Head of Operational Support

Background:

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of displaced and affected people during crises. NRC delivers high-quality programmes to support people forced to flee, helping them rebuild their lives and establish a new future. NRC provides immediate humanitarian assistance, prevents further displacement, and contributes to durable solutions. It operates across both new and protracted crises across 40 countries.

The country programmes in the East and Southern Africa region incorporate Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, and Mozambique. NRC exited from Tanzania in 2026.

NRC has a simplified organisational structure with a leaner Head Office in Oslo and Representation Offices and smaller Regional Teams. Global support structures are established for functions previously managed by the Regional Offices, including Finance, Risk & Compliance, People & Organisation, Media and Communication, PCM & Grants Management. The Regional Team and Country Offices will access support capacity from these Global Resource Pools.

Resource Pools (hereafter pool) gather staff in one common team which is organised and managed (but not necessarily physically located) at Head Office. The purpose of pooling is to improve efficiency, equity, access and flexibility. The teams should ensure predictable access to the same services and deliver them in an efficient way.

In Nairobi Kenya, several members of the different pools are physically located in the regional office, the Regional Head of Operational Support ensures streamlining of hosting arrangements and a conducive working environment for all.

What we are looking for:

The Regional Head of Operational Support will ensure an integrated approach to operational management, supporting the quality and timeliness of NRC's response in the region.

The role is responsible for enabling support needs in countries across HR, Risk and Compliance, Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS), Finance, ICT, Logistics and Administration, ensuring compliance with NRC policies.

The Regional Head of Operational Support plays a crucial role in ensuring that the region is accountable for the performance of country offices, ensuring they meet operational standards and deliver on strategic objectives.

The role ensures a conducive working environment for all teams, including members of different global teams physically located in the regional office in Nairobi.

This role is a member of the Regional Management Team and the Global Support Advisory Group (GSAG) led by the deputy SG/ CFO.

What you will do:

- Ensure that support functions within the regional team operate efficiently, fostering a collaborative and effective working environment.
- Hold country offices accountable for progress on their operations by leveraging reports, analyses, and compliance data from NRC’s global resource and pools.
- Support country directors and heads of support, HAS Managers with capacity building and problem-solving related to operational challenges.
- Provide advice and mentorship to country office operational support teams, fostering capacity building and skills development.
- Participate in global discussions on planning and strategy relating to support functions.
- Review of finance, HR and logistics requirements related to regional grants in collaboration with the Global PCM and Grants Management facility.
- Streamline the hosting arrangements for members of global pools physically located in the regional office and ensure a conducive working environment
- The postholder, upon request, can act on behalf of the Regional Director including leading relevant Crisis Management Teams.

Note: The above responsibilities are just a snapshot. Hence, please refer to the full job description for you to have a full understanding.

What you will bring:

1. Professional competencies

- Minimum 10 years of relevant leadership/management experience within the humanitarian field
- Relevant higher education in a related field such as business administration, management, finance or other suitable education
- Background and experience in managing support functions: finance, HR and logistics. It is an added value to have experience from working with security and safety
- Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
- Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
- Relevant experience with overseeing Finance, Logistics or other support functions will be an asset.
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal

2. Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

- Essential: Fluency in English both written and verbal
- Knowledge of the context in East and Southern Africa is an asset.
- Experience with start-ups, exit and organisational change processes
- Ability to collaborate effectively with remote teams and stakeholders

3. Behavioural competencies:

- Build meaningful relations

I communicate clearly and transparently
- I treat all people with respect
- I work collaboratively with partners and internal stakeholders

- Act with integrity

I base my action and good judgement assuring necessary change
- I act as a role model for our principles and values

- Empower people

I delegate and give feedback that allows people to grow
- I set clear expectations and direction
- I challenge and support my team to accomplish shared goals

- Deliver results

I always look for the best solution for the people we serve
- I prioritize and plan enabling my team to achieve results
- I am accountable and take responsibility for my actions and our results

What we offer:

- Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
- Salary/benefits: grade 11 on NRC’s either international or national salary scale.
- Duration of Contract: 2 years, national. Or international with full family package.
- 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:

- For Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
- 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.
- Applicants who do not fill in the required information will not be considered for the role.
- 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.
- Mandatory to submit the below when applying:

Your most updated English CV and remove all previous outdated CVs.
- English Cover Letter
- Do not attach certificates or any other documents apart from the two mentioned above.

- Incomplete applications or the ones submitted in other languages than English will not be considered.
- This position is open for international and national candidates.
- We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] 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 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

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