Head of Programme

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

• The organization was established to provide assistance to people forced to flee due to conflict and displacement. NRC has a coordination office located in Bamako, along with area offices in both the central and northern regions of Mali. The organization employs approximately 15,000 staff members and operates in 40 countries worldwide, delivering life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of individuals each year. NRC's mission is to help those affected by crises and to advocate for their rights, ensuring that they receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Job Overview:
The Head of Programme (HoP) is a senior management position responsible for overseeing the overall programmatic strategy across NRC's operations in Mali. This role involves ensuring that the organization provides timely and adequate technical inputs, contributing to the quality assurance of program implementation throughout the project cycle management (PCM). The HoP plays a crucial role in addressing immediate humanitarian needs while also developing programmatic strategies aimed at achieving durable solutions for individuals affected by displacement. The position requires a strong focus on cross-cutting programmatic information management, sound design of assessments, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring that the information collected is utilized to enhance ongoing projects. The HoP is also responsible for fundraising activities and external representation, working closely with the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director (CD).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Programme will have a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Developing and implementing the overall programmatic strategy for NRC in Mali, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and objectives.
• Providing leadership and guidance to Core Competence Specialists, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff, and Grants Management personnel.
• Participating as a member of the Country Management Group (CMG) to ensure compliance with NRC policies and procedures.
• Contributing to the development of the Country Strategy and Plan of Action.
• Ensuring quality control, monitoring, evaluation, and organizational learning within the program.
• Building the capacity of technical staff through training and mentorship.
• Representing NRC in various forums and meetings, advocating for the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees.
• Identifying funding opportunities and developing funding strategies and forecasts.
• Managing grants, including budget allocations and reporting to donors, ensuring compliance with donor standards. 1
• Promoting a holistic and needs-based approach to program development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior management position within a humanitarian or recovery context. They should have a proven track record of working in complex and volatile environments, demonstrating core competency expertise. Additionally, candidates must have documented results related to the responsibilities of the position and possess a strong understanding of their own leadership skills and profile. Fluency in both French and English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a relevant degree in a field related to humanitarian work, international development, or a similar area. Advanced degrees or specialized training in program management, humanitarian response, or related fields are highly desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have substantial experience in senior management roles, specifically within humanitarian or recovery contexts. This includes experience in program design and implementation, as well as familiarity with monitoring and evaluation processes. Candidates should also have experience in advocacy work, partnership-based programming, and government engagement, as well as a strong background in proposal development and donor compliance.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in both languages is essential for the role. Additional language skills relevant to the context of Mali may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role with a contract duration of 24 months, classified as Grade 11 in the NRC scale. The location of the position is Bamako, Mali. NRC encourages female candidates to apply and emphasizes a work culture that empowers all employees to share ideas and take responsibility. The organization offers opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as a supportive community committed to human dignity. Compensation and benefits details can be found in the job description.