Head of Programme (HoP)

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 the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the necessary aid and protection in times of crisis. NRC's mission is to help those in need, advocating for their rights and working towards sustainable solutions for their challenges.

Job Overview:
The Head of Programme (HoP) is a pivotal role within NRC, responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of all programmatic activities. This position ensures that programs are designed, implemented, and monitored in alignment with NRC's strategic objectives, donor requirements, and humanitarian standards. The HoP will have line management responsibilities and will play a crucial role in capacity building related to Project Cycle Management (PCM), Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks. The position requires close collaboration with the Head of Support and Area Managers to enhance capacity in NRC's core competencies and thematic areas. The HoP will also engage in program quality assurance, donor engagement, partnerships, and representation, making this role essential for the success of NRC's mission in South Sudan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Programme will be a member of the Country Management Group (CMG) and will ensure compliance with NRC policies, guidance, and procedures. Key responsibilities include providing programmatic input to the Country Strategy and Plan of Action, developing Core Competency strategies aligned with regional and global priorities, and creating integrated, needs-based programs, including cash-based and market-based interventions. The HoP will identify funding opportunities, develop funding strategies, and manage grants, ensuring compliance with donor standards. Responsibilities also include overseeing quality control, monitoring and evaluation, and organizational learning, as well as capacity building for technical staff. The HoP will represent NRC at relevant forums, promote the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, and lead the development and implementation of the Country Strategy in line with regional and global objectives. Additional duties include managing donor relationships, ensuring effective grant management, and identifying and mitigating program risks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, humanitarian affairs, or a related field. A minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in humanitarian and development programming is required, with at least 5 years in a senior management role. Strong understanding of the humanitarian architecture and the context in South Sudan is essential. Candidates should demonstrate skills in strategic planning, proposal writing, and donor engagement, along with proven experience in managing multi-sectoral, multi-donor programs. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are necessary, as well as high-level interpersonal, representation, and negotiation skills. Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, humanitarian affairs, or a related field. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the strategic planning necessary for effective program management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in humanitarian and development programming, with at least 5 years in a senior management role. Candidates should have a strong understanding of the humanitarian context in South Sudan and demonstrated experience in managing multi-sectoral programs. Experience in emergency and post-emergency contexts, as well as familiarity with coordination mechanisms such as cluster and sectorial approaches, is highly advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, both written and verbal. Knowledge of local languages or dialects spoken in South Sudan would be considered an advantage, as it may facilitate better communication and engagement with local communities.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Juba, South Sudan, and the contract duration is for 24 months, with the possibility of either national or international recruitment. The role requires approximately 30% travel. The salary and benefits are based on grade 9 of NRC’s international salary scale. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative ideas and empowers employees at all levels, providing numerous opportunities for professional growth and contribution.