Females are highly encouraged to Apply. 

What we are looking for:

The Head of Programme (HoP) provides strategic leadership and oversight of all programmatic activities. The position ensures that programmes are designed, implemented, and monitored in line with NRC’s strategic objectives, donor requirements, and humanitarian standards. The Head of Programme has line management responsibility and capacity building role related to PCM, Monitoring, Evaluation and learning framework. The position supports the development of capacity in NRC core competencies and thematic areas by working in close collaboration with the Head of Support and the Area Managers while playing a critical role in programme quality, donor engagement, partnerships, and representation.

What you will do:

Key objectives for this role include:

1. Member of the Country Management Group (CMG)
2. Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
3. Provide programme input to Country Strategy and Plan of Action 
4. Development of Core Competency strategies, aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies
5. Development of integrated and needs-based programmes, including cash-based interventions and market-based programmes
6. Identify funding opportunities, develop funding strategies and forecast 
7. Grants’ management, BPO allocations and reporting to donors, including compliance with donor standards
8. Quality control, M&E and organizational learning 
9. Capacity building of all technical staff
10. In-country representation at relevant fora and relationship management, as delegated by the Country Director
11. Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the Country strategy

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Country Strategy in line with regional and global objectives.  
• Provide strategic direction for programme design, ensuring alignment with contextual analysis, needs assessments, and organizational priorities.
• Identify and pursue fundraising opportunities, lead/contribute concept notes and proposal development
• Manage donor relationships on the programmatic/technical level and oversee grant management.
• Lead on programme designs, planning, implementation, and quality assurance for all programmes and projects across sectors 
• Promote adaptive programming and innovation through data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure effective grant management, including compliance with donor rules, regulations, and internal policies.
• Oversee quality and timely submission of donor reports and project documentation
• Identify and mitigate programme risks, including financial and reputational risks.
• Strengthen accountability, monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEAL), and reporting systems.
• Facilitate initiatives for integrated programme and response analysis, including the integration of relevant thematic issues such as protection, safe and inclusive programming

• Oversee Project Cycle Management (PCM), including through field support missions

• Liaise with Area managers to explore and create synergies to ensure effective communication between the CO and AOs.

• Identify capacity gaps and facilitate technical training for programme and partner staff.

• Ensure programme relevant advocacy priorities are identified and taken forward. 

• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Country Director. 

What you will bring:

Professional competencies:

• Master’s degree in international development, Social Sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, or related field.

• Minimum 8–10 years’ progressive experience in humanitarian and development programming, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.

• Strong understanding of humanitarian architecture and South Sudan context.

• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, proposal writing, and donor engagement.

• Proven experience in managing multi-sectoral, multi-donor programmes

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities

• High level interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal 

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Knowledge of the context in South Sudan-Advantageous 

• Proven ability to live and work in hardship duty stations, sometimes under stressful environment

• Empowering and building trust and community mobilization

• Experience in Emergency and post emergency contexts 

• Experience with coordination mechanisms (cluster and sectorial)

• Experience in advocacy work and influencing

Behavioural competencies 

• Strategic thinking and decision-making

• Leadership and people management

• Programme and financial management

• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability

• Results-oriented and accountable

• Handling insecure environments

• Managing performance and development

• Communicating with impact and respect

What we offer

• Duty station: Juba_ South Sudan

• Contract: Either national or internation for 24 months. 

• Travel: 30%.

• Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s international 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

• 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.

• 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.

• Applications that are incomplete, will not be considered. 

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

• All nationalities are encouraged to apply and screening will be done a rolling basis. 

• If you have any questions about this role, please email ESA Recruitment esa.recruitment@nrc.no 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.

Over two-thirds of South Sudan’s 8.9 million people need humanitarian assistance. Deteriorating humanitarian conditions have been worsened by climate, conflict and economic shocks, the effects of Covid-19, and gender-based violence. Protection concerns remain high, with people impacted by violence having limited access to justice and the rule of law.

Continued conflict and instability in the country combined with flooding have resulted in large-scale internal and cross-border displacement. Over two million people are internally displaced (55 per cent of whom are women and girls). An additional 2.3 million South Sudanese remain refugees hosted in neighbouring countries.

Prolonged flooding, due to abnormal rainfall, impacts agriculture and intensifies existing vulnerabilities of affected people. In 2022, an estimated 8.3 million people are experiencing severe food insecurity as shocks are intensifying. The cumulative impact of recurrent flooding also contributed to the destruction and damage to water facilities, leaving vulnerable people in urgent need of WASH services and limited access to basic services including health and education.

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