Background:

The purpose of the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) function is to enable a principled humanitarian response in a safe manner, for the communities and partners we work with and our staff. Despite NRC’s success in delivering assistance to those in need, security and access constraints remain significant challenges. Obstacles such as conflict and violence, environmental and physical challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and interference in humanitarian operations, hinder the delivery of services and protection to displacement affected people.

What you will do:

General Responsibilities:

• Implement the NRC Global HAS Management System at country level, prepare reports as required, and execute the country HAS Operational Plan in line with global HAS initiatives.

• Foster a culture of enabling a safe and principled humanitarian response, adhering to the Humanitarian Principles, in alignment with Programme Criticality.

• Line management responsibility for direct reporting staff. This includes:

  • Performance management process: setting clear goals aligned to strategic priorities, and follow up and support staff’s achievement.

  • Workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction and development, and support for Duty of Care.

• In coordination with Area Managers, responsible for key processes as workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction and development and support for Duty of Care for area-level HAS staff.

• Maintain an up-to-date comprehensive understanding of the country’s humanitarian context, including analysis and forecasting, to regularly brief country management and the Regional Head of HAS on key security developments, NRC exposure, access challenges, and emerging threats to inform decision-making.

• Develop and maintain country HAS documents, procedures, guidance, and tools, including strategy and budgets, ensuring consistency across the country programme and in line with organisational standards.

• Oversee and/or conduct Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments, collaborating with management to implement relevant mitigation measures.

• Ensure compliance with the of NRC’s HAS Management System, encompassing the HAS Policy and risk management procedures, Minimum Operating Standards (MOS), the Humanitarian Access framework, and crisis management procedure.

• Train and develop NRC staff and partners’ capacity in access, safety, and security.

• Communicate and coordinate with relevant external actors and coordination structures and build relationships with various stakeholders to inform operations and security management as well as increase humanitarian access and protect humanitarian space.

• Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies and procedures.

Specific responsibilities:

• Play an active role in supporting existing access coordination mechanisms at Country Level (Access Working Group, CMCoord), leveraging and closely cooperating with NRC's global access community of practice.

• Ensure the timely implementation of the NMFA access project in cooperation with the Global Access and Policy Team.

• In collaboration with the relevant teams, lead and support in negotiating and ensuring access from relevant authorities at all levels and other key stakeholders.

• Develop annual access plans, including stakeholder analysis, access strategies and frameworks of engagement supporting the country strategic planning exercise and establish and maintain networks in areas where NRC is or is planning to implement programme activities.

• Work closely with Advocacy colleagues on Humanitarian Diplomacy initiatives.

Field operations support

• Provide Area Managers and Area Teams with strategic support to enter new operational areas, cross lines or control and re-enter areas of operation such as Al Fasher

• Ensures support during the annual program planning cycle in line with the access severity assessment and the HAS MOS.

• Support NRC Teams on frontline and strategic access negotiations, engagements and civil-military coordination.

• Support area management team on crisis management, incident management.

• Support the Area Office Management Group in making informed strategic decisions related to humanitarian access and the practical application of humanitarian principles.

• Coordinate the implementation of access strategies for all operational areas.

• Provide capacity building and support to field staff on access related topics (humanitarian principles, negotiations, context analysis).

• Lead contingency preparedness in conjunction with the Head of Operations, Area Managers & Area HAS teams, in order to meet duty of care obligations and operational continuity requirements, including by developing, implementing and testing adequate plans & procedures.

What you will bring:

Generic professional competencies:

• 5 years of experience in a similar functional with NGOs, UN or private sector.

• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts

• Documented results related to the position's responsibilities

• Technical expertise in principled humanitarian action and humanitarian access

• Knowledge of humanitarian principles and their implementation in conflict settings

• Basic understanding of legal framework underpinning humanitarian action

• Technical knowledge of and experience managing and/or advising on humanitarian access

• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile

• Previous experience in remote management

• Fluency in English both written and verbal

• Bachelor's degree in international relations, international humanitarian law or relevant technical field

• Strong computer and data analysis skills

• Analytical-minded and able to read political /reference maps

• Good understanding of humanitarian work

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in liaising with communities, authorities and parties to the conflict as well as NGOs, UN and donor community

• Experience operating in insecure environments

• Experience of assessing political, social and security situations in the country

• Fluency in Arabic is desired.

• Familiar with local culture, politics and geographical areas

• Strong interpersonal skills, including capacities to negotiate with non-government stakeholders

• International experience in contexts similar to Sudan is preferred.

• Previous work experience in Sudan is strongly preferred.

• What we offer:

• Duty station: Port Sudan/Khartoum, Sudan

• Contract: 12 Months (renewable based on funding and performance)

• Travel: 60%

• Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s International salary scale (NOK 52,933.00).

• 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

• For Internal candidates: 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.

• Applicants who do not fill in the required information will not be considered for the role.

• 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.

• Mandatory to submit the below when applying:

  • Your most updated English CV and remove all previous outdated CVs.

  • Your most updated Cover Letter

  • Do not attach certificates or any other documents apart from the two mentioned above.

  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• This position is open for international candidates. Internals might be assisted first.

• We receive many applications for each vacant position. Therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• If you have any questions about this role, please email esa.recruitment@nrc.nowith 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

• Learn more about Sudan

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.