Area Operations Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee due to conflict and disaster. Established in 1946, NRC has grown to employ approximately 15,000 staff members working in crises across 40 countries. The organization is dedicated to providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year, advocating for the rights of displaced individuals, and calling for increased humanitarian funding to address the needs of vulnerable populations. NRC is committed to safety, wellbeing, and fostering a positive working culture that values empowerment, support, and a sense of belonging among its employees.

Job Overview:
The Area Operations Manager for Artibonite, Haiti, is a pivotal role within NRC, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the designated Area Offices. This position involves coordinating program implementation and ensuring that high-quality support services are compliant with NRC's standards. The Area Operations Manager will drive the achievement of key program objectives, address operational bottlenecks, and maintain the delivery of services in the area. Additionally, the role requires escalating risks to country leadership to ensure effective and cost-efficient program/project implementation. The successful candidate will lead the establishment of the NRC Area Office in Artibonite, ensuring that the office becomes fully operational and that there is constructive engagement with local authorities and stakeholders to facilitate program implementation and strengthen NRC's operational presence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Area Operations Manager include leading the establishment of the NRC Area Office in Artibonite, supporting the identification and setup of office premises, and ensuring the office is fully operational. The manager will develop and maintain constructive engagement with local authorities, community leaders, civil society actors, and humanitarian organizations to facilitate program implementation. They will work closely with the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) team to support access negotiations and contribute to the development of area-specific access strategies. The role also includes line management responsibilities for directly reporting staff, overseeing performance management processes, workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction, and ensuring Duty of Care for staff. The Area Operations Manager will act as a member of the Country Management Group (CMG), representing the area of operations and chairing the Area Management Group. Collaboration with the program unit at the country office is essential to ensure area-specific considerations are integrated into the core competencies and country strategy. The manager will also support the development of concept notes, project proposals, and budget development to scale up response activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in a Senior Project and team Management role, preferably within a humanitarian or recovery context. A Bachelor's degree in political sciences, social studies, business administration, or a relevant field is required. Proven work experience in highly volatile and insecure contexts is essential, along with fluency in French and Creole, both written and verbal, and a good command of English. Experience in implementing and managing cash-based interventions and market-based programs is also necessary, as well as contextual knowledge of Haiti, including humanitarian access dynamics, displacement patterns, and local governance structures, particularly in Artibonite. Candidates should have proven experience in managing start-up phases, program closures, and operations in high-risk or hard-to-reach contexts, ensuring continuity and impact under volatile conditions. Experience liaising with multiple stakeholders, including government, donors, UN, and I/LNGO partners, is also required, along with knowledge of the circumstances and challenges faced by displaced and conflict-affected communities.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in political sciences, social studies, business administration, or any other relevant field. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian operations and the socio-political dynamics in which NRC operates.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in a Senior Project and team Management role, ideally within a humanitarian or recovery context. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing projects in challenging environments and should be adept at navigating the complexities of humanitarian operations.

Languages:
Fluency in French and Creole is mandatory, both written and verbal. A good command of English is also required, as it will facilitate communication with international stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is in Saint Marc, Artibonite, Haiti, with a fixed national contract signed with ECSI for a duration of 6 months, which is renewable subject to funding and performance. The role involves travel to areas of intervention, with approximately 30% travel expected to locations such as Petite Riviere de l’Artibonite, Verrettes, and l’Estere. The salary and benefits are based on grade 9 of NRC’s salary scale, along with accompanying terms and conditions. NRC is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, ensuring a welcoming and supportive work environment for all employees.