Regional Senior Adviser (Based in Oslo) - Region Middle East

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, emergency food security, legal assistance, and water,sanitation and hygiene sectors.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 5000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. In addition, NRC runs one of the world’s largest standby rosters -NORCAP, with 650 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when a crisis occurs

Rights Respected, People Protected

Background:

The Middle East Regional Office based in Amman, Jordan was created in January 2014 as part of NRC’s reorganization process.  We currently have more than 3,000 staff in the Middle East region assisting people displaced by conflict in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Palestine.  Our work is concentrated on the shelter, education, food security, legal assistance and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors with strong protection and resilience focus integrated into our programs.

NRC operations is in the Middle East have grown significantly in recent years and further growth is expected in the months to come. With large operations in such fluid contexts, the NRC Middle East Regional Office has a stimulating and rewarding work environment, a collaborative workforce and genuine place of passion responding to a region in crisis.

 

Overview:

The Regional Senior Advisor (RSA) is the MERO liaison person in NRC Head Office. The RSA reports to the Regional Programme Director, but is expected to work closely with the Regional Director on several issues, including support on annual strategy- and PoA processes across the region. The RSA participates in the regional management team meetings and is expected to liaise with a wide range of functions within the regional office, including on advocacy and access.

The RSA will engage proactively with NMFA, Norad, donors and partners elsewhere in Scandinavia in close cooperation with other parts of the Programme department in MERO.

At HO the RSA will act as the first of point of contact vis-à-vis relevant HO functions and advice Director of Field Operations on issues pertinent to the Middle East region on behalf of the Regional Director.

 

Role and responsibilities

Strategy Process:

• Lead the regional strategy process and, in coordination with relevant MERO units, support the country strategy processes, including support with planning and facilitation of the annual strategy workshops and alignment of indicators.

• Responsible for developing MERO PoA and lead on the quarterly reporting process.

Donor engagement:

• In close collaboration with MERO SMG, PSU and PnP, strengthen the relationship between MERO and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) and Norad through proactive engagement and optimal flows of information.

• In close collaboration with MERO SMG, PSU and PnP, represent the region vis-à-vis other donors and external partners in Scandinavia and, upon request, elsewhere.

Liaison:

• Keep abreast of developments in the region in coordination with MERO Conflict and Access Analyst and other relevant colleagues and through regular visits to MERO and COs.

• Ensure that relevant HO functions are adequately informed of initiatives taking place in the region.

• Represent the region in Oslo based processes and fora (e.g.: internal Earmarking Task Force, FO Department meetings, etc.); and, as appropriate, ensure that MERO and COs in the region are kept informed of relevant HO initiatives.

• Act as the first of point of contact vis-à-vis relevant HO functions, including corporate fundraising, and ensure adequate follow-up if/when necessary.

• Advise Director of Field Operations on issues pertinent to the Middle East region on behalf of the Regional Director.

Other responsibilities:

• In support of MERO SMG, contribute to NRC’s international advocacy efforts in relations to the region with particular focus on Scandinavian targets.

• Upon request, provide surge capacity for the development of strategic applications and/or for gap filling in the region.

 

Our Ideal Candidate:

Minimum 5 years of relevant Manager/Adviser experience within the humanitarian field.

Excellent representation and liaison skills, in addition to strategic, and analytical skills, and experience in engaging with strategic processes.

Someone who enjoys the challenge of working remotely and autonomously, and handling unexpected meetings, travels when needed.

A highly organized person, with excellent communication and reporting skills. A proactive, and initiative person who will seek meeting the organization’s objectives through his liaison and representation role with the NMFA, donors, and partners in Scandinavia.

knowledge of the Norwegian system and language is essential.

 

Additional Information:

Contract period: 24 months

Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions

Duty station: Oslo, Head Office, with up to 30% travel.

Approved health certificate will be requested before contract start

NRC may be required to verify the identity of its partners and to check that its partners have not been involved in illegal activities.

NRC reserves the right to use electronic screening tools for this purpose.

NB: Please enter the geographical location in the "Company name" field for both company and location on your application.

Screening applications will be on a rolling basis.

For more jobs follow us on Twitter @nrc_jobs