Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, emergency food security, legal assistance, and water,sanitation and hygiene sectors. The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 5000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. In addition, NRC runs one of the world’s largest standby rosters -NORCAP, with 650 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when a crisis occurs.

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

Responsibilities or duties

• Ensure that support functions within the regional team operate efficiently, fostering a collaborative and effective working environment.
• Hold country offices accountable for progress on their operations by leveraging reports, analyses, and compliance data from NRC’s global resource and pools.
• Support country directors and heads of support, HAS Managers with capacity building and problem-solving related to operational challenges.
• Provide advice and mentorship to country office operational support teams, fostering capacity building and skills development.
• Participate in global discussions on planning and strategy relating to support functions.
• Review of finance, HR and logistics requirements related to regional grants in collaboration with the Global PCM and Grants Management facility.
• Streamline the hosting arrangements for members of global pools physically located in the regional office and ensure a conducive working environment.
• The postholder, upon request, can act on behalf of the Regional Director including leading relevant Crisis Management Teams.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Professional competencies

• Relevant higher education in a related field such as business administration, management, finance or other suitable education
• Background and experience in managing support functions: finance, HR and logistics. It is an added value to have experience from working with security and safety
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Essential: Fluency in English both written and verbal
• Knowledge of the context in East and Southern Africa is an asset.
• Experience with start-ups, exit and organisational change processes
• Ability to collaborate effectively with remote teams and stakeholders

Behavioural competencies:

• Build meaningful relations
• I communicate clearly and transparently
• I treat all people with respect
• I work collaboratively with partners and internal stakeholders
• Act with integrity
• I base my action and good judgement assuring necessary change
• I act as a role model for our principles and values
• Empower people
• I delegate and give feedback that allows people to grow
• I set clear expectations and direction
• I challenge and support my team to accomplish shared goals
• Deliver results
• I always look for the best solution for the people we serve
• I prioritize and plan enabling my team to achieve results
• I am accountable and take responsibility for my actions and our results

Experience needed

• Minimum 10 years of relevant leadership/management experience within the humanitarian field
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Relevant experience with overseeing Finance, Logistics or other support functions will be an asset.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

• Ensure that support functions within the regional team operate efficiently, fostering a collaborative and effective working environment.
• Hold country offices accountable for progress on their operations by leveraging reports, analyses, and compliance data from NRC’s global resource and pools.
• Support country directors and heads of support, HAS Managers with capacity building and problem-solving related to operational challenges.
• Provide advice and mentorship to country office operational support teams, fostering capacity building and skills development.
• Participate in global discussions on planning and strategy relating to support functions.
• Review of finance, HR and logistics requirements related to regional grants in collaboration with the Global PCM and Grants Management facility.
• Streamline the hosting arrangements for members of global pools physically located in the regional office and ensure a conducive working environment.
• The postholder, upon request, can act on behalf of the Regional Director including leading relevant Crisis Management Teams.

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of the context in East and Southern Africa is an asset.
• Experience with start-ups, exit and organisational change processes
• Ability to collaborate effectively with remote teams and stakeholders
• Build meaningful relations
• I communicate clearly and transparently
• I treat all people with respect
• I work collaboratively with partners and internal stakeholders
• Act with integrity
• I base my action and good judgement assuring necessary change
• I act as a role model for our principles and values
• Empower people
• I delegate and give feedback that allows people to grow
• I set clear expectations and direction
• I challenge and support my team to accomplish shared goals
• Deliver results
• I always look for the best solution for the people we serve
• I prioritize and plan enabling my team to achieve results
• I am accountable and take responsibility for my actions and our results

• Relevant higher education in a related field such as business administration, management, finance or other suitable education
• Background and experience in managing support functions: finance, HR and logistics. It is an added value to have experience from working with security and safety
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile