Job Description

NORCAP works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crisis and climate change. We do this by providing expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding partners, because we believe working together is the best way to reduce needs, risks and vulnerability over time. We seek and promote more effective ways of working at the global level and in the field. NORCAP’s aim is not only to reduce needs, but also to create choice and opportunity for vulnerable people. NORCAP works with and through our partners to improve aid in two complementary ways:

We provide targeted expertise to strengthen our partners’ response.

We collaborate with partners to develop solutions to un‑met gaps and challenges.

In line with our strategy, NORCAP is developing an Emergency Response Roster consisting of highly experienced, field-oriented specialists who can deploy rapidly to complex emergencies and provide operational surge support, normally for 3–6 months.

The roster is designed to provide timely humanitarian surge support to UN agencies responding to sudden onset crises and humanitarian emergencies. Specialists in the roster will provide complementary, sequenced, support at country and field level in crises, based on identified operational needs.

Key characteristics of the specialists in the Emergency Response Roster:

• Ready to deploy within ≤14 days
• General good health and able to operate in complex and high-risk environments
• Have extensive experience from UN or inter-agency operations
• Contribute to operational impact at country and field level.
• Be flexible and agile

The Humanitarian Coordination specialist will Provide operational coordination support at country and sub-national level in sudden-onset and complex emergencies by strengthening inter-agency coordination mechanisms, facilitating collective operational decision-making, and supporting effective field-level response structures.

Humanitarian Coordination Specialists (HCS) support partners to strengthen operational coordination at country and sub-national level, working across UN agencies, government counterparts, national and international NGOs, coordination mechanisms and other relevant response actors.

Disclaimer:

Please note that inclusion in the emergency roster is not a permanent position and does not guarantee assignment with NORCAP. To be a part of the roster indicates a higher level of readiness and suitability for rapid emergency response deployments.

A core function of the role is to promote inclusive and effective coordination between relevant response actors, including national and local actors.

The HCS may also support the development of response strategies, operational plans, coordination procedures, preparedness and contingency arrangements, and mechanisms for monitoring response priorities.

The role is time-bound and should strengthen existing partner and coordination capacity, with a clear focus on transition and handover.

General Responsibilities (The specific responsibilities will be different for each assignment, based on the needs and the context of the response)

Operational coordination

• Support and strengthen cluster, sector, inter-sector/inter-cluster and other relevant humanitarian coordination structures at national and sub-national level
• Facilitate operational meetings and coordination forums
• Support coordinated response planning and prioritisation based on identified humanitarian needs and operational gaps
• Strengthen information-sharing systems among responders
• Facilitate coordination with local authorities and partners
• Represent the partner in relevant humanitarian coordination forums and meetings, where delegated by the partner
• Support the development of coordination strategies through consultative processes with relevant stakeholders
• Support transition from surge to sustained response capacity, with transition and handover planning initiated from the outset of the assignment

Emergency response support

• Support rapid needs and gap analysis and translate findings into operational priorities and coordinated action
• Identify operational challenges, gaps and bottlenecks and facilitate collective solutions and follow-up
• Contribute to preparedness and contingency planning
• Support alignment between operational priorities and relevant inter-agency humanitarian response plans and frameworks, including the Humanitarian Response Plan and/or Refugee Response Plan where applicable
• Support response monitoring and adaptation of operational priorities as the emergency evolves

Field engagement

• Engage directly with operational actors and ensure field realities inform coordination and decision-making

Find more details about the emergency response core pool, and the roles and responsibilities of the humanitarian coordination specialist here

Minimum required Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of international humanitarian experience
• Minimum 3 international humanitarian missions working in complex emergency settings, high-risk and hardship environments at coordination/management level
• Recent operational emergency experience, preferably within the last five years
• Prior UN or inter-agency experience. Experience with multiple UN agencies will be an added value.

Language Requirements:

• Mandatory Full professional proficiency in English, and at least one of French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish

Other requirements

• Proven experience with Humanitarian coordination systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience of Cluster architecture and AoR structures
• Demonstrated understanding and application of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC)
• Demonstrated experience with Inter-agency coordination processes
• Demonstrated experience with emergency response planning, prioritisation and operational decision-making
• Demonstrated experience with operational field coordination and/or sub-national coordination
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder processes, build consensus, manage competing operational priorities and influence actors without direct line authority
• Ability to use humanitarian information, needs assessments and operational analysis to support collective prioritisation and decision-making
• Knowledge of protection mainstreaming
• Experience engaging national and local actors in humanitarian coordination processes

What We Offer

• In recognition of your expertise and contributions, we provide the following benefits and opportunities:
• Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation
• Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals
• A dedicated Staff Care Unit
• Salary and benefits in accordance with NORCAP´s framework for international assignments

Our Values & Commitment

NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

All NRC employees are expected to act in accordance with the organisation's values. Being dedicated, innovative, inclusive, and accountable are behaviours and beliefs that guide how we work and how we build relationships. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, supported, and a genuine sense of belonging.

NORCAP values diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to respond effectively to the needs of people affected by crisis.

NRC has a zero-tolerance stance toward any form of exploitation or abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), and we do not tolerate inaction when concerns arise.

All offers are subject to reference and background checks conducted in line with our safeguarding standards, and NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates.

How to Apply

• Based on what you have read so far, do you think you could be a good fit? If so, please follow these steps and apply!
• When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed.
• NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates.
• An approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement and assignment.
• Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.
• Apply before 23rd September 2026, 11:59PM Central European Time

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.

Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.

At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Together, we save lives and rebuild futures.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:

• treat everyone with respect and dignity
• contribute to building a safe environment for all
• never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)
• always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH