The Area Operations Manager Panama leads the day-to-day operational oversight of the designated Area Office in Panama by coordinating programme implementation and ensuring compliant, high-quality support services. The role drives for the achievement of key programme objectives, addressing operational bottlenecks, maintains the area delivery of services, and escalates risks to country leadership to ensure high quality and cost-effective programme/project implementation within the area operations.
Generic responsabilities:
Line management responsibilities for directly reporting staff. This includes the:
Performance management process; setting clear goals aligned to country strategy and priorities, and to follow up and support staffโs achievement.ย
Responsible for key processes as workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction and development and ensure Duty of Care for own staff.
Act a member of the Country Management Group (CMG) representing the area of operations and chair the Area Management Group.
Collaborate with the programme unit at the country office to ensure that area-specifics are embedded in the core competencies and country strategy and Plan of Action.ย Support the development of concept notes, project proposals and budget development to scale-up response activities
Contribute to the development and monitor area office budget, donor proposals and reports, in compliance with contractual commitments and global guidelines.
Conduct needs assessment, when relevant, and implement emergency response activities in the area in close coordination with the line manager and the country office programme team.
Ensure optimal use of resources within the allocated budgets and strategies in compliance with donor requirements, organisational procedures, and national laws.ย
Coordinateย the capacity building and skill development of the area office staff, partners, and contingent workers.
Promote for the organisationโs standards on health, safety, wellbeing, and duty of care; and collaborate with the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) and Human Resources (HR) teams on information sharing, policies and procedures implementation, awareness raising, and capacity building.
Promote the rights of Internally Displaced People/returnees in line with the country advocacy strategy. Contribute to advocacy initiatives at area level.ย
Ensure compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures, and a specific responsibility for the area offices contextualised policies and procedures
Specific responsabilities:
Organise grants opening and closure meetings for the area office in coordination with the country office programme and support relevant staff.
Represent the organisation externally at the local level in the area and build professional networks to promote NRC as delegated by the Head of Operations and Country Director.
With the support of the Country Office management teams, contextualize, adapt and implement SOPs and procedures to ensure the effective provision of assistance within designated area.ย
Ensure work and development plans are completed by all staff members in the field office area of operations and performance feedback sessions are conducted on regular basis as per NRC global standards.
Coordinate the area specific periodic reporting to the Country Management Group. Provide analysis and escalate high risk areas as needed.ย
Ensure the timely, legal, and ethical termination of the NRC mission in Panama by December 31, 2026, overseeing the complete liquidation of programs, human resources, assets, and legal liabilities, in strict compliance with Panamanian regulations and NRC policies. Manage and ensure the responsible and confidential handover or archiving of all asylum and legal assistance caseloads, ensuring data protection protocols are strictly followed in accordance with NRC and national legal frameworks before the mission closure date
Carry out any other tasks relevant to the area office as delegated by the line manager.
ย
Generic Professional Competencies
Minimum 3 years of experience in a Senior Project and team Management role, preferably within a humanitarian/recovery context.
Bachelorโs degree in Political Sciences, Social Studies, Business Administration, or any other relevant field.
Proven work experience in highly volatile and insecure context.
Fluency in Spanish and English, both written and verbal.
ย
Context-Related Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
Experience in implementing and managing cash-based interventions and market-based programmes.
Knowledge of the context in Panama.
Experience with start-up, exit or similar and hard-to-reach contexts.
Experience liaising with multiple stakeholders including government, donors, UN and NGO partners a priority
Knowledge of the circumstances, needs and challenges displacement and conflict-affected host community, returnee and IDPs faceย
Valid driving license.