People & Organisation (P&O) Partner Lead

People & Organisation (P&O) Partner Lead

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

September 26, 2025November 10, 2025OsloNorway
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) About
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. When NRC started relief efforts after World War Two, humanitarian needs were critical. NRC is still there, protecting people forced to flee and supporting them as they build a new future. Today, NRC works in both new and protracted crises across 30 countries, where they provide food assistance, clean water, shelter, legal aid, and education.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding human dignity and advocating for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC's mission is to ensure that those affected by crises receive the help they need to rebuild their lives and regain their rights.

Job Overview:
The People & Organisation (P&O) Partner Lead position at NRC is a pivotal role within the Global P&O team, focusing on leading a pooled team of P&O professionals. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing operational leadership and ensuring the delivery of high-quality people services across NRC's Head Office, Representation Offices, and Roving teams. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape organizational policies, drive change, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior management. The P&O Partner Lead will be instrumental in influencing people strategies and initiatives, fostering collaboration between management and union representatives, and ensuring that NRC's HR practices align with Norwegian labor laws and donor requirements. The position requires a proactive approach to managing HR matters, including workforce planning, recruitment, and employee development, while also overseeing policy reviews and the implementation of new procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As the P&O Partner Lead, the individual will be tasked with leading and managing a pooled P&O team, ensuring effective resource allocation and service delivery. Key responsibilities include partnering with senior management to influence people strategies, driving collaboration between union representatives and managers to enhance staff development and retention, and ensuring fair compensation and benefits for NRC staff. The role also involves providing operational and strategic support on various HR matters, overseeing policy reviews, and embedding change management principles to facilitate the adoption of new P&O procedures. The P&O Partner Lead will act as an escalation point for complex HR cases, providing business-focused and risk-balanced solutions, while ensuring alignment with Norwegian labor laws and NRC standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the P&O Partner Lead position must possess a bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field. A minimum of 8 years of HR management experience is required, preferably within an international or humanitarian context. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading teams, driving organizational change, and delivering results in complex environments. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate fluency in both English and Norwegian, possess solid knowledge of HR principles and employee relations, and have a collaborative, people-focused approach with the ability to influence and build relationships across diverse teams.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field. This foundational education is essential for understanding the complexities of HR management and organizational behavior, which are critical for the role of P&O Partner Lead.

Experience:
The position requires at least 8 years of HR management experience, ideally in an international or humanitarian setting. This level of experience is necessary to navigate the challenges associated with managing HR functions in diverse and often complex environments, ensuring that the candidate is well-equipped to lead a team and influence organizational strategies effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Norwegian, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this role. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders, particularly in a multicultural and multilingual context. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The P&O Partner Lead position is based in Oslo, Norway, and is a permanent contract role. The position may require travel of up to 10%. The salary and benefits are aligned with NRC's grade 10 on the salary resident scale, which includes accompanying terms and conditions. NRC is committed to diversity and equal opportunities, ensuring a workplace that values all employees regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and provides employees at all levels with the opportunity to share ideas and take responsibility.
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