Deputy Director INGO Forum

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 employees, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is dedicated to advocating for the rights of displaced persons and works to secure increased humanitarian funding and engagement to foster structural changes in protection and assistance. NRC is committed to creating a positive working culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees feel empowered and supported in their roles.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director INGO Forum for Zamfara, Nigeria, plays a crucial role in supporting the forum and its members who provide humanitarian and development aid, as well as peacebuilding initiatives in North West Nigeria. This position involves facilitating information exchange, coordination, and advocacy among various stakeholders to ensure effective decision-making and representation of INGO interests. The Deputy Director will be responsible for bridging the coordination between Abuja and the northwest response, ensuring that the forum's objectives are met. The role may also require the Deputy Director to support the forum and its members in Abuja and other locations as needed, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to the evolving needs of the organization and the communities it serves.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Director will be responsible for proactive agenda setting and facilitating collaboration among INGOs. This includes enabling the sharing of information and analysis to support effective decision-making. The role requires high-level representation of INGO interests in external meetings and planning efforts at a regional level, as well as strategic guidance and support for common advocacy and policy engagement. The Deputy Director will manage the Admin & Liaison Technical Officer, ensuring that their activities align with the overall objectives of the Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF) in the North West. Additionally, the Deputy Director may be tasked with providing strategic and day-to-day management of the northwest office, which includes overseeing personnel, budget, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security matters. Compliance with host agency procedures for the operation of NIF’s northwest office is essential. The Deputy Director will also support the Director in budgeting, budget management, and accountability, while facilitating INGO coordination in North West states by identifying gaps, duplication, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field or an undergraduate degree accompanied by significant field experience. A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in humanitarian or development aid is required, preferably within complex emergencies or access-constrained/insecure areas. Demonstrable knowledge of key thematic areas, including access, humanitarian principles, and community participation, is essential. The ability to build relationships and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders is crucial for success in this role. Candidates should have fluency in English, both written and spoken, with strong writing and editing skills. Excellent analytical abilities and the capacity to work independently in fast-paced environments are also necessary. Experience with INGO consortia/forums and influencing policy change is desirable, along with knowledge of the Nigerian context or previous experience working in Nigeria or West Africa. Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and diplomatic skills are required, and knowledge of Hausa is considered an added value.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in a relevant field, which may encompass areas such as international relations, humanitarian studies, development studies, or a related discipline. Alternatively, candidates with an undergraduate degree who have significant field experience in relevant sectors may also be considered. The emphasis is on having a strong academic foundation that supports the responsibilities of the role and the ability to navigate complex humanitarian environments effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development aid, particularly in contexts characterized by complexity and insecurity. This experience should ideally include work in access-constrained areas, where the ability to adapt and respond to challenging situations is critical. Candidates with prior experience in administration and coordination of coalition or secretariat functions will be at an advantage, as will those who have a proven track record of influencing policy change and practice within the humanitarian sector.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as strong written and spoken communication skills are essential for effective representation and advocacy. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of Hausa is considered an added value, as it may enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders in Nigeria. Candidates who possess additional language skills relevant to the region may also be viewed favorably.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Zamfara, Nigeria, with a fixed national contract. The role involves significant travel, estimated at 60%, which includes both field and capital travel. The salary and benefits for this position are classified as grade 10 on NRC’s salary scale, accompanied by the relevant terms and conditions. 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 thinking and empowers employees at all levels to take responsibility and share their ideas. Candidates should be aware that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, and applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered.