Background:

The Inter-Agency Working Group is an active platform of international NGOs with regional presence and programmes across Eastern Africa and the Great Lakes region, working to strengthen humanitarian and sustainable development outcomes across the region, through enhanced coordination, advocacy, technical expertise and active challenging of the broader aid community. The IAWG is a member-led platform: there are currently 31 NGO members, with a 7-member governing Steering Committee.

The IAWG is currently hosted by the NRC East and Southern Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya.

What will you do:

The Head of the Inter‑Agency Working Group (IAWG) provides strategic leadership and representation for a regional, member‑led platform of international NGOs operating across East and Central Africa.

The role exists to strengthen collective NGO leadership, coordination, and influence in humanitarian and protracted crisis contexts, ensuring that NGO perspectives shape regional humanitarian priorities, policies, partnerships, and resource decisions.

The postholder serves as the primary convenor, strategist, and external representative of the IAWG at regional and global levels.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership

• Set and drive the strategic direction of the IAWG in line with its Charter and multi‑year strategy.

• Lead strategic reviews and future planning, ensuring relevance to evolving humanitarian, political, climate, and security dynamics.

• Provide regular high‑level reporting and advice to the IAWG Steering Committee.

2. Collective NGO Coordination

• Convene and facilitate senior‑level coordination among NGO Regional Directors.

• Enable coherence, complementarity, and shared positioning across member organisations.

• Oversee the effective functioning of IAWG working groups and collective initiatives.

3. Advocacy and Policy Influence

• Position the IAWG as a credible, authoritative regional NGO voice on humanitarian priorities.

• Lead the development and articulation of common policy positions, messages, and advocacy priorities.

• Represent agreed NGO positions in regional and global policy and decision‑making forums.

4. External Representation and Partnerships

• Act as the primary representative of the IAWG with UN agencies, regional institutions, donors, and humanitarian partners.

• Build and sustain strategic relationships that advance collective NGO objectives and humanitarian outcomes.

• Strengthen alignment and collaboration with country‑level NGO fora and global NGO platforms.

5. Institutional Sustainability and Governance

• Ensure the financial sustainability and institutional credibility of the IAWG.

• Lead resource mobilization for core operations, analysis, and advocacy capacity.

• Support sound governance, transparency, and accountability to IAWG members.

6. Secretariat Oversight

• Ensure effective delivery, performance management, and compliance with host agency systems.

Note: The above responsibilities are just a snapshot. Hence, please refer to the full job description for you to have a full understanding.

Generic professional competencies for this position:

Experience and expertise

• Minimum 10 years of progressive international experience in humanitarian and/or development contexts, including regional‑level roles.

• Proven leadership in multi-agency coordination, coalition building, or network governance

• Strong understanding of humanitarian operations, NGO systems, and crisis dynamics in East and Central Africa.

• Proven experience in advocacy, policy engagement, and strategic communications.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic leadership and systems thinking.

• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and representational skills.

• Excellent analytical and policy writing.

• Ability to build consensus across diverse organizations and mandates.

• High‑level communication and public speaking skills.

Education and Language

• Postgraduate qualification in international relations, development, political science, or a related field.

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

What we offer

• Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya

• Salary/benefits: grade 11 on NRC’s international salary scale.

• Duration of Contract: 2 years

• 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

Important information about the application process

• Internal NRC candidates only: 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 passport. 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.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

• This position is open for expats who meet the selection criteria.

• If you have any questions about this role, please email ESA Recruitment esa.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

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.

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

About Us

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.

Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.

At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Together, we save lives and rebuild futures.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:

• treat everyone with respect and dignity

• contribute to building a safe environment for all

• never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)

• always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH

How to apply

Apply here.