What we are looking for
NRC is looking for an Area Programme Manager, East, Central, & North to join the Afghanistan mission. The role holder will be responsible for leading program development initiatives, coordinating the involvement of multiple thematic areas, and overseeing the implementation and overall management of the projects executed in the Area Office.
If you are an experienced and versatile leader with strong communication skills; the ability to provide both operational and managerial leadership; strong strategic oversight and thinking; and the agility and adaptability to navigate changing priorities and environments, then this is the role for you!
*** This position is only open to candidates who have the legal eligibility work in Afghanistan. NRC is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position ***
What you will do
- Supervision and guidance to Project Coordinators in the Area Office.
- Integrated programs support.
- Coordination and technical quality of the Area Office.
- Project cycle management, and monitoring & evaluation of projects.
- Donor standards, grant management, and regular reporting compliance.
- Strategic input for core competency strategies.
- Grants management and BPO allocations at Area Level.
- Liaison and collaboration with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders.
- Represent NRC in relevant forums.
- Compliance with contractual commitments.
- Extraction and implementation of key learnings from project implementation.
- Area emergency response mechanism, Area needs assessments, development plans, and program implementation approvals.
- We highly encourage you to learn more about the role: please review the full Job Description here.
What you will bring
- Senior program management experience in a humanitarian/recovery context.
- People leadership exposure, within a complex programme.
- Recovery, durable solutions programming, and other sectorial expertise.
- Programme development expertise, in a large and rapidly expanding country programme.
- Afghanistan context and the Afghan humanitarian community response experience and knowledge.
- Complex, and volatile context exposure.
- English fluency, both written and verbal.
- Pashto and Dari fluency, at least verbal.
What makes this position attractive?
- Since the Taliban take-over of Afghanistan in August 2021, a reduction in conflict has meant that access has improved. However, a withdrawal of diplomatic and development actors, and an assertive new authority has created challenges in maintaining principled humanitarian access, not least due to the deteriorating position with regard to women’s rights.
- The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is complex, protracted, and worsening. The country recently underwent a regime change in a short space of time. The current regime has limited resources and/or systems in place to provide basic services. In addition to this, internal displacement has taken place due to conflict, climate change, and the economic crisis currently experienced in the country. Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with a risk of systemic collapse and human catastrophe.
- This is an opportunity to contribute to the protection and assistance of vulnerable and crisis-affected women, girls, boys, and men. NRC is one of the leading humanitarian response agencies (particularly for Afghans who have felt forced to flee their homes due to conflict), maintaining a presence of 11 provinces and over 600 staff around the country; and notably in the country’s most troubled provinces. NRC Afghanistan is the largest INGO in the country, at a programmatic, field coverage, and staff count level.
- NRC Afghanistan operates a diverse grants portfolio providing services within Education; Protection; Information Counselling and Legal Assistance; Shelter and Settlements; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; and Emergency core competencies.
- Meaningful work that responds to the diverse needs, priorities, and concerns raised by beneficiary communities. NRC Afghanistan meets immediate humanitarian needs, prevents further displacement, and contributes to durable solutions.
- 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 Afghanistan here.
What we offer
- Jalalabadl, Afghanistan duty station.
- Permanent contract duration.
- 50% travel, approximately.
- Grade 9 in NRC’s International 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
- This position is only open to candidates who have the legal eligibility work in Afghanistan.
- 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.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to give detailed feedback to applicants who have not been shortlisted.
- For any application queries, please email us at aela.recruitment@nrc.no with “APM ECN Afghanistan” 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.
NRC Afghanistan seeks to protect and assist vulnerable women, girls, boys, and men who are affected by displacement. NRC provides assistance to meet immediate humanitarian needs, prevent further displacement, and contribute to durable solutions. We implement programming across all of NRC’s core competencies, integrating protection, advocacy, and an emergency response team to support preparedness and response.
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.
Organization context
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
