Global Programme Strategy and Innovation Director

Context

We believe in a world where the rights of displaced and vulnerable persons are protected during a crisis. We do this through our programmes, where we provide assistance to meet immediate humanitarian needs, prevent further displacement and contribute to durable solutions. At the root of our programmes are our solid technical expertise and specific sectorial knowledge aiming for the highest possible quality, whether in stand-alone or integrated approaches.

We are looking for a fantastic new colleague to lead NRCs global programme development into new areas and approaches and build and promote a culture of innovation in programmes in NRC. As NRC embarks on the exciting work to implementing our new Global Strategy for 2022-2025, you will head up a team of great, passionate,  professional people and be part of shaping a new management team for global programmes in NRC. . 

If you are a senior humanitarian professional, great to work with, have hands-on knowledge from leading innovation work and have a record of accomplishment of building good teams and leading change processes, you might be exactly what we are looking for. If you are also up for the challenge of shaping the future of one of the largest humanitarian organisations working with displaced people, come join our team!

What you will do

You will oversee The Global Programme Strategy and Innovation Unit, which is accountable for leading the development of new programme areas and approaches for NRC and fostering a culture of innovation in NRCs programme development. You will also be responsible for the following:

• Leading a team of passionate professionals who are researching, developing, supporting country offices to pilot and roll out new and innovative approaches to deliver programmes across NRCs 30 countries of intervention.
• Overseeing the management of NRCs internal innovation fund, innovation framework and framework for development for digital tools to deliver programmes.
• Ensuring the unit’s adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures and for the development, follow up and reporting on action plans and budgets according to overall NRC strategic direction.
• Ensuring NRC provides thought leadership in the sector within the technical areas the unit is responsible for and that NRCs expertise in these areas is recognised within the humanitarian sector, potential partners and the donor community.
• As a member of the management team for the Global Programme Section, contribute to team spirit and good collaboration within the section; work collaboratively on over-arching planning, strategy, cross-unit project implementation and lead delegated change projects.

What you will bring

• Highly advanced professional expertise and in-depth knowledge and experience from programmatic design and implementation in the humanitarian sector, including experience working with conflict and displacement related issues.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant leadership/project development and management experience within the humanitarian field, preferably with previous experience from leading innovation projects and overseeing digital product development used to support/deliver humanitarian programmes.
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• A passion for innovation, new ways of delivering aid, collaboration with partners within and outside the humanitarian sector and a commitment to learning and quality in service delivery.
• Deep understanding of global trends that can affect humanitarian response to conflict and displacement and well-developed international networks, ideally within the humanitarian sector as well as amongst actors within the innovation and social impact sphere more broadly.  
• Proven experience of leading change processes in complex, multinational organisations.
• Understanding of leadership, management, influencing and development within a matrix structure.
• Professional credibility to provide technical leadership to programme staff globally, influence senior managers and drive change internally, as well as to represent NRC with senior decision-makers externally.
• Team spirit, can-do attitude, sense of humour and ability to laugh at yourself.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. French, Arabic and/or Spanish is an asset.

We know that you are curios and would like to learn more about this role; please click here to access the full Job Description.

Whom you will work with

You will join our colleagues in Head Office and be part of the Global Programme Section (GPS), which is responsible for developing the global programme framework for the organisation, and consist of three units:

1. The Programme Policy and Development Unit (new head of unit also under recruitment) - focused on the continuous development and improvement of NRC’s programme activities with specific focus on: Education, Shelter & Settlements, Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Camp Management, Food Security, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
2. The Programme Strategy and Innovation Unit (the unit this position will head up) - focused on the identification and development of new programming approaches in line with NRC’s Global Strategy facilitates and stimulates an environment conducive to innovation within NRC.
3. The Monitoring & Evaluation Unit – focus on the development and operationalisation of NRC’s monitoring and evaluation framework is in line with NRC’s policies, donor requirements, and external standards. The unit also makes sure that the framework supports and contributes to organisational learning. 

The PSI unit is part of a technical matrix structure and is required to work collaboratively with colleagues in both the technical and operational management structures at all levels (Head Office - HO, Regional Office – RO and Country Office - CO). The Global Programme Section is also in constant contact with NRC’s representation offices for external representation, policy engagement and donor relations, as well as other departments in HQ to support fundraising, strategy and organisational development. 

What makes this position attractive?

• A challenging and exciting opportunity with an international team in an international organisation that wants to make a difference and take concrete action to do so;
• A chance to shape the future programming of one of the largest humanitarian organisations working with displaced people;
• An opportunity to work on innovation that matters for displaced people, help NRC navigate and respond to global trends and influence the wider humanitarian community;
• A permanent position with Oslo as ​the preferred duty station, but we can consider working from home options or placement at other NRC duty stations for the right candidate;
• Salary and benefits according to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

We are happy about early applicants. NRC wants to reflect the diversity of the organisation also in senior HQ positions, we, therefore, encourage people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply.