Field Office Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that focuses on protecting the rights of displaced and affected individuals during crises. Established to provide high-quality programs that support people forced to flee, NRC has been operational since its founding and currently works in 40 countries. The organization is dedicated to delivering immediate humanitarian assistance, preventing further displacement, and contributing to durable solutions for those in need. In Unity State, NRC has been active since 2018, providing assistance to populations affected by displacement through direct aid, coordination of humanitarian responses, and advocacy efforts. NRC specializes in five core competencies: counselling and legal assistance (ICLA), protection from violence, education, shelter and settlements, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This specialization allows NRC to effectively address the diverse needs of displaced populations. As a rights-based organization, NRC advocates for the rights of vulnerable individuals at local, national, regional, and global levels, leveraging its firsthand experience and expertise to influence decision-makers. Starting January 2026, NRC will transition to a field office in Unity State, consolidating its operations from multiple offices into a main office in Leer and a satellite office in Bentiu, ensuring timely and efficient responses to ongoing and new crises in the region.

Job Overview:
The Field Office Manager (FM) position is crucial for providing operational leadership and coordination of NRC’s activities at the field office level. The FM is tasked with ensuring the efficient, secure, and accountable management of both programs and support functions within the designated field office. This role encompasses overseeing the operations of the field office, which includes staff management, program coordination, external engagement, and representation. The position holder must address specific operational needs that arise from the complexity of the response, the remoteness of the location, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security challenges, access constraints, and the necessity for external representation and coordination. The FM is expected to lead the field office in a manner that aligns with NRC’s mission and values, ensuring that the organization can effectively respond to the needs of displaced populations in a timely and efficient manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Field Office Manager will have a range of generic and specific responsibilities. Generic responsibilities include line management of directly reporting staff, overseeing the performance management process, and ensuring that staff have clear goals aligned with the country strategy. The FM will be responsible for workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction, and development, while also ensuring the duty of care for staff. The FM will provide field-specific analysis and inputs on Area Office strategies and maintain effective communication and collaboration with key external stakeholders, including communities, local authorities, and humanitarian actors. The FM will represent NRC in external engagements at the field level and ensure effective coordination and information flow between program and support teams. The FM will manage field office resources, including budget holder responsibilities, procurement, and asset management, ensuring timely and quality implementation of operations in line with NRC policies. Specific responsibilities include coordinating field office security plans, engaging with local authorities and humanitarian actors, participating in assessments and operational analysis, and ensuring proper use of NRC’s accountability and reporting tools. The FM will also be responsible for team building and ensuring duty of care at the field office level, along with any other tasks delegated by the line manager.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Field Office Manager position should possess a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, or a related field. They should have 2 to 3 years of experience in a managerial role within humanitarian or recovery contexts, demonstrating a strong understanding of complex and volatile humanitarian environments. Experience in coordination, inter-agency collaboration, representation, and facilitation is essential. The candidate should also have a solid understanding of both support functions, such as finance and logistics, as well as program implementation. Proficiency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business Management, Social Sciences, or Natural Sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills to manage the complexities of humanitarian operations effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have 2 to 3 years of experience in a managerial role, particularly in humanitarian or recovery contexts. This experience should include working in complex and volatile environments, demonstrating the ability to navigate challenges and coordinate effectively with various stakeholders. Familiarity with inter-agency coordination and representation is also crucial for this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within NRC and with external stakeholders. While English is essential, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context in South Sudan.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Unity, South Sudan, and it is a national contract for a duration of 12 months. The role requires significant travel, estimated at 70%. The salary and benefits are based on NRC’s national salary scale, specifically grade

• 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 empowers employees at all levels to take responsibility. It is important to note that this position is only open to candidates who have the legal right to work in South Sudan, as NRC will not sponsor visas or work permits. Additionally, this position is exclusively available for internal NRC staff.