Head of Programme Palestine

What we are looking for:

We are seeking a highly driven and experienced individual to take up the role of Head of Programme to develop and ensure implementation of holistic high-quality programmes for the Norwegian Refugee Council Office in Palestine. NRC works in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, providing high quality humanitarian assistance, challenging policies that bring about violations of international humanitarian law, and being a strong advocate for those impacted by conflict and the occupation. This role is pivotal in creating cohesive strategies that integrate various aspects of program delivery, ensuring that all initiatives meet the highest standards of excellence and effectiveness.

What you will do:

• Responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of country strategy.
• Development of Core Competency strategies that are aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies.
• In collaboration with the Programme Unit, lead the development of NRC’s fundraising strategy. This includes the mapping of donor policy and priorities and their alignment with NRC’s programmatic and advocacy goals.
• Identify funding opportunities, develop funding strategies and forecasts. 
• Responsible for the coherence and quality of core competency programmatic input to all relevant processes and documents.
• Development of holistic and needs based programmes, including cash-based and market-based programmes.
• Coordinate the roll-out and implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards across the Country Office (CO).
• Work in coordination with the Advocacy Manager to ensure that NRC can engage relevant decision makers and influence their decisions to address humanitarian needs, through programme evidence-based advocacy and ensuring the centrality of protection in humanitarian action.
• Responsible for strengthening our collaboration with other actors through building and strengthening networks, cooperation and implementing partnerships
• Responsible for ensuring sound and timely grants management through NRC’s Project Cycle Management (PCM) framework and in line with donor requirements and best practice.
• Responsible for ensuring consistency and promoting synergy between program operations in Gaza and West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• Line manage and build the capacities of all technical staff including Core Competency Specialists, SIP adviser, CFM Coordinator and the Head of the PSU.
• Member of the Country Management Group (CMG) and Acting Country Director (CD) when delegated.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position. 

What you will bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (administration, business or a social science related). An advanced academic qualification will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience from a senior management position in a humanitarian/ recovery context with responsibility for programme and/or project management.
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts. Knowledge of the Middle East context and understanding of the Palestinian humanitarian context and crisis is highly desirable. 
• Experience of working on, coordinating or leading consortia or other forms of partnership implementation.
• Experience in MEL systems and approaches, and accountability mechanisms and frameworks.
• Experience with start-up, scale-up projects, emergency and early recovery contexts.
• Experience of mainstreaming evidence-based approaches to programme quality throughout the project cycle.
• Experience of working in integrated programmes. Experience in NRC Core Competency programming is an asset.
• Knowledge of donor landscape, priorities and conditions. 
• Effective team building, cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience in the design and delivery of team capacity strengthening, including remote coaching, mentoring and training.
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile with documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal and excellent drafting skills. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

What we offer:

• Duty station: Jerusalem, Palestine (Non- Family)
• Contract: 24 months (Renewal is subject to performance and funds availability). Expected start date: January 2025.
• Travel: Minimum of 30% to Area Offices (NRC Operational Areas)
• Salary/benefits: grade 11 on NRC’s salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions
• 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

• 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 national identification card. 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.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in Palestine. Due to legal restrictions in obtaining visas for some applicants please click on the link to confirm your eligibility before sending your application.  Recruitment will be done on a rolling basis so please send your application at the earliest opportunity.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.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.

NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.   

Background

In October 2023, escalating political instability and heightened tensions erupted into unprecedented violence and a humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Horrific violence by Palestinian non-state armed groups on 7 October resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, with over 250 taken hostage. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and injured many more. Violence and the widespread destruction of Gaza’s housing and infrastructure have led to the majority of the population being forcibly displaced, without refuge or access to essential goods and services.

In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers intensified violence against Palestinians, leading to forced displacement. While the events of 7 October triggered the current hostilities, the root causes lie in Israel’s ongoing occupation and history of serious violations of international law, including the annexation of Palestinian territory.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been a leading humanitarian actor in oPt since 2009. We ensure that Palestinians affected by, or threatened with, forced displacement in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have access to assistance and protection. Our operations – rooted in respect for human rights and the responsibility for all actors to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL) – serve Palestinians who have been impacted by conflict and the occupation by providing high quality humanitarian assistance for those underserved and most vulnerable, challenging policies that bring about violations of IHL, and being a strong advocate and clear voice for the people we work with. 

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's operations in Palestine here.