Secretary General
New Closes 1 Dec 2026 CET (UTC+1)
Employers can close earlier.
Secretary General – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is seeking a new Secretary General to succeed Jan Egeland. Under his leadership, NRC has strengthened its international standing and become a prominent voice for people forced to flee. The next Secretary General will build on these achievements and lead NRC into the future.
This is an opportunity to lead one of the world's most respected humanitarian organisations, influence the international humanitarian agenda and make a real difference to people affected by conflict and displacement.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 14,000 staff work in crises across 39 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. NRC includes the two brands NORCAP – global provider of aid expertise and solutions (https://www.nrc.no/norcap) and the displacement monitoring centre IDMC-JIPS (https://www.internal-displacement.org/).
The opportunity:
As Secretary General, you will lead a large and complex global organisation, set its strategic direction and ensure that NRC delivers on its humanitarian mission.
Working closely with the NRC Board and senior management group, you will be responsible for the organisation's continued development, its people and resources, and the strategic choices needed to remain effective and efficient in a changing world.
You will be NRC's leading international representative and public voice, engaging with governments, international institutions, donors and humanitarian partners. You will advocate for the rights of displaced people, influence humanitarian policy and mobilise support for NRC's work, including when this means challenging those in power.
The role requires someone who can combine a strong international presence with the ability to lead and develop a major global organisation.
The person we are looking for:
We are seeking an accomplished international leader with strong humanitarian values, international credibility and the ability to take NRC forward.
A deep personal commitment to humanitarian principles, human dignity and the rights of people forced to flee is essential.
You bring substantial leadership experience from a complex international organisation or sector, with a track record of setting direction, making difficult decisions and leading change. You have a strong understanding of international affairs and geopolitical dynamics, and the judgement to navigate complex political and organisational challenges.
You are an effective communicator who can engage and influence senior decision-makers internationally. As a leader, you build trust, empower others and bring people together around a shared purpose.
We welcome candidates from different backgrounds who share NRC's humanitarian values and have the leadership experience and commitment needed for the role.
Your experience may come from humanitarian or international development organisations, government, diplomacy, multilateral institutions or other international sectors.
Fluency in English and proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language are required.
The position is based in Oslo, Norway, and involves substantial international travel.
Please find linked here the full job description: NRC Generic Job Description - Secretary General - Oct. 2026.docx
What we offer:
Important information about the application process:
NRC has engaged Korn Ferry to support the recruitment process. For any enquiries related to the position or recruitment process, please contact:
For technical issues encountered when submitting your application, please contact recruitment@nrc.no.
All applications should be submitted in English through the official NRC vacancies website by December 1st 2026.
To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace. For current NRC employees, please use your official email address when applying.
NRC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.
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