Job Description

What we are looking for

NRC is looking for an Area Manager, North to join the Iran mission. The role holder will be responsible for overseeing NRC’s operations across the northern area of Iran, covering five provinces and a broad portfolio of programmes and support functions.

The role provides strategic leadership for NRC activities, ensuring alignment with NRC’s Country Strategy, policies, donor commitments, and humanitarian principles. The position is also responsible for ensuring effective area-level coordination, operational management, and representation with provincial authorities, humanitarian actors, and relevant stakeholders. The Area Manager leads integrated area operations across programme and support functions, as well as leads emergency preparedness and response efforts.

If you are an experienced and seasoned leader with a background in developing and integrating distinctive strategies; with strong analytical expertise and high integrity; and strong interpersonal, networking, and stakeholder management skills and able collaborate with others while building sound, constructive relationships, then this is the role for you!

What you will do

• People leadership and line management (performance management, workforce planning, recruitment, induction, development, and duty of care).
• Project implementation (including master support budget and coordinating input for donor proposals and reports).
• Needs assessment, emergency response development, and response plans implementation, including cash-based interventions and market-based programmes.
• Resource management, within the allocated project budgets and thematic strategies.
• NRC representation and networking
• Capacity building and training of staff.
• Staff safety and security responsibility.
• We highly encourage you to learn more about the role: please review the full Job Description here

What you will bring

• Senior management experience in a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Access negotiations with local authorities expertise.
• Staff management experience.
• Complex and volatile context exposure.
• English fluency, both written and verbal.

What makes this position attractive?

• NRC started operations in Iran in 2012, and continues to operate in a complex operational environment.
• NRC Iran has grown to become the largest international NGO, currently operating in ten provinces across the country.
• In Iran North, with the area office in Tehran and field office in Mashad, NRC operates across five provinces together with our partners and in close coordination with the local authorities.
• NRC delivers essential services to refugees and vulnerable Iranians to improve living conditions. When disasters strike, we expand our programmes to help, and our emergency response team assists people to recover quickly.
• We prioritise cash and market-based assistance and provide services in Protection, including legal aid, Education, and integrated Shelter and Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene
• NRC is positioned in Iran as a leading principled humanitarian actor. We promote the safety and well-being of Afghan refugees and foster environment that upholds Afghan’s rights and safeguards their dignity.
• NRC supports refugees, as well as displaced and disaster affected populations. The Islamic Republic of Iran hosts one of the largest and most protracted refugee crises in the world for the past 40 years, with over 4.4 million Afghans living in Iran today, with many third or fourth generation refugees.
• In addition to required protection services and life-saving assistance, priorities include reinforcing national education infrastructure for both Afghans and host communities.
• NRC contributes to the development of policy, aiming to protect the rights of the displaced and calls for increased humanitarian funding and engagement on processes that will generate structural changes in protection and assistance in the region.
• NRC co-leads several technical inter-agency working groups and provides capacity building to humanitarian partners in country. To complement programs, NRC Iran established an advocacy unit to develop joint messages and initiatives amongst INGOs to improve rights of the displaced.
• This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that responds to the diverse needs, priorities, and concerns raised by beneficiary communities.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• Learn more about NRC’s operation in Iran here

What we offer

• Tehran, Iran duty station.
• 12-month contract duration, with the possibility of extension based on performance, requirements, and funding.
• 15% travel, approximately.
• Grade 10 in NRC’s Salary Scale, with accompanying terms and conditions. NRC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, 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.
• Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates:- To apply log in with your official NRC email address or click on Opportunity Marketplace
• When creating your profile, include your full name as per your passport
• Apply by completing all the system-required fields of your experience, employment history, and education in your application.
• Ensure to attach your latest CV
• Submit your application and CV in English
• Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. NRC is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role and you meet most, but not all the requirements, we encourage you to apply anyway.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered.
• Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• For any queries, please email us at aela.recruitment@nrc.no with “Area Manager North Iran” as the subject line. This email address is for queries only. Applications will not be accepted via email.
• Please note that NRC does not request any fees in connection with its recruitment processes.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action

For the past 40 years, Iran has hosted one of the largest and most protracted refugee crises in the world. At least 4.5 million Afghans reside in Iran, making it the largest refugee hosting country worldwide. Despite the inclusive policies and support from the international community, Afghans face challenges finding and retaining a stable income. Iran is also prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, which can lead to displacement and destruction.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• Do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• Be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC here