Head of Operations Palestine

We are seeking for a highly experienced and adaptable individual to take on the role of Head of Operations (HoO) – Emergency to manage and operationalize the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Emergency Response in Palestine. The HoO will ensure the effective scaling-up of operational functions in alignment with the Gaza Emergency Response Plan and develop further guidance as needed. Based on the evolution of the context, the scope of the HoO position might be extended to include the supervision of the West Bank Area Manager and the implementation of a future West Bank Emergency Response Plan.

• Act as the primary focal point for all matters related to the Gaza Area Office and the Palestine Emergency Response
• Ensure that staff are trained and are aware of the minimum standards and have the specific knowledge to carry out their responsibilities in a safe and effective manner.
• Follow up with Human Resources and HSS on the security situation and apply changes in implementation and deployments as necessary, in coordination with the Country Director, and lead on evacuation plans when necessary.
• Manage and operationalize the Emergency Response in Palestine in liaison with CMG and ensure that Support/Programme/HSS coordination mechanism and procedures are in place to ensure effective and efficient response.
• Develop guidance for scaling up the operational functions in alignment with the existent and projected scale up of emergency response funding forecast.
• Ensure that the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) supporting the implementation of the emergency responses are relevant to the identified needs and review, if necessary, in line with the NRC procedures and global guidelines.
• Ensure that the Country Director is constantly and accurately updated in a timely manner on operations in Gaza and the response progress.
• Line management of the Gaza Area Manager(s) and, possibly, the West Bank Area Manager.
• Responsible for the implementation and adherence to NRC generic governing structures and systems in the area office.
• Lead the recruitment and deployment processes for emergency response and implementation programme and support staff in coordination with MENA Regional Human Resources, Global Recruitment Centre, and Emergency Response and Surge Support global teams.
• Responsible for context analysis and development of scenarios for potential displacements in relation to the emergency response ensuring continuous involvement and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continuous update of the Palestine Emergency Response plan in line with the context analysis and changes in needs and strategy.
• Contribute to the development of emergency preparedness planning within the country operation in coordination with relevant CO level interfaces.
• Responsible for representing NRC in coordination fora for emergency response.
• Deputize the Country Director upon delegation and as necessary.

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

What you will bring:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience working as a Deputy Country Director or Country Director in humanitarian emergency context including significant direct experience in implementation of programmes and operations.
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts. Knowledge of the context in the Middle East, and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and context.
• Strong knowledge and experience of NRC systems is an advantage 
• Experience with organisational development, governance and control mechanisms
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile with documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Fluency in English both written and verbal. Knowledge of Hebrew and/or Arabic desirable.

• Duty station: Jerusalem, Palestine (Non- Family)
• Contract: 12months (Renewal is subject to performance and funds availability)
• Travel: Minimum of 50 % within Palestine and to the Regional Office in Amman
• 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

• 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.

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 Palestinehere.