Head of programme nigeria at Norwegian Refugee Council NRC
JOB OPPORTUNITY: HEAD OF PROGRAMME
ORGANIZATION: Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria
POSITION: Head of Programme – Nigeria
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-time
CONTRACT DURATION: 24 Months
SALARY & GRADE: Grade 11 on the NRC Salary Scale
CONTRACT TYPE: Open to National/Resident or International/Mobile candidates (depending on selected profile)
ABOUT THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization supporting people affected by displacement, conflict, and crisis. Operating in Nigeria since 2015, NRC provides critical humanitarian assistance and sustainable, durable solutions to conflict-affected and displaced populations.
NRC’s programming in Nigeria spans several core areas, including:
Education
Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA)
Shelter
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Protection from Violence
POSITION SUMMARY
The Head of Programme provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for NRC’s country portfolio in Nigeria. This role ensures that all programmes are effectively designed, executed, monitored, and aligned with NRC’s global strategy, mission, and key donor standards.
The successful candidate will drive programme quality, measurable impact, accountability, and sustainable growth, while optimizing resource allocation and maintaining full compliance with organizational policies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy: Lead the development of the Country Office fundraising strategy, incorporating donor mapping and ensuring alignment with NRC’s programme and advocacy priorities.
Partnership Management: Drive the development and implementation of NRC’s partnership strategy in Nigeria; foster principled, equitable, and collaborative relationships with national and international partners.
Strategic Leadership: Contribute directly to the overall country strategy development; represent NRC as Acting Country Director when delegated.
Programme Quality & Coherence: Ensure consistency, quality, and synergy across core competency inputs, project management processes, and support units.
Grants & PCM Oversight: Oversee grants management through NRC’s Project Cycle Management (PCM) framework to ensure total compliance with donor requirements.
Network & Synergy Building: Strengthen operational networks, cross-departmental collaboration, and inter-agency integration to maximize humanitarian outcomes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Programme Management, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field. (An advanced academic qualification/Master’s degree is an advantage).
Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a senior management role within a humanitarian or recovery context, holding direct oversight for programme and project management.
Contextual Expertise: Proven experience operating within complex, volatile, and insecure environments.
Technical Skills: Strong background in MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) systems, accountability mechanisms, and leading or coordinating consortia/partnerships.
Track Record: Documented results relevant to strategic leadership and high-level programme management.
Languages: Native or full professional fluency in written and spoken English with exceptional drafting abilities.
Additional Desirable Assets:
Familiarity with NRC Core Competency programming.
Deep context awareness of crises within Central and West Africa.
Demonstrated experience with program start-ups, scale-ups, emergency response, and early recovery initiatives.
Experience mainstreaming evidence-based approaches and managing integrated multi-sector programmes.
In-depth understanding of institutional donor landscapes, requirements, and donor relations.
Advanced skills in cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, team-building, and remote coaching/mentoring.
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze complex environments and set clear, long-term directions.
Initiating Action & Change: Proactive approach to driving innovation and adaptation.
Empowering & Building Trust: Strong focus on inclusive leadership and team capacity development.
Resource Optimization: Efficient allocation and management of resources for optimal impact.
Contextual Resilience: Ability to manage operations and teams safely within insecure environments.
Integrity & Results-Driven: High ethical standards paired with a focus on delivering quality outcomes.
SAFEGUARDING & ZERO TOLERANCE
Safeguarding is central to NRC’s culture and operations. All staff are expected to treat every individual with dignity and respect, actively contributing to a safe, supportive environment. NRC strictly enforces a zero-tolerance policy against inaction toward exploitation, abuse, sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment (SEAH).
WHAT NRC OFFERS
Competitive compensation aligned with Grade 11 on the NRC salary scale.
A 24-month contract supporting high-impact humanitarian work in a dynamic team context.
A supportive work environment committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, professional development, and innovation.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should complete their application online via the official NRC Recruitment Portal.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open and Unspecified. Early applications are highly encouraged)
NOTE: Applications submitted via email will NOT be accepted.
