Country Director At Norwegian Refugee Council

Job Purpose

The Country Director is responsible for the country’s operation; providing both strategic direction and operational leadership.

Generic responsibilities

1. Development and execution of country strategy
2. Overall responsible for all activities, personnel and the country management group (CMG)
3. Ensure safety and security of all staff
4. National representation as well as country level advocacy
5. Responsible for overall resource allocation, mobilization and control
6. Responsible for cost efficiency
7. Ensure adequate country structures and systems
8. Learning, training and development for all staff, including a strategy for national staff development

Specific responsibilities

1. Responsible for the further development and implementation of risk management, program criticality and compliance frameworks;
2. Responsible for leading the shelter cluster and leading engagement on the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and HCT+, as well as supporting the Gaza Preparedness Working Group and the Legal Task Force (LTF);
3. Responsible for leading INGO coordination in Palestine through the transition of hosting responsibilities for the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) and ongoing commitment to the active leadership of the Executive Committee;
4. Responsible for leading the West Bank Protection Consortium (WBPC) and contributing to the ongoing development of the Gaza Partnership (GP);
5. Responsible for directing external policy engagement with the donor and diplomatic community in Palestine;
6. Responsible for leading and further developing aid obstruction and shrinking space advocacy.

Professional Competencies and Qualifications Required

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working as a Senior Manager/Country Director in a humanitarian or recovery context;
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts;
• Knowledge of the context in the Middle East, and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and context;
• Strong people management skills, with experience managing complex change processes;
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile with documented results related to the position’s responsibilities;
• Experience developing, influencing and implementing policy advocacy work;
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of Hebrew and/or Arabic desirable.
• Valid driver’s license.

Behavioural competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Handling insecure environments
• Empowering and building trust
• Initiating action and change
• Managing resources to optimize results
• Influencing

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

Additional Information:

Duty Station: Jerusalem

Travel: up to 40% (Gaza and regionally, as required)

Duration of contract: 24 months (renewal based on performance and funds availability)

Grade 12 in NRC’s grading structure

Reporting line: Middle East Regional Director

ABOUT US

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.