Regional Programme Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to protect the rights of displaced and affected individuals during crises. Founded to respond to the needs of those forced to flee their homes, NRC has grown to deliver high-quality programs aimed at helping these individuals rebuild their lives and establish a new future. The organization operates in 40 countries, providing immediate humanitarian assistance, preventing further displacement, and contributing to durable solutions. NRC has undergone a significant restructuring to enhance its operational efficiency, moving from a three-tier structure (country-region-head office) to a two-tier structure (country-global). This change aims to streamline operations and improve the support provided to country offices through global resource pools, which include various specialized teams that offer expertise in program management, grants, and monitoring and evaluation (MEAL).

Job Overview:
As a Regional Programme Adviser, the primary responsibility is to provide expert advice and guidance to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and/or Head of Programme, ensuring that optimal program strategies, structures, systems, and resources are effectively implemented across all country offices within the region. This role involves offering advisory support and capacity building in critical areas such as business development, crisis management, strategy development, and program quality efforts. The Regional Programme Adviser will work within a technical matrix, collaborating closely with both technical and operational colleagues, and will also contribute to global initiatives as part of a broader community of specialists. The position requires a proactive approach to facilitate collaboration and coordination between the regional team and the global programs team, ensuring that information is shared effectively and that critical issues are identified and addressed promptly.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Programme Adviser include facilitating collaboration and coordination between the regional team and the global programs team through effective information sharing, organizing meetings, and identifying critical issues that may arise. The adviser will support collaboration with global support teams to ensure optimal assistance to country offices, assist in ongoing transition and change processes at the country level, and support the sharing of experiences and lessons learned among program teams in the region. Engaging with partners and donors at the regional level, the adviser will support the implementation of multi-country projects by identifying and highlighting existing support needs at the country level. Additionally, the adviser will contribute to identifying relevant projects in line with NRC’s response policy and mobilize necessary internal support. Other tasks may be delegated by the line manager, including working collaboratively with colleagues in Global Resource pools to identify gaps in quality and practice, supporting potential partnerships, and outlining business proposals for cross-country or regional arrangements.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires professional competencies that include a minimum of 5 years of experience within the humanitarian or recovery context, with at least 3 years in a managerial or advisory role. Candidates should possess specialist knowledge and expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as international development, politics, or social science. Knowledge of institutional donors’ strategies, priorities, and compliance requirements is considered an asset. A proven track record in successful proposal development or similar funding or partnership experiences is essential, along with experience working in complex and volatile contexts, preferably within the region. The candidate must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to collaborative work within a matrix structure, including capacity building.

Educational Background:
Candidates are expected to hold an advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as international development, politics, or social science. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the various factors that influence program development and implementation in crisis situations.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the humanitarian or recovery context, with at least 3 years in a managerial or advisory capacity. This experience should include working in complex and volatile environments, with a preference for prior experience in the region. Familiarity with overall strategy development and planning, as well as experience in developing learning and development tools to support capacity building, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse teams and stakeholders involved in NRC's operations. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Dakar, Senegal, with a contract duration of 12 months. The salary is classified at grade 9 on NRC’s salary scale. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability. The organization encourages innovative ideas and provides employees at all levels with opportunities to take initiative and be heard. NRC emphasizes a supportive culture and open dialogue with management, and it is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization also prioritizes safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contribute to a safe environment, and report any incidents of exploitation or harassment.