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 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the Joint Internal Displacement Profiling Service (JIPS) are merging. We are seeking an experienced and strategic Programme Manager to play a pivotal role in driving the successful integration of the two organisations while ensuring excellence in programme delivery, quality, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities or duties

You will be responsible for leading the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of programmes across the full programme cycle, ensuring alignment with IDMC-JIPS/NRC organisational standards, approved programme designs and donor requirements. You will also provide guidance to managers and technical teams to ensure high-quality, compliant programme delivery; strengthen programme management systems and technical standards; and foster collaboration with partners, donors and other key stakeholders to support successful implementation and enhance programme impact.

What you will do:

Strategy

• Contribute to strategy development and support its implementation.
• Coordinate the development of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework & tools linked to the strategy.

Programme Quality & Management

• Review, further develop, and maintain programme standards (including technical specifications) and tools for quality project & programme implementation;
• Ensure the application of quality standards in project implementation through effective systems, tools, team capacity support and quality control.
• Develop project specific MEAL plans in alignment with the strategic MEAL framework
• Oversee the effective implementation of MEAL processes and tools, including post-activity and project learning;
• Ensure the latest, relevant learning and best practices are incorporated into standards, tools and team capacity building efforts and support innovation efforts.
• Ensure that projects are effectively implemented in compliance with donor requirements, regulations and NRC policies and procedures; including timely reporting and appropriate use of organisational and donor visibility guidelines and tools.
• Help ensure adherence of colleagues to Project Cycle Management Guidelines & Processes including the development and oversight of programme work plans, stakeholder engagement plans, HR plans, procurement plans, MEAL plans, and budget allocation plans (budget forecasting).
• Oversee budget monitoring and follow up
• Work closely with procurement to ensure effective contract management of third-party suppliers

External Coordination & Business Development

• Liaise with third party vendors to ensure the timely delivery of project deliverables
• Contribute to the identification and development of new partnerships, in line with organisational priorities and represent IDMC-JIPS in stakeholder engagement activities as needed
• Maintain stakeholder engagement tracking tools and facilitate prioritisation exercises
• Identify opportunities to support growth and programme development, including funding opportunities, strategic partnerships and collaborations.
• Regularly liaise with donors to provide project specific updates and/or facilitate new business development
• Oversee the development and submission of high-quality concept notes and proposals to donors

People Planning & Management

• Support identification of team capacity development needs and efforts linked to effective project management.
• Contribute to the development of programme HR plans and job descriptions (JDs) and support recruitment & onboarding processes.
• Ensure staff under direct line management are clear on their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities through the effective use of NRC people management tools and workflows.
• Ensure direct reports’ adherence to donor regulations and NRC's policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct and PSEA standards and obligations.
• Nurture a positive and collaborative team environment of mutual respect, peer learning, and creativity.

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

What you will bring:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following: Social Sciences, Humanitarian/Development studies, Information Management, Management or a related field: A first-level university degree in combination with sufficient additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Fluency in English (required)
• Fluency in French, Spanish or Arabic would be an advantage
• Skills and experience in project/program planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation.
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/accountability/compliance.
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality reports.
• Excellent analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Strong experience coaching teams.
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills.
• Willingness to continually learn and enhance standards and tools accordingly.

Experience needed

• Minimum 10 years’ professional work experience within international humanitarian/development sector.
• At least 8 years' prior experience in a project/programme management or coordination role.
• Extensive experience in representation and networking.

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

What we offer:

• Duty station: Preference for Brussels, Belgium. However, other locations on a similar time zone (CET +/- 3 hours) where NRC has an office (except for Geneva) or EOR contracting options available may be considered for the right candidate.
• Contract: Fixed, 1 year renewable.
• Travel: Up to 30%
• Salary/benefits: Grade 9 on NRC’s Resident salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions.
• 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.

• Contribute to strategy development and support its implementation.
• Coordinate the development of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework & tools linked to the strategy.
• Review, further develop, and maintain programme standards (including technical specifications) and tools for quality project & programme implementation;
• Ensure the application of quality standards in project implementation through effective systems, tools, team capacity support and quality control.
• Develop project specific MEAL plans in alignment with the strategic MEAL framework
• Oversee the effective implementation of MEAL processes and tools, including post-activity and project learning;
• Ensure the latest, relevant learning and best practices are incorporated into standards, tools and team capacity building efforts and support innovation efforts.
• Ensure that projects are effectively implemented in compliance with donor requirements, regulations and NRC policies and procedures; including timely reporting and appropriate use of organisational and donor visibility guidelines and tools.
• Help ensure adherence of colleagues to Project Cycle Management Guidelines & Processes including the development and oversight of programme work plans, stakeholder engagement plans, HR plans, procurement plans, MEAL plans, and budget allocation plans (budget forecasting).
• Oversee budget monitoring and follow up
• Work closely with procurement to ensure effective contract management of third-party suppliers
• Liaise with third party vendors to ensure the timely delivery of project deliverables
• Contribute to the identification and development of new partnerships, in line with organisational priorities and represent IDMC-JIPS in stakeholder engagement activities as needed
• Maintain stakeholder engagement tracking tools and facilitate prioritisation exercises
• Identify opportunities to support growth and programme development, including funding opportunities, strategic partnerships and collaborations.
• Regularly liaise with donors to provide project specific updates and/or facilitate new business development
• Oversee the development and submission of high-quality concept notes and proposals to donors
• Support identification of team capacity development needs and efforts linked to effective project management.
• Contribute to the development of programme HR plans and job descriptions (JDs) and support recruitment & onboarding processes.
• Ensure staff under direct line management are clear on their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities through the effective use of NRC people management tools and workflows.
• Ensure direct reports’ adherence to donor regulations and NRC's policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct and PSEA standards and obligations.
• Nurture a positive and collaborative team environment of mutual respect, peer learning, and creativity.

• Skills and experience in project/program planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation.
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/accountability/compliance.
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality reports.
• Excellent analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Strong experience coaching teams.
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills.
• Willingness to continually learn and enhance standards and tools accordingly.

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following: Social Sciences, Humanitarian/Development studies, Information Management, Management or a related field: A first-level university degree in combination with sufficient additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Fluency in English (required)
• Fluency in French, Spanish or Arabic would be an advantage