Area Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. Established in 1946, NRC operates in over 40 countries worldwide, employing around 15,000 staff members. The organization focuses on providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of people each year, emphasizing values such as dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability in its operations. NRC is committed to creating a positive working culture that prioritizes safety, well-being, and a sense of belonging for all employees. The organization has a strict policy against exploitation and abuse, ensuring that all staff adhere to these principles in their work.

Job Overview:
The Area Manager position at NRC in Venezuela is a critical role responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of programs and projects in areas affected by recent earthquakes. The successful candidate will manage a team of directly reporting staff, ensuring that performance management processes are in place and aligned with the country strategy. The Area Manager will also be responsible for workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction, and development, ensuring the Duty of Care for all staff members. As a member of the Country Management Group (CMG), the Area Manager will assess needs, develop, and implement emergency responses, ensuring optimal resource utilization. This role includes managing the Area Office, ensuring that both programmatic and support functions are effectively structured, and overseeing staff security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and safety, including conducting security risk assessments. The Area Manager will ensure that all projects and programs are implemented in accordance with NRC's standards and donor requirements, making this a pivotal position in the organization's response to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Area Manager will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Line management of directly reporting staff, including conducting performance management processes and supporting staff in achieving their goals.
• Overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction, and development, ensuring that all staff members are well-supported and cared for.
• Participating as a member of the Country Management Group (CMG) to contribute to strategic decision-making.
• Assessing the needs of the affected areas and developing and implementing NRC's emergency response strategies.
• Managing the Area Office, ensuring that internal structures for both programs and support functions are effectively established and maintained.
• Ensuring the safety and security of all staff, including conducting security risk assessments for current and potential new areas of intervention.
• Overseeing the implementation of all active projects and programs in the area, ensuring compliance with NRC's standards and donor requirements.
• Collaborating with other teams and stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis.
• Reporting on progress and challenges to senior management and making recommendations for improvements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Area Manager position must possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in roles such as Senior Project Manager, Field Manager, or Area Manager within a humanitarian context.
• Previous experience in emergency response, particularly during the start-up phase of operations.
• Proven ability to work effectively in complex and volatile environments.
• Documented results related to the responsibilities of the position, demonstrating effective leadership and management skills.
• Fluency in both Spanish and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Context-related skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the humanitarian sector.
• A university degree in Social Sciences, Economic Sciences, Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in capacity building and developing management teams, as well as leading large teams with favorable outcomes.
• Knowledge and experience in strategic direction, budget planning and management, and project management. 1
• Familiarity with working with donors and cooperation agencies is highly desirable, and previous experience in Latin America is a plus.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Area Manager position includes a university degree in fields such as Social Sciences, Economic Sciences, Administration, or similar disciplines. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and effectively managing programs and teams in challenging environments.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in roles such as Senior Project Manager, Field Manager, or Area Manager within the humanitarian sector. This experience should include working in emergency response situations, particularly during the initial phases of program implementation, and managing teams in complex and volatile contexts. Documented results related to the responsibilities of the position are also necessary to demonstrate the candidate's effectiveness in similar roles.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is mandatory for this position, with both written and verbal communication skills being essential. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of working with diverse populations and stakeholders in humanitarian settings.

Additional Notes:
The Area Manager position is based in Caracas, Venezuela, and offers a national or international contract for a duration of 6 months, with the possibility of extension. It is important to note that Caracas is classified as a Non-Family Duty Station for international contracts. The role may require travel of up to 40%. The salary and benefits are based on NRC's regional salary scale, specifically at grade 10, along with accompanying terms and conditions. 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 provides employees at all levels with opportunities to contribute ideas and take responsibility.