NRC recruits 01 Country Director Cameroon

About UsThe Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We work in crises across 31 countries, providing emergencies and long-term assistance to millions of people every year. We stand up for people forced to flee, advocating their rights. NORCAP, our global provider of expertise, helps improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from crises. NRC also runs the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva, a global leader in reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.

Employment with NRC may lead to employment in or deployment to Regions, Countries, Areas or Offices that may be host to considerable health, safety and security risks. NRC takes this very seriously and we have procedures in place to reduce known risks, but will never be able to take away all risks. NRC requires staff members who travel on an international contract to the field to undergo an medical examination with our medical provider. Employees must produce a Health Clearance Certificate before departure stating that there are no relevant health concerns. If staff are unable to provide this, NRC reserves the right to terminate the Contract of Employment.

About the context and the role

Cameroon is affected by three complex humanitarian situations: displacement caused by violence in the Lake Chad Basin and in the North-West and South-West regions and the presence of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) in the eastern regions. Violence in the Far North region has caused a steady rise of displacement since 2014 with over 322,000 IDPs and 115,000 Nigerian refugees as of 2020. According to the UN, the socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions has displaced over 1.1 million people and there are more than 300,000 refugees from CAR. The UN estimated that over 4.4 million people require assistance in 2021.

NRC began operations in Cameroon in 2017. From its field offices in Bamenda, Batouri, Buea, Kousseri, and Maroua, NRC delivers protection, education, legal assistance, shelter, livelihoods and food security, and WASH programming. In 2020, NRC’s programmes provided assistance to over 340,000 people in need. The Country Director will lead a dedicated team of over 160 colleagues to develop, grow and implement quality humanitarian programmes and advocacy.

Responsibilities

The purpose of the Country Director position is the overall leadership and responsibility for the country operation.

The Country Director is overall responsible for:

1. National representation and coordination
2. Development and execution of country strategy
3. All in-country activities, personnel and the Country Management Group (CMG)
4. Safety and security of all staff
5. Country level advocacy
6. Resource allocation and mobilization
7. Cost efficiency and quality, including implementation of control mechanisms
8. Ensuring adequate country structures and systems are in place
9. Learning, training and development of all staff, including a strategy for national staff development
10. Compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures

Specific responsibilities

• Analyse the political and humanitarian context and adapt the NRC programme ensuring relevance and strategic growth within the evolving context in Cameroon
• Motivate and coach staff in order to create effective teams, with particular attention to ensuring an efficient and empowered Country Management Group
• Promote accountability, the highest standard of ethics, including safeguarding, and adherence to the Humanitarian Principles
• Responsible for all NRC advocacy efforts in Cameroon and ensure that contributions are made to NRC regional and global advocacy efforts
• Develop and enforce policies to promote and maintain diverse staff at all levels
• Provide vision, promote ideas, gain agreement and act as a role model
• Serve as a proactive member the Extended Regional Management Group, promote collaboration with other Country Offices and the Regional office and contribute to the development of the Central and West Africa Region as a whole
• Actively engage with the Nigeria Country Office as part of the Lake Chad Basin crisis as well as the CAR Country Office to ensure holistic advocacy and programming

Competencies:

• Minimum 5 years experience from working as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
•  Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal
• Valid driver’s license

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Strategic thinking
• Handling insecure environments
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
• Knowledge of the context in the Central Sahel
• Experience from advocacy work
• Experience with change management processes 

What we offer

• 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
• 24 months contract with possibility of extension
• Family duty station in Yaounde with 35% internal travel
• Grade 12 in NRC’s grade structure

Starting Date: January 2022