Background
The NRC Central and West Africa region includes operations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. All countries are experiencing a deterioration of the security situation, increasing humanitarian needs and displacements due to conflict.ย Aid workers continue to be affected by security incidents across the region.ย Shrinking humanitarian space also places aid workers at a greater risk.ย The expansion of areas controlled by NSAG and challenged application of International Humanitarian Law by state security forces contributes to risks faced by communities as well as NRCโs staff.
Located in Dakar, Senegal, the Central and West Africa Regional Office (CWARO) oversees the country programmes in the region, and provides strategic guidance and oversight across core programme, advocacy and support functions.
NRCโs programmes and advocacy support families affected by conflict in -ย Education, Livelihoods and Food Security, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Protection from Violence, Shelter and Settlements, and WASH.ย
The Regional Programme Department, based in Dakar and managed by the Regional Programme Director, is responsible for the strategic development of NRC programming in the region by maximizing the support to and the development of COs as well as by exploring and creating synergies among COs. The Regional Programme Department is focused on research, policies, guidance & procedures, evidence and learning, capacity building, programme quality and donor relations with regional donors and non-traditional donors. The department includes a M&E unit, a Core Competency Unit, a Thematic Unit, and a Programme Development and Support Unit.
The Regional Head of Core Competencies Unit/Regional CC Adviser is a dual role, which also acts as a Regional CC Adviser in relation to their own area of technical expertise.ย It is anticipated that the team leadership will take c.15% of working time, and the strategic lead c.15% of working time, leaving 70% of working time for the regional CC/Thematic adviser role.
The Regional Head of Core Competencies and Regional CC/ Adviser is responsible for leading on identification and utilisation of programmatic synergies across CCs and development areas through the integrated programme approach. The Regional Head of Unit leads, and line manages a team and personally acts as a Regional CC Adviser, providing strategic advice, support and capacity building to country offices in the region in relation to their own specialist technical field.
The CC team are part of a technical matrix structure and are required to work collaboratively with colleagues in both the technicalย and the operational management structures in country offices, and the regional management group.ย They also have a technical accountability to the global programme function, policy, strategy, and direction as determined through the Head Office level of NRC.ย Staff within the team will be expected to contribute to global development initiatives as part of the wider community of specialists.ย Collaborative working with colleagues within the wider regional programme team, at HO and in other Regions is essential to effectiveness in the role and maximising the shared learning across NRC.
Role and responsibilities
As Regional Head of Unit โ c. 30% working time
ย As Regional CC Adviser โ c.70% working time
Responsible for ensuring compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures in relation to the core competency/thematic while contributing to the development of policies, strategies, tools and new approaches with a focus on innovation and piloting. Responsible of supporting the development of country/regional core competence strategies and implementation plans. Contribute to global development initiatives within own core competency/thematic field. Identify and support regional partnerships and funding opportunities. Responsible of provide strategic advice and technical support to the Country Offices in the region on relevant core competency or cross-cutting issues by providing capacity development across Country Offices in the region and the Regional Office. Ensure that own CC based programming approaches contribute to integrated programming and analysis and that these interventions are measured Contribute to the development and delivery of induction and training provision of CO staff in relation to own core competency, working collaboratively with L&D and other colleagues.ย Contribute to recruitment interviews for technical staff.ย May provide some technical supervision to technical staff in Country Offices. Responsible for ensuring that best practices within the CC area are identified, documented and disseminated both within the region and beyond. Responsible for the alignment of the programmatic areas in the M&E and PCM systems in relation to own CC, working in partnership with M&E staff.ย Responsible for supporting and monitoring country programme compliance with the Programme Policy and respective quality assurances in relation to the core competency. Responsible for identification, development and maintenance of relationships with relevant stakeholders (e.g., donors, UN agencies, NGOs, research- and educational institutions, private sector) related to programmes in general and more specifically as related to NRCโs Core Competencies. Work in partnership with the regional and country office advocacy leads to identify and develop regional advocacy issues related to the core competence and relevant cross-cutting issues.Professional Competencies
Substantial documented experience working within one of NRC Core field, including in-depth knowledge and expertise of this CC Extensive experience in programming in complex and volatile contexts Experience in strategic planning, including strategic approaches to programme development Experience of programme quality assessments, programme development and delivery Understanding of and commitment to organisational learning, and the role and contribution of M&E to quality management and development Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts, with a preference for previous experience in the Central and West Africa Region Previous experience of managing staff teams, including during periods of change, would be useful Understanding of, and commitment to working collaboratively with technical and operational colleagues within a matrix structure, including capacity building Experience of delivering learning and development as part of quality improvement and capacity building Fluency in English and French, both written and verbal Understanding of and commitment to integrated programming approachesAccess the full job description here: JD Regional Head CC CWARO June 2023.docx
What we offer;
24-monthย contract duration with possibility of extension. Grade 10ย in NRCโs Salary Scale. NRC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. NRC is an equal opportunities employer. In selecting our staff, 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.Deadline for application: 8th July 2023
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our workย culture that empowersย every employee to share ideas and take responsibility:ย At NRC, we think outside the box. We encourage ideas andย give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face.ย You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative
To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase iconย โI am an employeeโย on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRCโs internal career site
Kindly send any questions that you may have in relation to the application process to:ย cwa.recruitment@nrc.no.ย Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Please check your application status on your NRC application profile
This position open to internal candidates in the Central and West Africa (CWA)Region. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We work in crises across more than 31 countries, providing emergencies and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. We stand up for people forced to flee, advocating their rights. NORCAP, our global provider of expertise, helps improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crises. NRC also runs the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country. Employment with NRC may lead to employment in or deployment to Regions, Countries, Areas or Offices that may be host to considerable health, safety and security risks. NRC takes this very seriously and we have procedures in place to reduce known risks, but will never be able to take away all risks. NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.