Area Support Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. Since its inception, NRC has been dedicated to providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on various core competencies such as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. NRC has been active in Nigeria since 2015, responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing violence and displacement, and has reached over 269,000 people with assistance in 2021 alone. The organization emphasizes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to fostering professional growth and innovative teams.

Job Overview:
The Area Support Manager is a crucial role within the NRC, responsible for shaping and driving the strategic vision of the Area Office in Northeast Nigeria. This position is designed to lead and optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of key support functions, including Logistics, Finance, Human Resources, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The Support Manager ensures strict adherence to NRC's systems and processes, fostering an environment of accountability and excellence. As a member of the Area Management Team, the Support Manager plays a significant role in establishing and maintaining robust work systems aimed at maximizing the positive impact on the lives of individuals affected by conflict. The position requires strategic oversight and collaborative leadership to enhance the organization’s ability to serve communities in need effectively, ensuring that all support initiatives align with the overarching mission of assisting displacement-affected people in Northeast Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Area Support Manager will have a range of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: line management for support staff such as Finance, HR & Admin, Logistics, and ICT; ensuring compliance with NRC policies, guidance, handbooks, and donor/auditor requirements; providing operational support and input to the Area Plan of Action; coordinating and aligning active support with program plans at the Area level; ensuring quality support to project implementation; facilitating the Area Support Budget and area-level budgets, including support costs; developing regular reports on the Area level to the Country Office and Area Manager; implementing new country-specific technical SOPs, guidelines, and tools in the Area; facilitating training for program staff on finance, logistics, and HR procedures; and responsible for the technical capacity building of support staff in HR, Logistics/ICT, and Finance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess professional competencies that include a minimum of 4 years in a middle management position within a humanitarian or recovery context, with experience in a Finance or Logistics managerial position being essential. A solid knowledge of HR, finance, and logistics routines in a humanitarian context is required. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate fluency in English, both written and verbal. Context-specific skills, knowledge, and experience such as remote management experience, knowledge of the Nigerian Emergency Response crisis, and experience in partnership management are considered assets. Previous NRC experience in a similar role is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
While the job description does not specify exact educational qualifications, it is generally expected that candidates will have a relevant degree or equivalent experience in fields related to humanitarian work, management, or a related discipline that supports the functions of the Area Support Manager role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 4 years of experience in a middle management role within a humanitarian or recovery context. Experience in finance or logistics management is essential, and familiarity with the Nigerian Emergency Response crisis is highly valued. Candidates should also have experience in remote management and partnership management, which are considered beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as requirements in the job description.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is in Northeast Nigeria, specifically Maiduguri. The contract duration is set for 12 months, and the salary will be based on grade 8 of NRC’s National salary scale. NRC is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in the workplace, and the organization encourages applications from individuals with the legal right to work in Nigeria. It is important to note that NRC is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position. The organization emphasizes a supportive culture, open dialogue with management, and a commitment to safeguarding, expecting all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contribute to a safe environment, and report any incidents of exploitation or harassment.