Head of Programme Support Unit Syria

Background

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been a leading humanitarian actor in the response to the Syria crisis, in Syria and across the region, since 2012. Against a backdrop of conflict, socioeconomic and environmental deterioration, climate change and natural disasters, we provide emergency, transitional, early recovery and resilience programmes to people in need. We lead advocacy to promote unimpeded and sustained access to assistance for people across Syria and we call for increased humanitarian funding, resilience and early recovery support to alleviate the hardships of the Syrian people.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Head of Programme Support Unit (HOPSU). This is a senior role that will focus on improving quality programming across multi-core competency projects, geographic areas, and thematic areas. They will oversee the cross-cutting thematic adviser functions of safe and inclusive programming (SIP) (protection mainstreaming), complaints and feedback mechanisms and partnerships, as well as the programme quality support functions of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Grants management.

With a strong focus on quality, this role assumes overall responsibility for the integration of cross-cutting themes of working in partnerships, safe programming and accountability. Additionally, they will guide the development and continuous evolution of effective grant management and support related to project cycle management (PCM), MEL, and partnerships.

The Programme Support Unit, led by the HOPSU, supports with programme quality and development of capacity on cross-cutting and programme support themes, working collaboratively with the core competency specialists, support managers, programme and area managers and regional advisers.

What you will do

The role will have some of the following responsibilities:

• Provide programme support input to Country Strategy and Plan of Action.
• Implementation and revision of the PSU improvement plan.
• Development of strategies/ SOPs on cross-cutting themes, community feedback mechanisms, community engagement and accountability, PCM, and M&E, aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies
• Manage performance and staff development of the Programme Support Unit.
• Initiate the development and embedding of technical guidance documents/SOPs and tools relevant to the Programme Support Unit.
• Support the effective functioning of the Grants Unit, including compliance, programme development and project cycle management processes.
• Oversight of key Project Cycle Management (PCM) processes, training and support, and ensure accountability for grant opening and closure meetings at country level.
• Ensure all staff are trained on PCM, safe programming and accountability principles.
• Responsible for operational donor communication in coordination with the Grants Manager.
• Strengthening accountability to beneficiaries and community engagement approaches through improving M&E processes and efficient functioning of the community helpline and complaints and feedback mechanism.
• Responsible for NRC’s Syria learning and knowledge development.
• Accountable for ensuring mainstreaming of SIP in programme design and implementation in line with NRC Protection Policy and guidelines. Oversee the integration of safe and inclusive programming minimum standards into routines, and development and roll-out of CO annual action plan and self-assessment tools.
• Support the Safe and Inclusive Programming Advisor to maintain and develop internal and external referral mechanisms.
• Oversee the Partnerships Manager on delivering the Partnership Strategy portfolio through creation of partnership management processes and approaches.
• Contribute to lessons learnt and evidence-based programming in a systematic manner

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

What you will bring

• University degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Social science, or the equivalent.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a senior programme and/or programme support position, with line management and responsibility for programme.
• Experience of leading tasks and processes successfully, managing and prioritizing a high and diverse workload.
• Experience in MEAL systems and approaches, and protection & accountability mechanisms and frameworks.
• Experience of working on, coordinating or leading partnership implementation.
• Ability to drive and inspire the PSU to achieve set goals.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

What we offer:

• Duty station: Damascus, Syria.
• Contract:12 months. Renewal based on funding and performance.
• Travel: 10% within areas of operation
• Salary/benefits: Grade 10 National or International
• 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: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.
• For internal candidates, please use your official email address when applying.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• 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.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.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.

NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

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's operations in Syria 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