Country Director - Somalia

NCA is seeking a Country Director who will be responsible for NCA's operations in Somalia, with field offices in Garowe, Garbahaarrey, Mogadishu and Dollow and a regional office in Nairobi. 

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has been working together with strong partnerships in Somalia for almost thirty years to make positive changes within different thematic areas. We have worked in the region for even longer and hope to be part of a lasting and meaningful transformation in the area. Our main programmes are currently Water, Sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Climate Smart Economic Empowerment (CSEE), Peacebuilding, Education for Peace and Humanitarian emergency. NCA Somalia implements both directly and indirectly through 10 local partners and has one joint project with Save the Children.  

As our new Country Director you will adeptly represent programme priorities to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the NCA programme team of around forty highly qualified staff members. You will make use of your excellent communications skills in retaining and developing relations, internally and externally with the head office in Oslo, have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and thrive in evolving and challenging environments. 

In NCA, we seek leaders who are motivated by our vision, our work, and our values, and who wish to take part in developing our organizational- and leadership culture. To reach our goals, we need leaders who can set direction, lead change, develop organizational culture and use our human and financial resources in the best viable way. 

The position is based in Mogadishu, which is a non- family duty station. NCA will provide you with a housing allowance as well as comprehensive insurance for you. This is a two-year contract with a start date September 2021. This is an expat position only. 

Duties and responsibilities 

• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development
• Responsible for the operational management of NCA's office in Somalia and Kenya, which includes overseeing the finance, human resource, and administration function
• Lead the country management team, supervise, and mentor direct reports
• Responsible for strengthening the regional relationships, including representation and networking with donors, and partners, government, bilateral and multilateral organizations 
• Develop and oversee the collaboration with partners, including capacity building and professional development  
• Effectively assess security and risk management for all activities according to the global standards and guidelines to safeguard programs and staff
• Ensure compliance as well as legal requirements for donor grant agreements
• Enabling a culture that supports effective learning, sharing and continual improvement of programme quality
• Position requires travel to field offices for direct operational support and representation

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in relevant field, such as management, or international development  
• Demonstrated strategic leadership experience in the context of development aid and humanitarian assistance in a high-risk environment
• Solid experience in managing and working with programme management, financial management, administration, and HR
• Contextual knowledge of Somalia and the region is an advantage 
• Experience of building personal and organizational networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organization and promoting NCA as an organization
• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written. Norwegian is an asset. 
• Experience in working with/in faith-based organizations is an advantage
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed throughout Somalia

Personal qualities 

• Motivated by managing and developing personnel towards achieving common goals  
• Ability to inspire and build capacities among staff and partners  
• Culturally sensitive and diplomatic with excellent communication and decision-making skills 
• Must be able to handle stress and a high workload under challenging work conditions
• Excellent time management skills with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable in participating in church- and multi-religious networks  
• Understanding the need to explain and make tough decisions and owning them 
• Loyal to Norwegian Church Aid's values and accept the Code of Conduct 

We offer 

• Exciting and meaningful projects with one of Norway's largest NGOs.
• Key role in a very visible organization, internationally 
• Skilled and motivated staff and a work culture that empowers employees to share ideas and take responsibility
• Good insurance and pension benefits