Background
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been a leading humanitarian actor in the response to the Syria crisis, in Syria and across the region, since 2012. Against a backdrop of conflict, socioeconomic and environmental deterioration, climate change and natural disasters, we provide emergency, transitional, early recovery and resilience programmes to people in need. We lead advocacy to promote unimpeded and sustained access to assistance for people across Syria and we call for increased humanitarian funding, resilience and early recovery support to alleviate the hardships of the Syrian people.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a Head of Programme Support Unit (HOPSU). This is a senior role that will focus on improving quality programming across multi-core competency projects, geographic areas, and thematic areas. They will oversee the cross-cutting thematic adviser functions of safe and inclusive programming (SIP) (protection mainstreaming), complaints and feedback mechanisms and partnerships, as well as the programme quality support functions of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Grants management.
With a strong focus on quality, this role assumes overall responsibility for the integration of cross-cutting themes of working in partnerships, safe programming and accountability. Additionally, they will guide the development and continuous evolution of effective grant management and support related to project cycle management (PCM), MEL, and partnerships.
The Programme Support Unit, led by the HOPSU, supports with programme quality and development of capacity on cross-cutting and programme support themes, working collaboratively with the core competency specialists, support managers, programme and area managers and regional advisers.
What you will do
The role will have some of the following responsibilities:
Provide programme support input to Country Strategy and Plan of Action.
Implementation and revision of the PSU improvement plan.
Development of strategies/ SOPs on cross-cutting themes, community feedback mechanisms, community engagement and accountability, PCM, and M&E, aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies
Manage performance and staff development of the Programme Support Unit.
Initiate the development and embedding of technical guidance documents/SOPs and tools relevant to the Programme Support Unit.
Support the effective functioning of the Grants Unit, including compliance, programme development and project cycle management processes.
Oversight of key Project Cycle Management (PCM) processes, training and support, and ensure accountability for grant opening and closure meetings at country level.
Ensure all staff are trained on PCM, safe programming and accountability principles.
Responsible for operational donor communication in coordination with the Grants Manager.
Strengthening accountability to beneficiaries and community engagement approaches through improving M&E processes and efficient functioning of the community helpline and complaints and feedback mechanism.
Responsible for NRC’s Syria learning and knowledge development.
Accountable for ensuring mainstreaming of SIP in programme design and implementation in line with NRC Protection Policy and guidelines. Oversee the integration of safe and inclusive programming minimum standards into routines, and development and roll-out of CO annual action plan and self-assessment tools.
Support the Safe and Inclusive Programming Advisor to maintain and develop internal and external referral mechanisms.
Oversee the Partnerships Manager on delivering the Partnership Strategy portfolio through creation of partnership management processes and approaches.
Contribute to lessons learnt and evidence-based programming in a systematic manner
Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.
What you will bring
University degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Social science, or the equivalent.
Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
Minimum 4 years’ experience in a senior programme and/or programme support position, with line management and responsibility for programme.
Experience of leading tasks and processes successfully, managing and prioritizing a high and diverse workload.
Experience in MEAL systems and approaches, and protection & accountability mechanisms and frameworks.
Experience of working on, coordinating or leading partnership implementation.
Ability to drive and inspire the PSU to achieve set goals.
Fluency in English, both written and verbal
What we offer:
Duty station: Damascus, Syria.
Contract: 12 months Renewal based on funding and performance.
Travel: 10% within areas of operation
Salary/benefits: Grade 10 National or International
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.
Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC
Important information about the application process
Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.
For internal candidates, please use your official email address when applying.
Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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.
If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.recruitment@nrc.nowith the job title as the subject line.
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.
NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.
Watch this short video to see NRC in action.
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's operations in Syria here.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.
We protect displaced people and support them as they build a new future. We started our relief efforts after World War Two. Today, we work in both new and protracted crises across 40 countries. We specialise in six areas: food security, education, shelter, legal assistance, protection from violence, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
We stand up for people forced to flee. NRC is a determined advocate for displaced people. We promote and defend displaced people's rights and dignity in local communities, with national governments and in the international arena. NRC’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva is a global leader in monitoring, reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.
We work with partners across the world through NORCAP, our global provider of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding expertise. NORCAP collaborates with local, national and international partners on finding sustainable solutions to meet the needs of people at risk.
Around 15,000 humanitarians work with the NRC. Most of us are hired locally to work in the field, and a small number are based at our head office in Oslo. Many of our colleagues were once themselves forced to flee their homes.
NRC assisted almost 9.1 million people worldwide in 2024, and with your support, we can help even more.
In order to meet the needs of more than 120 million displaced people worldwide, we need to unite forces across sectors and work together as one team. Through mutual partnerships we are dedicated to finding unique solutions for people who have been forced to flee, helping them build a sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
To find out how you can support our work, please visit nrc.no/corporate or send an e-mail to corporate@nrc.no.
