Job title: Area Programme Manager Northeast Nigeria Maiduguri
Company: Norwegian Refugee Council
Job description: About the ContextSince 2015, NRC Nigeria has been working to help displacement-affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six core competencies: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). In 2021, NRC reached out to over 269,000 people with assistance.The crisis in Nigeria is marked by brutal violence against civilians, causing acute humanitarian needs and displacement. In the northeast, the 13-year conflict has shattered lives, infrastructure, essential services, and social fabric.Two million people are internally displaced across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Approximately half of these live within local communities, increasing pressure on scarce resources. Access to food is limited, particularly in Borno State, where most families are already facing crisis-levels of food insecurity. Civilians, including aid workers, continue to be the target of deadly attacks by non-state armed groups, and transport corridors are persistently insecure.In the Northwest and North-central regions, violence and displacement are rooted in disputes over land and resources, which have been worsened by climate change. Criminality is on the rise. Livelihood opportunities are scarce, and children face an uncertain future, unable to access quality education. Many families have lost their identity papers while fleeing or never obtained them, which hinders their access to essential services.Find out more about NRC and Watch this short video to see NRC in actionWhat we are looking forThe Area Programme Manager (APM) oversees a significant portion of NRC’s Area Office program in current operational areas, especially in Adamawa and Borno States, Nigeria.You will provide strategic direction and quality assurance, as well as monitor NRC Nigeria’s programs in the Area Office, along with mentoring staff and building their capacity.You will also ensure all projects and activities meet appropriate quality and compliance standards, offer high-quality support and supervision to the Project Managers, and actively contribute to new program development, due diligence, and capacity building with NRC’s strategic and implementing partners in Northeast Nigeria.The APM will ensure the Area Office meets spending and implementation plans and targets. They will hold project managers accountable for monthly commitments.The APM will ensure NRC continues to implement a holistic, needs-based, integrated area-based programme and will represent NRC at relevant coordination forums, as delegated by the Area Manager.The APM is a member of the Area Management Team.What you will do
- Ensure full compliance with NRC’s policies, handbooks, procedures, SOPs, and operational guidelines at all levels of programme implementation.
- Line management of CC Project Managers/ Coordinators, Area Emergency Response Project Manager, and Area M&E Coordinator.
- Lead the development of Area Office programme strategies and Core Competency–specific approaches. Initiate and contribute to the design of context-relevant projects and interventions.
- Lead effective grant management and full project cycle management (PCM) in line with NRC’s PCM framework and donor requirements.
- Responsible for actively promoting, supporting, and driving ‘integrated’ (multi-sector) programmes, cross-sectoral exchange of lessons learned, and adherence to relevant quality standards.
- Ensure compliance with donor standards and oversee effective grant management and regular, timely, and high-quality reporting to donors of the Area program within the Country Office grants management structure and PCM flowchart.
- Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and extracting and implementing critical learnings from project implementation.
- Ensure the development and implementation of a capacity-building plan for all area programme staff.
- Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist.
- Ensure the AO implementation is following the SIP (Safe Inclusive Programming) minimum standards in alignment with the SIP Action Plan
Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the positionWhat you will bringProfessional Competencies
- Postgraduate qualification in a humanitarian-relevant discipline.
- At least 4 years in a management position in a humanitarian and/ or recovery context.
- Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
- Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience and understanding of Project Cycle Management and team leadership skills/ profile, including own.
- Fluency in English is essential, both written and verbal.
- Computer literate in Microsoft Office, including strong Word, Excel, and Outlook skills.
Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:
- Experience in North-east Nigeria is mandatory
- Experience in community-based and participatory programme design and planning approaches.
- Demonstrated ability to think creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects.
- Experience in needs assessment, project monitoring and evaluation, and programme development.
- Knowledge of multiple core competency programming and expertise in one or more of NRC’s Core Competencies is considered an advantage.
- Good communication skills, with the capacity to directly influence and negotiate with various stakeholders.
- Solid leadership skills and a supportive management style.
- Experience with a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high and diverse workload.
- Partnership management experience is desirable.
2. Behavioural competencies
- Strategic thinking
- Managing resources to optimize results.
- Influencing, and initiating action and change
- Communicating with impact and respect
- Empowering and building trust
- Managing performance and development
- Handling insecure environment
What we offer
- Duty station: Northeast Nigeria Maiduguri
- Contract: 12 months
- Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s National salary scale
- 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
Kindly send any questions about the application process to: cwa.recruitment@nrc.no. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Please check your application status on your NRC application profile.**This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in Nigeria. Please note that we are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position**
Expected salary:
Location: Maiduguri, Borno State
Job date: Tue, 22 Jul 2025 22:33:08 GMT