Bob Kitchen is a global humanitarian leader currently serving as the Vice President of Emergencies at the International Rescue Committee.
Over the past 25 years, he has directed rapid, large-scale responses to more than 50 major emergencies worldwide, supporting communities as they fight for survival amid crisis.
Bob prioritizes swift, strategic action that amplifies local resilience, mutual support, and community-driven solutions—ensuring assistance meets urgent needs with dignity and respect.
“I welcome outreach about senior executive roles, strategic advisory positions, and board leadership opportunities that leverage my deep expertise in humanitarian emergency response, organizational strategy, and global crisis management.
I’m equally interested in speaking engagements, media contributions, or collaborations that meaningfully advance humanitarian thinking and practice”
Emergency Responses
Responses led from the frontline: Albania, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Sudan, Chad, Indonesia, Liberia, Nepal, DRC, Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Turkey, Syria, Greece
Responses managed from HQ: Japan, Libya, Lebanon, Mali, Yemen, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Germany, Serbia, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Ethiopia, Haiti, Poland, Ukraine, Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Professional Experience
Vice President Emergencies & Humanitarian Action
International Rescue Committee (2018 – Current)
Leads global emergency operations across more than 40 countries, successfully managing over $100M annually and directing a 150-person global surge team to achieve significant improvements in response speed, quality, and humanitarian impact. Established strategic frameworks and ethical decision-making protocols that measurably increased principled access to vulnerable communities and enhanced global advocacy influence. Shaped high-level organizational strategies and global humanitarian policies, resulting in stronger cross-sector collaboration and strategic innovation.
Director - Emergency Preparedness & Response
International Rescue Committee (2011 – 2018)
Transformed global emergency preparedness with centralized funding and streamlined operations, significantly enhancing rapid deployment and effectiveness. Built a responsive 30-person Emergency Response Team and 70-person specialist roster, substantially boosting organizational readiness. Elevated IRC’s thought leadership through influential advocacy and strategic participation in global forums including through membership of the IASC Emergency Directors Group
Country Director - Afghanistan
International Rescue Committee (2009 – 2011)
Grew annual country program funding from $3M to $18M, directly enhancing humanitarian outcomes for over one million people through expanded emergency response, reconstruction, economic recovery, and education programs.
Country Director - Democratic Republic of Congo
International Rescue Committee (2007 – 2009)
Established and led IRC’s new field office in North Kivu during active conflict, rapidly expanding frontline humanitarian operations. Subsequently promoted to Country Director, managing IRC’s largest country program globally ($42M annually), overseeing 700 national and 68 international staff across six provinces, and delivering large-scale health, emergency, and gender-based violence interventions benefiting over five million people.
Emergency Response Team - Country Director
International Rescue Committee (2005 – 2007)Led rapid-response interventions, establishing country programs from inception, securing substantial donor funding, and recruiting and directing teams to deliver effective frontline humanitarian responses in CAR, Chad, Indonesia, Liberia, and Nepal.
Early Career - details available here
Various (1999 – 2005)Between 1999 and 2005, managed frontline humanitarian operations and complex emergency logistics in Albania, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Sudan. Opened critical field offices, rapidly established emergency health and protection programs in response to conflict, and directed large multicultural teams delivering essential humanitarian support under challenging operational conditions.
Core Competencies
Crisis Leadership | Strategic Funding | Rapid Response | Ethical Decision-Making | Negotiated Humanitarian Access
Localization & Partnerships | Advocacy & Influence | Media & Strategic Communications