Area Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that has been operational in Mali since 201

• With its National Office located in Bamako and four field offices in Gao, Ménaka, Timbuktu, and Mopti, NRC focuses on addressing the basic needs of individuals affected by violence and displacement. The organization is particularly active in sectors such as Education, Shelter, Protection from Violence, Information, Counseling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA), and WASH. NRC plays a crucial role in the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), which allows for a swift response to the multifaceted needs of displaced populations. The organization is dedicated to providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, operating in some of the world's most challenging environments. More information about NRC can be found on their official website and through various media showcasing their work in action.

Job Overview:
As an Area Manager, the primary responsibility is to ensure the effective and high-quality implementation of programs and projects across the designated geographical area. This role requires a solid understanding of risk management, support functions, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and access, which are essential for successful program execution. The Area Manager will facilitate an enabling environment for cash-based interventions, identify opportunities for market-based programs, and ensure NRC's active participation in local coordination platforms. The position also involves strengthening collaboration with local authorities, ensuring compliance with NRC policies, and maintaining effective communication between the Country Office and the Area Office. The Area Manager will oversee the integration of NRC's interventions, ensuring they align with the Country Strategy and adhere to humanitarian principles while engaging with relevant stakeholders to enhance access to intervention areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Area Manager will be responsible for a variety of duties, including but not limited to: providing an enabling environment for cash-based interventions, contributing to the identification of opportunities for market-based programs, ensuring NRC's participation in cash-based coordination platforms, and actively representing NRC in local forums and meetings. The role also involves strengthening collaboration with decentralized technical and administrative authorities, ensuring compliance with NRC policies, and facilitating clear communication between the Country Office and the Area Office. Additionally, the Area Manager will oversee the effective integration of NRC's interventions, ensuring coherence and alignment with the Country Strategy, and will work to strengthen NRC's access to intervention areas through engagement with stakeholders while adhering to humanitarian principles.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian and/or recovery programs, with at least 3 years in a senior management position. Proven experience in managing multi-sector programs in complex and volatile environments is essential, along with a demonstrated track record of achieving program objectives through effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and team leadership. Experience in cash and market-based programming, including risk management and compliance, is also required. Strong leadership and people management skills are necessary, as well as proven experience in stakeholder engagement and negotiation with authorities, donors, UN agencies, and humanitarian partners.

Educational Background:
The position requires a relevant educational background, typically a degree in a field related to humanitarian work, international development, or a similar area. Advanced degrees may be preferred, depending on the specific requirements of the organization and the complexity of the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience in humanitarian settings, particularly in managing programs in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Experience in remote management and supervision of teams in insecure environments is highly valued, as is familiarity with program start-up, scale-up, transition, handover, or exit processes. A strong understanding of integrated, multi-sector humanitarian programming and area-based approaches is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages such as Bambara, Fulfulde/Peulh, Songhai, and Tamasheq is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Mopti, Mali, with a contract duration of 12 months, which may be extended based on performance and organizational needs. The salary is classified as Grade 10 on NRC’s salary scale. NRC is committed to diversity and equal opportunities, ensuring a supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and innovation. The organization emphasizes safeguarding and expects all employees to contribute to a safe environment, treating everyone with respect and dignity, and adhering to a zero-tolerance policy against exploitation and abuse.