Area Operations Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee due to crises. Founded in 1946, NRC has grown to employ approximately 15,000 staff members and operates in 40 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people each year, focusing on core competencies such as Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security (LFS), and Protection from Violence (PfV). NRC has been active in Venezuela since 2005, responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has resulted in millions of people needing assistance and protection.

Job Overview:
The Area Operations Manager will be responsible for the operational oversight of the designated Area Office in Zulia State, Venezuela. This role involves coordinating program implementation and ensuring that high-quality support services are compliant with organizational standards. The manager will drive the achievement of key program objectives, address operational bottlenecks, and maintain the delivery of services in the area. Additionally, the Area Operations Manager will escalate risks to country leadership to ensure effective program/project implementation. The position requires strong leadership skills, as the manager will oversee directly reporting staff, manage performance processes, and ensure workforce planning, recruitment, and staff development. The role also includes collaboration with the country office's program unit to embed area-specific strategies into the overall country strategy and Plan of Action.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Area Operations Manager will have several key responsibilities, including:

• Line management of directly reporting staff, ensuring effective performance management processes are in place.
• Setting clear goals aligned with the country strategy and priorities, and supporting staff in achieving these goals.
• Overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction, and development, ensuring Duty of Care for staff.
• Acting as a member of the Country Management Group (CMG) and chairing the Area Management Group.
• Collaborating with the program unit to ensure area-specific needs are integrated into core competencies and strategies.
• Supporting the development of concept notes, project proposals, and budgets to enhance response activities.
• Monitoring and developing the area office budget, ensuring compliance with donor proposals and reports.
• Conducting needs assessments and implementing emergency response activities in coordination with the country office program team.
• Ensuring optimal resource use within allocated budgets and compliance with donor requirements and national laws.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 3 years of experience in a Senior Project and Field Management role, preferably within a humanitarian or recovery context. They should have a Bachelor's degree in political sciences, social studies, business administration, or a relevant field. Proven work experience in volatile and insecure contexts is essential, along with experience in planning missions and negotiating access with local authorities. Candidates should demonstrate strong team management and leadership skills, with documented results related to the responsibilities of the position. Additionally, fluency in both Spanish and English, both written and verbal, is required, along with knowledge of transborder dynamics and the context in Zulia and Tachira States.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in political sciences, social studies, business administration, or any other relevant field is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of experience in a Senior Project and Field Management role, ideally within a humanitarian or recovery context. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing teams, dealing with complex management issues, and navigating challenging environments. Experience in humanitarian access negotiations and security management is also crucial, as well as experience with project budget management and working in hard-to-reach contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is mandatory for this position, both in written and verbal communication. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the operational context in Venezuela.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela, and is offered as a national contract for a duration of 6 months, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding and performance. The role may require travel of up to 30%. The salary and benefits are based on NRC’s regional salary scale, classified as grade 9, with accompanying terms and conditions. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing equal opportunities without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability. The organization fosters a culture of empowerment, encouraging employees to share ideas and take responsibility.