Head of Support

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. Established in 1946, NRC has grown to employ approximately 15,000 staff members who work across 40 countries, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. In the Middle East, NRC has over 3,000 staff members focused on aiding those affected by conflict in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine. The organization specializes in various humanitarian interventions, including Shelter, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). NRC is committed to delivering high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, making it a vital player in the humanitarian sector.

Job Overview:
The Head of Support at NRC Palestine will play a crucial role in ensuring that all support functions are delivering high-quality and efficient support for program implementation. This position requires a seasoned leader who can provide strategic direction and oversight of support functions, facilitating a smooth transition and effective program implementation in a rapidly changing context. The successful candidate will be responsible for line management of support managers across various departments, including Finance, HR & Admin, Logistics, ICT, and PSS. As a member of the Country Management Group (CMG), the Head of Support will ensure compliance with NRC policies and donor requirements, contribute to the development of the Country Strategy and Plan of Action, and oversee the Master Support Budget and country-level budgets. This role is essential for maintaining the quality and timeliness of support to project implementation and for fostering organizational learning related to program support.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Support will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Line management of support managers in Finance, HR & Admin, Logistics, ICT, and PSS.
• Membership in the Country Management Group (CMG) to contribute to strategic decision-making.
• Ensuring compliance with NRC policies, guidance, and donor/auditor requirements.
• Facilitating the strategic input of support functions into the development of the Country Strategy and Plan of Action.
• Providing operational support in proposal development and aligning operational support with program plans.
• Ensuring quality and timely support for project implementation.
• Overseeing the Master Support Budget and country-level budgets, including assessing and monitoring costs and resource allocation needs.
• Developing new country-specific technical SOPs, guidelines, and tools.
• Promoting organizational learning related to program support. 1
• Building technical capacity among support staff to enhance their effectiveness.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in operational support functions within a humanitarian or recovery context, with at least 2 years in a senior management role similar to Head of Support. Proven experience and fluency in NRC’s systems and processes are essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership skills in managing multi-disciplinary support teams, as well as strong financial and budget management capabilities. Experience in HR management, procurement, and logistics in complex environments is required. Familiarity with auditing and compliance procedures is also necessary. The ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment is crucial, along with a detail-oriented approach and high levels of accuracy and integrity. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Excellent analytical skills for interpreting financial data and trends are also required.

Educational Background:
A relevant educational background is essential for this position, typically requiring a degree in a field related to humanitarian assistance, management, or a similar discipline. Advanced degrees or specialized training in areas such as finance, human resources, or logistics may be advantageous and are often preferred by employers in this sector.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 5 years in operational support functions within a humanitarian or recovery context. Candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in a senior management role, demonstrating their capability to lead and manage support functions effectively in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to the regions where NRC operates, but English remains the primary language for communication within the organization.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Jerusalem, with work location in Amman. It is open exclusively to internal NRC staff. The role involves approximately 25% travel to areas of operation. The salary and benefits are classified under Grade 11 on NRC’s salary scale. NRC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization fosters a culture that encourages innovative ideas and responsibility among employees at all levels, providing numerous opportunities for professional growth and contribution.