Area Manager Syria Central

Job Description

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s values. To be dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable are attitudes and believes that shall guide our actions and relationships.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the Area Manager position is to ensure high quality and cost-effective programme/project implementation in the central area of Syria (Homs and Hama). Central Syria office is a new area of operations starting in August 2022 as part of the expansion plan defined in the strategy.

What you will do:

Generic responsibilities

• Line management for senior project staff and support functions in the area
• Member of the Country Management Group (CMG)
• Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
• Provide area specific input on CC strategies, Country Strategy and Plan of Action
• Support the Country Office in any fundraising efforts for Homs and Hama as well as organize grants opening and closure meetings at area level
• Implementation of projects (including master support budget and coordinating input for donor proposals and reports) in the area, in compliance with contractual commitments (i.e. quality, synergies, timeliness, use of resources) and aligned to regional and global strategies
• Assess needs, develop emergency response and implement response plans, including cash-based interventions and market based programmes
• Ensure optimal use of resources within the allocated project budgets and CC strategies
• Ensure that capacity building is provided to all staff in the area
• Ensure overall security and safety of staff in the area
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy

Specific responsibilities

• Oversee and be responsible for incorporating protection mainstreaming (Safe and Inclusive Programming – SIP) minimum standards into SCO activities, as per NRC guidelines, policies and Syria-specific explanatory notes.
• Report any breaches/concerns, in a confidential manner, through NRC SCO reporting channels
• Promote and secure a safe working environment for reporting concerns/breaches, and that all cases reported are processed in a confidential, sensitive and timely manner
• Build a strong Area Office with clear functions vis-à-vis external actors in the area as well as the country office, while remaining in close contact with other area offices.
• Develop with equal focus projects on WASH, shelter, capacity building and LFS ensuring the adoption of new methodologies including cash.
• Ensure quality implementation of project activities through regular monitoring, quality control and reporting, as well as optimal use of resources.
• Ensure Master Budget is covered and up to date at all times, reflecting cost-efficient use of the available funding.
• Lead by example the teams on the ground on NRC’s core values (dedication, innovation, inclusion and accountability).
• Lead on access strategy and its implementation in hard to reach areas.
• Represent NRC and networking on area level and be an advocate for NRC programs, and most importantly for the people in Syria.
• Hands on budget monitoring and timely adjustment of plans and forecast as per changing needs on the ground to timely meet donors’ commitments.

Professional Competencies and Qualifications Required

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience from working as a Senior Manager a humanitarian/recovery context
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities, including project implementation responsibilities and budget management
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of Middle East crisis in general, and Syria in particular
• Experience in managing safety and security of staff in the field
• Experience with start-up of humanitarian operations in high-risk areas
• Experience in operating in sensitive environments

Behavioural competencies

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing performance and development
• Managing resources to optimise results
• Initiating action and change

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take initiative.

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.

Additional Information:

Duty Station: Homs, Syria

Travel: 50% to the field

Duration of contract:12 months full-time, renewable based on funding, performance and need for the position

Grade 10 in NRC’s grading structure

Reporting line: Country Director

About Us

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We work in crises across more than 31 countries, providing emergencies and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. We stand up for people forced to flee, advocating their rights. NORCAP, our global provider of expertise, helps improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crises. NRC also runs the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.

Employment with NRC may lead to employment in or deployment to Regions, Countries, Areas or Offices that may be host to considerable health, safety and security risks. NRC takes this very seriously and we have procedures in place to reduce known risks, but will never be able to take away all risks.

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.