The Central and West Africa Regional Office (CWARO) located in Dakar, Senegal, supports and provides oversight to NRC’s country programmes in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. All countries are experiencing a deterioration of the security situation, increasing humanitarian needs and displacements due to conflict. NRC’s programmes and advocacy support families affected by conflict in the shelter, food security and livelihoods, education, water and sanitation, camp management, and legal assistance sectors. NRC has over 1,300 employees working on the NRC regional response.
The Regional Programme Department, managed by the Regional Programme Director, is responsible for the strategic development of NRC programming in the region by maximizing the support to and the development of Country Offices’ (CO) as well as by exploring and creating synergies among COs. The Regional Programme Department is focused on research, policies, guidance and procedures, evidence and learning, capacity building, programme quality and donor relations. The department includes a Core Competency and Thematic Unit, and a Programme Development and Support Unit, made up of Regional Programme Advisors and a Regional Grants Manager.
Roles and responsibilities
Strategy, Programme and Business development
- Provide specialist support, advice and guidance to own portfolio of country offices in relation to programme development and to strategic planning in country programmes.
- Conduct regional analysis of trends in the region as allocated by line manager to contribute to regional understanding and provide evidence for new initiatives (e.g., advocacy, new project ideas, new potential donors or partnerships)
- Identify potential new business development opportunities within the region, including region wide opportunities, and country specific opportunities, such as new funder or programme opportunities with good synergy with NRC Strategy and programme priorities and the regional and country contexts
- Coordinate internal reporting and facilitate meetings between country offices the Regional Office and Head Office as required, ensure correct archiving of designated multi-country grants, strategy, programme and project documentation, and keep oversight of designated multi-grant proposals and reporting deadlines.
- Responsible to stay updated on specific countries and/ or themes as assigned.
Advice, Support and Capacity building
- Responsible for capacity building and learning and development, as required, including facilitation of induction training for relevant programme personnel in COs, and provision of PCM support, including facilitation and delivery of trainings, to country programmes within the region.
- May be required to participate in a small number of recruitment interviews for key relevant CO positions and provide some technical supervision (e.g., Grants/PCM Managers).
Quality Standards, Data analysis and M&E
- Responsible for quality control of high-risk donor proposals and reports, macros log frames, and triannual reports and internal programme strategy documents and reports, with regards to NRC strategies and donor compliance.
- Where applicable, liaise and work collaboratively with colleagues in Policy and Partnerships to ensure provision of information and support to COs
- Support programme assessments evaluations in country programmes.
- Promote incorporation of lessons learned and best practices into programme development in country programmes, including from M&E products (such as GORS and Evaluations).
Networking, Representation and Relationships
- Contribute to identification, development and maintenance of relationships with designated stakeholders (e.g., donors, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector) related to programme and business development.
Competencies
- At least 5 years of experience within the humanitarian/recovery context, of which 3 years of Manager/Advisor experience
- Specialist knowledge and expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree in a relevant field (e.g., international development, politics, social science)
- Knowledge of institutional donors’ strategies, priorities, and compliance requirements – NMFA, SIDA, UNHCR, UNICEF, CBPF, BHA, FCDO, ECHO etc.
- Track record of successful proposal development, or similar in funding or partnerships
- Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts, with preference for previous experience in CWA region
- Understanding of, and commitment to working collaboratively with technical and operational colleagues within a matrix structure, including capacity building
- Fluency in English and French, both written and verbal
- Experience working with overall strategy development and planning
- Experience of developing learning and development tools and resources to support capacity building of staff and partners
- Knowledge of and interest in new business opportunities, including commercial partnerships
- Experience of working with cross-country programmes and consortia
What We Offer
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative
- 12 months contract
- An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
- A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields
**This is a Regional role for Senegalese Nationals only**
