FONGA Coordination & Localisation Manager Senegal

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s values. To be dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable are attitudes and beliefs that shall guide our actions and relationships. NRC has a commitment to safety and wellbeing and together we build a positive working culture to feel valued, empowered, supported, safe and have a sense of belonging. NRC does not tolerate employees exploiting or abusing people and has zero tolerance to inaction.

What we are looking for

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is seeking a highly qualified, resilient, and dynamic professional to take up the role FONGA Coordination & Localisation Manager. The Manager will primarily play a strategic leadership and influence role, complemented by targeted technical and operational support, based on members’ priorities. Working under the supervision of the FONGA Director and in close collaboration with secretariat staffs, FONGA members and strategic partners, the Manager will contribute to strengthening inclusive and effective coordination, supporting national NGO forums, and advancing the localisation agenda at all levels.

What you will do

• Lead the development and implementation of FONGA’s Coordination and Localisation pillars strategies, and monitor related key policy processes and discussions at national, regional and global levels;
• Support the development of strategic partnerships and represent/position FONGA in relevant external spaces and coordination platforms;
• Lead internal coordination mechanisms (meetings, working groups, etc.) and coordination/localisation-related projects, including targeted technical support and accompaniment to country-level NGO forums;
• Ensure structured reporting, knowledge management and capitalisation.
• Lead the development and implementation of FONGA’s Coordination and Localisation pillars strategies, ensuring alignment with members’ priorities and national, regional and global realities.
• Monitor and engage in key coordination and localisation policy discussions and reforms at global, regional and country levels (e.g., Humanitarian Reset, IASC guidance, Grand Bargain, transition agendas), and provide strategic analysis and recommendations to the Director and members as needed.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.

What you will bring

• Master’s degree in a humanitarian-related field, social sciences, or another relevant discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in humanitarian organisations.
• Regional or global experience is an advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the humanitarian coordination architecture, with proven experience engaging in coordination mechanisms
• Demonstrated expertise in localisation, including familiarity with key frameworks and processes, with proven experience engaging in localization projects or initiatives
• Robust understanding of NGO platforms’ functioning and governance, with proven experience supporting or working with NGO fora/networks.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships and contributing to policy processes and joint initiatives at regional or global level
• Proven experience in capacity strengthening, including training design, facilitation, and coaching
• Proficiency in standard office IT tools (Microsoft Office package, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and collaboration tools such as Teams)
• Full professional proficiency in English and French, both written and spoken
• Excellent understanding of humanitarian dynamics in West and Central Africa, including key trends, processes and policy debates related to coordination and localisation.
• Strong knowledge of major humanitarian issues, humanitarian principles, and the broader international humanitarian system.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and applying governance frameworks, fundraising approaches and practical strategic tools for humanitarian organisations, networks or platforms.
• Ability to provide strategic advice and guidance to senior leadership at regional and country levels, including in complex operational environments.
• Proven experience working in volatile and high-pressure contexts, with strong adaptability, sound judgement and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, persuasive and audience-appropriate materials for diverse stakeholders (e.g., members, local authorities, donors, UN).
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build trust and enable effective collaboration across teams and with external partners.
• High level of flexibility and ability to adjust priorities in response to changing contexts, emerging needs and new requirements.

What we offer

• Duty station: Dakar, Senegal
• Contract: fixed national or international contract (12 months renewable depending on funding)
• Travel: Upon request and according to the activities
• Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions
• 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 only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• 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.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email cwa.recruitment@nrc.no with 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.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We contribute to the development of policy aiming to protect the rights of the displaced and we call for increased humanitarian funding and engagement on processes that will generate structural changes in protection and assistance in the region.

West and Central Africa continues to face converging crises, driven by deteriorating security and political dynamics, climate shocks, and widening humanitarian needs. Humanitarian access is increasingly complex, acceptance of humanitarian action is challenged in several contexts, and funding constraints are placing additional pressure on response capacities. In parallel, coordination mechanisms remain uneven across the region, and political sensitivities in a number of countries continue to shape the operating environment and the ability of humanitarian actors to influence collective priorities.

In response to these challenges, NGOs in the region came together and launched the Forum des ONG en Afrique de l’Ouest et Centrale (FONGA) in 2025 as a regional coordination platform. FONGA’s mandate is to strengthen the coordination, policy influence and advocacy of national and international NGOs, as well as their umbrella structures, working across humanitarian, development and peace sectors in West and Central Africa, with the aim of improving the acceptance of humanitarian action, the effectiveness of aid, and the protection of civilians. FONGA’s work is structured around five strategic priorities: strengthening NGO inclusivity and coordination effectiveness; increasing the visibility of the region to mobilize more and better-quality funding; reinforcing the acceptance of humanitarian assistance, safeguarding humanitarian space and improving the protection of civilians; strengthening monitoring, experience-sharing, anticipation and preparedness, including in contexts with limited humanitarian presence; and advancing the visibility and implementation of the localization agenda.

FONGA currently brings together 59 members, including 20 national NGO forums from countries across the region and 39 regional NGO representations, reflecting a broad diversity of operational footprints, expertise and perspectives. FONGA currently covers 12 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. Its geographical coverage is evolving and may be adjusted over time, in line with members’ footprint, priorities and operational realities.

The Coordination and Localisation Manager will play a central role in advancing FONGA’s coordination and localisation agenda, including through tailored support to NGO forums at country level.

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

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