Senior Programme Officer

Job Posting Organization:
NORCAP is an organization that works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. It provides expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding partners, believing that collaboration is essential to reduce needs, risks, and vulnerabilities over time. NORCAP aims not only to reduce needs but also to create choices and opportunities for vulnerable populations. The organization operates globally, working with various partners to enhance aid effectiveness and address unmet gaps and challenges. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which emphasizes values such as dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Officer role is crucial for translating the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security's priorities into coherent programs and measurable results. This position involves providing strategic and operational leadership, ensuring that strategies are effectively converted into well-managed programs. The Senior Programme Officer will be responsible for overseeing results-based planning, budgeting, and performance management, while also addressing delivery risks and supporting high-performing teams. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including African Union departments and Regional Economic Communities, to implement Women, Peace and Security commitments. The position is based in Addis Ababa and is a secondment to the African Union, reporting to both the Senior Advisor and the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Programme Officer will lead the planning and integration of program portfolios across the Office’s strategic pillars, ensuring alignment with African Union priorities. Responsibilities include overseeing results-based planning, budgeting, and performance oversight, while identifying risks and implementing corrective actions. The officer will coordinate with African Union departments and Regional Economic Communities to support the implementation of Women, Peace and Security commitments. Additionally, the role involves supervising and supporting program staff to foster a high-performing and inclusive team culture. Quality assurance of workplans, reports, and knowledge products is essential, as is guiding monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability processes. The officer will also support resource mobilization and partnership management through effective design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and evidence development, while promoting compliance and high standards of documentation across the portfolio.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in international relations, peace and security, gender studies, public policy, human rights, development studies, program or project management, or a closely related field. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in program management and strategic planning is required, preferably within international or regional organizations focused on peace, security, governance, or gender equality in Africa. Demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and managing teams in multicultural environments is essential. Strong results-based management, monitoring, evaluation, and learning experience, including performance reporting and data-informed decision-making, is also required. Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills are necessary, along with proficiency in at least one African Union working language; fluency in English or French is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as international relations, peace and security, gender studies, public policy, human rights, development studies, or program/project management. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that candidates have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively contribute to the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in program management and strategic planning. This experience should preferably be within international or regional organizations that focus on peace, security, governance, or gender equality in Africa. The role requires a strong background in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and managing teams in politically sensitive and multicultural environments.

Languages:
Proficiency in at least one African Union working language is mandatory. Fluency in English or French is highly desirable, as these languages are commonly used in the context of the African Union and international relations. Strong communication skills in these languages will facilitate effective collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is restricted to valid passport-holding nationals of African Union member states. The role is a secondment to the African Union, and candidates must be prepared for a full background check as part of the recruitment process. An approved health certificate will be required prior to the commencement of the contract. The organization offers rewarding work within a renowned global organization, access to a network of professionals in humanitarian, peace, and development sectors, and eligibility for NORCAP membership and future assignments, subject to a successful performance review. Feedback will be provided to all applicants within four weeks after the closing date of the advertisement.