Area Support Manager (ASM)

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 operates in over 40 countries, employing around 15,000 staff members who provide life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. In the Middle East, NRC has more than 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 core competencies, 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).

Job Overview:
The Area Support Manager (ASM) position is crucial for ensuring that the relevant support functions at the area level and field offices are adequately managed and aligned with the overall objectives of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The ASM will lead support units, ensuring compliance with NRC and donor guidelines, and will be responsible for providing high-quality and efficient support for program implementation. The role requires a strategic thinker with senior management experience, particularly in the humanitarian sector, and the ability to lead and manage multi-functional teams effectively. The ASM will also play a vital role in developing and implementing support strategies that enhance the capacity of national staff and align operational support with program plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Area Support Manager include:

• Developing and implementing a support strategy that is tailored to the national staff's capacity development and aligns with the Area Plan of Action.
• Ensuring compliance with NRC policies, guidelines, and donor/auditor requirements, including performing regular spot-checks on supporting documentation to identify areas for improvement.
• Leading the Support Department and fostering collaboration among program units while managing support staff in Finance, HR & Admin, Logistics, and ICT.
• Managing the Area Support Budget and ensuring that the Master Budget is covered at all times, with sustainable and flexible HR structures in place.
• Ensuring that HR, finance, logistics, and administration systems adequately support the area office's programs throughout the project cycle.
• Developing new country and area-specific technical SOPs, guidelines, and tools in HR, Logistics/ICT, and Finance.
• Supporting the Area Office Emergency response program to ensure that support functions are effective and contribute to the success of the response.
• Providing training and technical support to the support functions in the Area office and Field offices on finance, logistics, and HR procedures.
• Serving as a member of the Area Management Team (AMT).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in management, administration, or a relevant field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management position within a humanitarian or recovery context is required, with strong knowledge of support functions such as Finance, Logistics, Human Resources, and Administration. Candidates should have a solid understanding of HR, finance, and logistics routines in a humanitarian context, along with expertise in resource allocation and cost management. Experience in implementing humanitarian projects in complex and volatile contexts, as well as responding to emergency interventions, is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate experience in building capacity and managing multifunctional teams, along with a thorough understanding of donor requirements and compliance rules. Knowledge of the Palestine or regional context is highly desirable, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to process large amounts of data.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in management, administration, or a related field. This foundational education is critical for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and support functions.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior management role within a humanitarian or recovery context. Candidates should have a strong background in support functions, including Finance, Logistics, Human Resources, and Administration, and should be adept at managing multi-functional teams in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency in Arabic is considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and team members.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is in the West Bank, Palestine, with a fixed-term contract of 12 months, subject to renewal based on performance, availability of funds, and the ongoing need for the position. The role involves approximately 30% travel within the West Bank areas of operation. The salary and benefits are classified under Grade 8 on NRC’s salary scale, which includes accompanying terms and conditions. NRC is committed to diversity and equal opportunities, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates. The organization values innovative ideas and empowers employees at all levels to take responsibility and contribute to the mission.