Area Support Manager (ASM)

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 essential life-saving and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding human dignity and delivering aid in a manner that respects the rights and needs of those affected by crises. NRC's mission is to ensure that displaced individuals receive the assistance they require to rebuild their lives and regain their independence.

Job Overview:
The Area Support Manager (ASM) position is crucial for providing comprehensive support to various 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 support, resource management, and ensuring that all support-related matters are handled efficiently within the NRC West Bank Office. The successful candidate will also play a key role in the operational scale-up of the Area Office, contributing to the development and implementation of the Country Strategy.

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, participating in grants opening and closure meetings, and offering operational inputs into donor proposals and reports. The ASM will ensure optimal resource utilization within allocated budgets related to operational and support costs. This position involves line management of heads of support departments, capacity building, and performance management. The ASM will coordinate closely with the Country Office and other Area Support Departments, acting as the focal point for this coordination. Additionally, the ASM will contribute to strengthening adherence to support standard operating procedures (SOPs), NRC guidelines, and donor requirements. The role also includes overseeing the implementation of risk mitigation measures, ensuring compliance with documentation requirements, and leading the development and regular updating of the Master Support Budget at the Area Office level. The ASM will coordinate operational support with program plans and represent NRC externally when required by the Area Manager.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Humanitarian Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Finance, Human Resources, or Supply Chain. A minimum of four years of experience in a middle management position, preferably within a humanitarian or early recovery context, is required. The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of program management in a humanitarian context, particularly in start-up or scale-up environments. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and reporting skills, both written and oral, are essential. Candidates should be flexible, adaptable, and possess strong problem-solving abilities.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Humanitarian Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Finance, Human Resources, or Supply Chain. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and support functions.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of experience in a middle management role, ideally within a humanitarian or early recovery context. Candidates should have a proven track record in managing support functions and operations, demonstrating their ability to lead teams and manage resources effectively in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian is considered an asset but is not mandatory. Proficiency in these languages can enhance communication and collaboration within the local context.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is 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 under Grade 8 on NRC's grading structure. 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 thinking and empowers employees at all levels to take initiative and contribute ideas. 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 advised to attach copies of their academic and professional certificates when applying.