Regional Head of Operational Support

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization founded to protect the rights of displaced and affected people during crises. Established to deliver high-quality programs, NRC aims to support individuals forced to flee their homes, helping them rebuild their lives and establish a new future. The organization provides immediate humanitarian assistance, prevents further displacement, and contributes to durable solutions. NRC operates across both new and protracted crises in 40 countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, and Mozambique, with a notable exit from Tanzania in 202

• The organization has a simplified structure with a leaner Head Office in Oslo, complemented by Representation Offices and smaller Regional Teams. Global support structures have been established for functions previously managed by Regional Offices, including Finance, Risk & Compliance, People & Organisation, Media and Communication, and PCM & Grants Management. The Regional Team and Country Offices access support capacity from these Global Resource Pools, which gather staff in a common team organized and managed at the Head Office to improve efficiency, equity, access, and flexibility. In Nairobi, several members of different pools are physically located in the regional office, where the Regional Head of Operational Support ensures streamlined hosting arrangements and a conducive working environment for all.

Job Overview:
The Regional Head of Operational Support is tasked with ensuring an integrated approach to operational management, which is crucial for supporting the quality and timeliness of NRC's response in the region. This role is responsible for enabling support needs across various countries in areas such as HR, Risk and Compliance, Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS), Finance, ICT, Logistics, and Administration, ensuring compliance with NRC policies. The Regional Head plays a vital role in holding country offices accountable for their performance, ensuring they meet operational standards and deliver on strategic objectives. This position also ensures a conducive working environment for all teams, including members of different global teams physically located in the Nairobi regional office. As a member of the Regional Management Team and the Global Support Advisory Group (GSAG) led by the deputy SG/CFO, the Regional Head of Operational Support is integral to the organization's operational success.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Head of Operational Support include ensuring that support functions within the regional team operate efficiently, fostering a collaborative and effective working environment. The role involves holding country offices accountable for their operational progress by leveraging reports, analyses, and compliance data from NRC’s global resource pools. The Regional Head will support country directors and heads of support, as well as HAS Managers, with capacity building and problem-solving related to operational challenges. Additionally, the position requires providing advice and mentorship to country office operational support teams, fostering capacity building and skills development. Participation in global discussions on planning and strategy related to support functions is also a key responsibility. The Regional Head will review finance, HR, and logistics requirements related to regional grants in collaboration with the Global PCM and Grants Management facility. Furthermore, the role includes streamlining hosting arrangements for members of global pools physically located in the regional office and ensuring a conducive working environment. The postholder may also act on behalf of the Regional Director upon request, including leading relevant Crisis Management Teams. It is important to note that the responsibilities outlined are a snapshot, and candidates are encouraged to refer to the full job description for comprehensive details.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant leadership and management experience within the humanitarian field. Candidates should possess relevant higher education in a related field such as business administration, management, finance, or other suitable education. A background and experience in managing support functions, including finance, HR, and logistics, are essential, with additional value placed on experience in security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and safety. Proven results related to the position’s responsibilities are necessary, along with relevant experience overseeing Finance, Logistics, or other support functions. Knowledge of one's leadership skills and profile is also required. Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have relevant higher education in a related field such as business administration, management, finance, or other suitable education. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of operational support in humanitarian contexts and for effectively managing the various support functions required in the role.

Experience:
The position demands a minimum of 10 years of relevant leadership and management experience within the humanitarian field. This extensive experience is necessary to navigate the complexities of operational support in challenging environments and to effectively lead teams in achieving organizational objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the context in East and Southern Africa is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to operate effectively within the region. While English is the primary language required, any additional languages relevant to the operational context may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Nairobi, Kenya. The salary and benefits are based on grade 11 on NRC’s either international or national salary scale. The duration of the contract is 2 years, with options for national or international employment, including a full family package for international candidates. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative ideas and responsibility among employees at all levels, providing numerous opportunities for individuals to be heard and take initiative. The application process requires candidates to submit their most updated English CV and a cover letter, with specific instructions for internal candidates. Incomplete applications or those submitted in other languages will not be considered. The position is open for both international and national candidates, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.