter, we have always been able to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, especially young people and women. One outstanding moment was our rapid and effective response to the explosion in the port of Beirut in August 2020. At that time, we were able to provide urgently needed assistance to the affected communities very quickly. Leading our emergency response for internally displaced persons after the escalation in the south of the country in 2023 was also a major challenge that we mastered together. These experiences have shown how committed, flexible and supportive our team is in crisis situations.
How is the working atmosphere within the team?
Although I am the only Johanniter employee working in Lebanon and share my office with a partner organisation in Beirut, I feel very close to our regional team. The cooperation with my colleagues in the regional office is not only professional, but also very supportive. I particularly appreciate the friendly atmosphere, mutual trust and respectful exchange. Our team dynamic is very friendly – we support each other, share common values and pursue the same goals. This gives me a lot of support and motivation in my daily work.
Do you feel well supported?
Yes, I feel very well supported by both the regional office and headquarters. Especially in difficult times, such as during the recent escalation in 2024, I clearly felt the care and commitment of my colleagues. In addition to operational support and official measures to protect employees, I also received a lot of support on a personal level. Several colleagues from headquarters regularly called to check on my well-being and that of my family. This emotional and psychosocial support helped me a lot during this time and further strengthened my sense of belonging and appreciation for Johanniter.
Susan, how long have you been with us?
I have been with Johanniter for six years.
What are your responsibilities in your position?
My responsibilities include processing monthly transactions, preparing monthly financial statements and supporting the country offices in reviewing monthly transactions and reconciling balance sheets. My other responsibilities include training the various finance staff in the country offices and onboarding newly hired finance staff in the country offices.
What are you proud of?
I started as a financial assistant and am now a financial coordinator, responsible for reviewing all transactions and balance sheet items in the central finance departments. I am very proud of that. And I enjoy supporting my colleagues every day.
How is the collaboration with your colleagues and with headquarters?
My team is very supportive, and I enjoy working with our various colleagues in the country offices and colleagues at headquarters. Overall, I feel well supported. I appreciate the communication, have helpful resources at my disposal and a manager who respects my work schedule and values my contribution. He gives me regular feedback. I am also satisfied with the opportunities for growth, such as trainings, mentoring and flexibility, e.g. the option to work from home from time to time.