Area Support Manager (ASM)

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that has been operational since 194

• With a mission to help people forced to flee, NRC employs approximately 15,000 staff members who work in crises across 40 countries. The organization provides life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year, focusing on the needs of refugees and displaced individuals. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that its workforce reflects the communities it serves, and operates with a strong emphasis on human dignity and respect for all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Area Support Manager (ASM) position is crucial for providing adequate support to various support functions at the area level and field offices. The ASM will lead support units, ensuring compliance with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and donor guidelines. This role requires a strategic thinker with senior management experience, particularly in the humanitarian sector, and the ability to manage multi-functional teams effectively. The ASM will be responsible for overseeing operational scale-up efforts, participating in grant management meetings, and ensuring optimal resource utilization within allocated budgets. The position demands strong coordination with the Country Office and other support departments, as well as adherence to NRC guidelines and donor requirements. The ASM will also be tasked with risk management and compliance with documentation standards, making this role integral to the success of NRC's operations in the region.

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

• Providing active support for the operational scale-up of the Area Office and contributing area-specific inputs relevant to the Country Strategy.
• Participating in grants opening and closure meetings at the Area level and providing operational/support inputs into donor proposals and reports as required.
• Ensuring optimal use of resources within the allocated budgets related to operational/support costs.
• Managing the heads of support departments in the North-East Area Office, focusing on capacity building and performance management.
• Coordinating with the Country Office and other Area Support Departments, acting as the focal point for this coordination.
• Contributing to the strengthening of Area level implementation and adherence to Support SOPs, NRC guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as donor requirements.
• Overseeing the implementation of identified risk mitigation measures, including conducting spot checks in line with Anti-Corruption risk mapping.
• Ensuring compliance with Securing Supporting Documentation (SSD) and the Country Office data management under the guidance of the Country Office.
• Leading the elaboration and regular updating of the Master Support Budget at the Area Office level, driving the optimization of operational/support costs. 1
• Coordinating and aligning operational support with program plans at the North-East Area level, ensuring that Procurement Plans, HR plans, and Spending Plans for each project are in place. 1
• Representing NRC externally in various forums when requested by the Area Manager.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Area Support Manager position include:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Humanitarian Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain, or a similar discipline.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in a middle management position, preferably within a humanitarian or early recovery context, with a strong background in managing support functions and operations.
• A good understanding of program management in a humanitarian context, ideally with experience in start-up or scale-up environments.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and reporting skills, both written and oral.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field, which may include Humanitarian Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain, or similar areas of study. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage support functions within the humanitarian sector.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in a middle management role, preferably within a humanitarian or early recovery context. Candidates should have a solid understanding of support functions and operations management, with a proven track record of leading teams and managing resources effectively. Experience in start-up or scale-up environments is considered an added advantage, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to adapt to dynamic and challenging situations.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. While Ukrainian and/or Russian language skills are considered an asset, they are not mandatory. The ability to communicate effectively in English is crucial for collaboration with international teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The Area Support Manager position is based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with a contract duration of 12 months. The role may require travel of up to 20% to field offices and areas of implementation. The salary and benefits are classified as Grade 8 on NRC's grading structure. NRC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative ideas and empowers employees at all levels to take responsibility. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Ukraine, as NRC is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position. Candidates are required to attach copies of their academic and professional certificates when applying.