Durable Solutions Programme Development Manager Somalia

Background:

Displacement in Somalia remains a complex and protracted challenge affecting millions of displaced people and returning refugees. NRC responds through integrated, multi-sectoral and area-based approaches that not only meet immediate needs but address systemic barriers preventing displaced people from progressing towards durable solutions. This response is also closely aligned with influencing and enabling the implementation of policies that promote greater inclusion and rights of displacement affected communities in both countries. The Durable Solutions (DS) Programme Manager provides strategic leadership and technical expertise, coordinates funding and partnerships, engages key stakeholders, and supports policy and advocacy efforts to achieve sustainable outcomes for displacement-affected communities.

What you will do:

The overall purpose of the Durable Solutions (DS) Programme Manager position is to lead and oversee the implementation of NRC's Durable Solutions programming in Somalia. The position provides strategic leadership, technical guidance, and managerial oversight to ensure the effective delivery, quality, and growth of the Durable Solutions portfolio. The DS programme manager may also provide support to NRC Kenya programme on ad-hoc basis.

The DS Programme Manager is responsible for managing and strengthening the capacity of programme teams, providing strategic direction and technical guidance on the design and implementation of DS programming, ensuring the development of timely, high-quality proposals, reports, and programme documentation, and maintaining compliance with NRC standards and donor requirements. The role also represents NRC externally, builds and sustains strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and coordination fora, and coordinates resource mobilization efforts to support the expansion and sustainability of the Durable Solutions portfolio.

General Responsibilities:

- To be responsible for providing technical support to colleagues working on DS programmes and develop relevant DS training including coaching of newly recruited staff to ensure they meet NRC’s standards. Also contribute to the induction of new staff with a role in the DS project implementation processes.
- Assume overall responsibility of coordinating and managing the DS programme design and implementation (activities, budget and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements.
- Responsible for Overall backstopping of DS program staff to ensure integrated and area-based programming is realized within NRC DS operation areas and closely support and coordinate DS programmes.
- Compliance to donor standards, and grant management and regular reporting to donor in Country Office
- Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and extracting, documenting and implementing key learnings from project implementation

Specific responsibilities:

- Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of all new and existing projects and activities within the Country Durable Solutions portfolio throughout the project cycle, ensuring project design, start-up, implementation, monitoring, and close-out are aligned with NRC quality standards and donor requirements.
- Work with NRC Country and Area Programme teams, including CC Specialists, Managers, and Coordinators, both remotely and on-site, to develop and apply context-specific technical solutions for Durable Solutions programming, policy influence and strategic planning.
- Support the application of standards, best practices, partnership approaches, programme tools, and MEAL systems to ensure high-quality programme implementation and evidence-based decision-making.
- Lead programme learning, information management, research, and evidence-generation initiatives, identifying opportunities for learning and innovation and facilitating the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned and good practices.
- Promote the integration of innovations, best practices, and programme learning into programme design, implementation, and strategic decision-making to improve programme quality and impact.

Please read the full Job Description as the above-mentioned responsibilities are just a snapshot.

What you will bring:

Generic professional competencies:

- Minimum first level university degree in Development Economics, Social Sciences or other relevant fields.
- Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to work under pressure in a complex and changing environment.
- Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
- Knowledge of the displacement context(s) in Somalia
- Experience with returns and reintegration programmes
- Documented results in project and program management
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal
- Resilient, with the ability to live and work in a complex, insecure and challenging context.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

- Minimum of 5 years’ experience from a senior level project implementation position in a humanitarian/recovery context.
- In-depth knowledge of the main protection and humanitarian standards and legal frameworks.
- Significant work experience in INGOs or UN in assisting IDPs, refugees and returnees with a focus on durable solutions.
- Clear understanding of durable solutions, self-reliance, and related concepts, and experience designing and implementing integrated approaches which effectively advance them.
- Experience in ensuring programming aligns with and contributes to inclusive policy implementation.
- Experience in building strong coalitions and strong networks and designing programs and resource mobilization for multi-year programs in an international environment.
- Solid budgeting skills and understanding of working with multiple donors including FCDO, EU, WB, SIDA, DANIDA, and others.
- Strong experience working in a partnership model and establishing and maintaining coordination and communication systems at inter-agency level
- Knowledge of the context in Somalia and Horn of Africa in general.
- Experience with start-up, exit or similar

What we offer:

- Duty station: Any of the NRC’s area offices (Mogadishu, Kismayo, Galkayo or Hargeisa) (national contract)
- Contract: Fixed Term national contact.
- Travel: 50%
- Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s national salary scale
- 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.
- Your most updated Cover Letter
- Do not attach certificates or any other documents from the two mentioned above.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.

- This position is open for national candidates who have the legal right to work in Somalia. NRC will not sponsor visa nor residency permits.
- If the internal pool is competitive, NRC will prioritize the assessment of internal staff before reviewing applications from external candidates.
- Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
- 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