Area Operations Manager Venezuela Maracaibo

Maracaibo

  • Organization: NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
  • Location: Maracaibo
  • Grade: Mid level - Mid level
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: 2025-12-02

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’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 Area Operations Manager who will lead the day-to-day operational oversight of the designated Area Office in Zulia State (Venezuela) by coordinating programme implementation and ensuring compliant, high-quality support services. The role drives for the achievement of key programme objectives, addressing operational bottlenecks, maintains the area delivery of services, and escalates risks to country leadership to ensure high quality and cost-effective programme/project implementation within the area operations. 

 

 

What you will do

 

  • Line management responsibilities for directly reporting staff. This includes the:
    • Performance management process; setting clear goals aligned to country strategy and priorities, and to follow up and support staff’s achievement. 
    • Responsible for key processes as workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction and development and ensure Duty of Care for own staff.
  • Act a member of the Country Management Group (CMG) representing the area of operations and chair the Area Management Group.
  • Collaborate with the programme unit at the country office to ensure that area-specifics are embedded in the core competencies and country strategy and Plan of Action. Support the development of concept notes, project proposals and budget development to scale-up response activities
  • Contribute to the development and monitor area office budget, donor proposals and reports, in compliance with contractual commitments and global guidelines.
  • Conduct needs assessment, when relevant, and implement emergency response activities in the area in close coordination with the line manager and the country office programme team.
  • Ensure optimal use of resources within the allocated budgets and strategies in compliance with donor requirements, organisational procedures, and national laws. 

     

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

What you will bring

  • Minimum 3 years of experience in a Senior Project and Field and team Management role, preferably within a humanitarian/recovery context.
  • Bachelor's degree in political sciences, Social Studies, Business Administration, or any other relevant field.
  • Proven work experience in a volatile and insecure context.
  • Proven experience planning missions and negotiating access with local authorities
  • Proven experience in team management and leadership.
  • Proven experience in team management and dealing with complex team management issues.
  • Documented results related to the responsibilities of the position
  • Fluency in Spanish and English, both written and verbal.
  • Knowledge of transborder dynamics, and the context in Zulia and Tachira States.
  • Experience with exit, down-sizing or similar and hard-to-reach contexts.
  • Experience in project budget management.
  • Valid driving license, able to drive manual gear
  • Demonstrated ability to perform well in a highly fluid environment where both context and organizational structure are subject to continuous, abrupt, and substantial change.
  • Experience in humanitarian access negotiations and security management

What we offer

  • Duty station: Maracaibo (Zulia State), Venezuela

  • Contract: national contract, 6 months , (renewal subject to funding and performance)

  • Travel: up to 30% 

  • Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s regional 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 aela.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.

Venezuela's protracted economic, social, and political crisis has led to millions of people fleeing the country, many others being internally displaced: at least 7.6 million people are in need humanitarian assistance or protection. NRC is present in Venezuela since 2005 and works along the following Core Competencies (CC): Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS) and Protection from Violence (PfV) in Zulia, Tachira, Apure and Bolivar states.

 

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



 

 

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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