Area Programme Manager at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organisation. We provide assistance, protection and durable solutions to refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. What is NRC? NRC promotes and protects the rights of refugees and people who have been displaced within their own country. We take action during situtations of armed conflict, and engage in other contextes where our competences will add value. The majority of our 5000 staff members are national employees in NRC’s projects in around 25 countries worldwide. All our projects are supervised by the NRC Head Office in Oslo. NRC was established in 1946 under the name Aid to Europe, to assist refugees in Europe after World War II. Today NRC is organised as an independent, private foundation. We cooperate closely with the UN and other humanitarian organisations, around the world as well as in Norway. What does NRC do? Programme Activities: NRC’s main activity is the deliverance of humanitarian aid through programme activities in the field. NRC specialises in five programme areas, or core competences – Shelter, Food Security, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, and Information Counselling and Legal Aid (ICLA). The core competences are adaptive to different contexts and mutually reinforcing.

• Job Type: Full Time
• Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
• Experience: 4 years
• Location: Plateau
• Job Field: NGO/Non-Profit 

The Area Programme Manager (APM) oversees a substantial part of NRC’s Area Office programme in existing operational areas, notably Borno State of Nigeria. S/he will ensure strategic direction and quality assurance as well as monitoring of NRC Nigeria’s programme in the Area Office, as well as relevant staff mentoring and capacity development. S/he will further ensure that all projects and project activities meet appropriate quality and compliance standards, extend adequate levels of high-quality support and supervision to the Project Managers, and contribute extensively to new program development. The APM will ensure the AO meets spending and implementation plans and targets. He/She will also hold the project managers accountable for monthly commitments. The APM will ensure that NRC continues implementing the holistic, needs-based, integrated area-based program and will represent NRC at relevant coordination forums, as delegated by the Area Manager. The APM is also a member of the Area Management Team.

What you will do:.

Programme Development: 

• Ensure availability of up-to-date needs assessment (preferably multi-sectoral) to inform programme design and advocacy efforts.
• Develop a one-response Area Office plan incorporating all core competencies.
• Ensure all relevant stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate. 
• Ensure systems for programme quality control, monitoring, and evaluation, and incorporate key learning in programme development, adjustment, and implementation. 
• Coordinate and closely support CC Project Managers/ Coordinators in drawing up plans, proposals, and budgets for new projects/extensions of projects in conjunction with the relevant programme and support staff.
• Coordinate multi-sectoral emergency preparedness and response as context and management require.
• Actively promote drive and closely coordinate with all CC Project Managers/ Coordinators to maximize integrated programming and promote self-reliance.
• Ensure the inclusion of cash- and voucher-based interventions and market-based programmes in area-based strategies and their implementation across and within NRC’s core competencies.
• Consolidation, review, and sign-off of concept notes and proposals input submitted to the country office team.
• Lead area-specific applications with support from the country office. 

Programme Management: 

• Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of programming across Borno State consistent with the project management cycle (including reporting to the desired quality and standard);
• Responsible for the programme budget oversight for all projects/portfolio implemented in the Area and ensure appropriate burn-rates are maintained and solutions to over/under expenditure are applied.
• Responsible for providing implementation support and guidance to Project Managers/ Coordinators, including but not limited to providing instructions on work plans, approving expenses/procurement, recruitments, reporting, etc.
• Responsible for providing timely and methodical updates regarding needs and trends specific to the Area Office to the Area Manager and Country Office.
• Support Project Managers/ Coordinators and ensure CC-specific M&E roles and responsibilities are adhered to.
• Provide an enabling environment for implementing cash- and voucher-based interventions, including multi-purpose cash/ voucher assistance and sector-specific cash/ voucher responses.
• Coordinate and oversee donor visits within the Area Office in coordination with the Area Manager 
• Coordination and follow-up on any modification requests within the AO.
• Review and signoff Area Office donor reports before submission to Grants.

Logistics, Finance, and Human Resource Management:

• Ensure appropriate Financial and Logistical NRC systems/ procedures are adhered to within the programme team.
• Support Project Managers/ Coordinators and ensure timely and accurate development of procurement plans, recruitment plans, M&E plans, and spending plans per project. Ensure the same is shared with relevant support colleagues. 
• In line with project needs and funding availability, continuously and proactively plan programme staff requirements and liaise with HR and Admin to ensure the same. 
• Performance management of all direct reports, including regular 1:1 meetings and completion of work and development plans. 
• Responsible for ensuring systematic capacity development and training of CC Project Managers/ Coordinators, particularly around implementation and reporting capacities. 

 Coordination and Representation: 

• Responsible for attending relevant cluster meetings and coordination fora, representing NRC strictly within the limit set out by the Country Office, including promoting the rights of IDPs/refugees in line with NRC’s Advocacy Strategy.
• Conduct senior representation at state and locality levels and promote strong working relationships with government counterparts.
• In line with NRC’s standards, ensure communication plans are implemented, stakeholders are informed on NRC’s activities, and the organisation is well accepted by communities.
• Step in as Acting AM (or OIC) as and when required. 

What you will bring:

• Postgraduate qualification in a humanitarian-relevant discipline.
• At least four years in a management position in a humanitarian and/ or recovery context.
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of Project Cycle Management and team leadership skills/ profile, including own.
• Fluency in English is essential, both written and verbal.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office, including strong Word, Excel, and Outlook skills.

Context/ Specific Skills, Knowledge, and Experience: 

• Knowledge of the context in North-east Nigeria desirable.
• Experience in community-based and participatory programme design and planning approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects.
• Experience in needs assessment, project monitoring and evaluation, and programme development.
• Knowledge of multiple core competency programming and expertise in one or more of NRC’s Core Competencies is considered an advantage.
• Good communication skills, with the capacity to directly influence and negotiate with various stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style.
• Experience with a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high and diverse workload.

Method of Application

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