Background/Context 

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) works in Burkina Faso, with staff dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict. Its humanitarian interventions are based on its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Site Management, Education, WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Livelihoods and Food Security, Protection from Violence, along with Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people. NRC also engages in humanitarian advocacy globally and in the country.

According to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, Burkina Faso continues to face the worst humanitarian crisis in the country’s history, with 23% of the population (an estimated 4.7 million people) in need of humanitarian assistance, and 2 million people (10% of the population) internally displaced as of 31 March 2023 (of which 53% are women and 52% are boys and girls under 18). The scale and severity of humanitarian needs have increased during 2023: according to the Government’s national humanitarian response plan 2023, all 13 regions in Burkina Faso host Internally Displaced People (IDPs), with a high concentration in the Sahel (25.7%), North Central (25.1%), North (13%), East (10.8%) and Boucle du Mouhoun (6.5%) regions.

In addition, the humanitarian space is increasingly constrained, with36 hard to reach localities (compared to 5 blockaded areas in the previous year), making it difficult to deliver humanitarian assistance to affected populations.

NRC expects to consolidate its current geographic scope and proceed with the formalization of two operational areas: North with the base in Dori and East with the base in Fada. The development of activities in the Boucle de Mouhoun will remain under the responsibility of the Fada Area Manager.

Find out more about NRC https://www.nrc.no/ and Watch this short video to see NRC in action https://vimeo.com/736782633

What we are looking for

We are seeking for an Area Manager to ensure high quality and cost-effective programme/project implementation in the East & Central-North program area of Burkina Faso; Leadership of the area of responsibility and direct line management for senior project staff. Assess needs, develop emergency response and implement response plans, ensure optimal use of resources within the allocated project budgets and Core Competence (CC) strategies; Represent NRC and ensure proactive networking at the area level, liaise with other stakeholders to ensure that NRC work is presented and shared across the humanitarian community and support functions in the area.

What you will do  

• Overall responsibility for managing the Area Office including potential sub-offices
• Responsible for overall staff security, including completing security risk assessments for the area and possible new areas of intervention.
• Support needs assessment in the region, and ensure the implementation of all projects active in the area in line with the agreed standards and donors’ requirements; this includes ensuring that NRC’s data collection systems are in place and information is properly stored and analysed
• Support the team in identifying the gaps for further programming and development, and participate in assessments for new areas of operation, possible areas of intervention, aiding the development of program strategy for implementation.
• Lead on access strategy and its implementation in hard-to-reach areas, in close collaboration with CD and relevant colleagues at the country level. This includes contextualizing, adapting, and implementing SOPs and procedures to ensure effective provision of assistance to hard-to-reach areas
• In conjunction with the Country Office, liaise with donors on new funding and operational areas of programming, and liaise regularly with local authorities (political and security), donors and humanitarian actors in the operational area. This includes support in developing concept notes, project proposals, and budgets for the scale-up of post-emergency activities.
• Represent NRC at coordination platforms at the area level and provide regular feedback and input to advocacy initiatives.
• Overall responsibility for staff management. Recruitment of qualified staff for the area office, in close collaboration with HR and support team in the Country Office, lead by example the teams on the ground on NRC’s core values (dedication, innovation, inclusion and  accountability).
• Ensuring training is provided to all staff and capacity building initiatives are in place, all staff completes work and development plans in the operational area, and performance feedback sessions are conducted on a minimum quarterly basis
• Ensure sound financial management, including the Master Budget is covered and up to date, reflecting cost-efficient use of the available funding.

Please find more details Job Description_Area Manager Est_Centre-Nord

What you will bring

• Minimum 5 years of experience working as a Senior Project Manager in a humanitarian and recovery context
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in Burkina Faso is an important asset
• Knowledge of the context in West Africa and Sahel / Burkina Faso specifically
• Experience with start-up, exit, or similar

2. Behavioural competencies

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing performance and development
• Managing resources to optimize results

Deadline for applications: 28^th January 2024

What we offer 

• Duty station: Burkina Faso Fada N’Gourma

• Contract: 12 months

• Travel: up to 60%

• Salary/benefits: grade 10 on NRC’s salary scale

• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and highly encourage potential female applicants to apply!

• 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 https://www.nrc.no/career/what-we-offer/

Important information about the application process

• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• We receive many applicants for each vacant position; therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Kindly send any questions in relation to the application process to: [email protected]. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Please check your application status on your NRC application profile