Program manager of the regional office / Area Program Manager North-East in Norwegian Refugee Council / NRC

Croatian Refugee Council (NRC) font-style: normal">is an independent humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in 1946. We provide assistance, protect the rights and contribute to solving the problems of refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons affected by armed conflict. NRC began its activities in Ukraine at the end of 2014, supporting people affected by the conflict in the east of the country. We are now increasing our efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries to provide assistance to people forced to flee their homes due to war. 

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is strengthening its presence in northeastern Ukraine and establishing a regional office with an office in Kharkiv. The Regional Representative Office North East (AONE) will become a new regional representative office, expanded from the current representative office in Kharkiv, and will begin functioning in the first half of 2026. The Regional Program Manager will be actively involved in this expansion. 
 
AONE will cover the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, where the current representative office in Shostka will structurally transfer to the new AONE representative office in Kharkiv in the first half of 2026.    
 
Key engagement sectors covered by the North East regional office will include housing, information counseling and legal aid (ICLA), protection from violence, education and emergency response through cash assistance. 

The successful candidate for the position of Regional Office Program Manager will have leadership experience in the humanitarian/rehabilitation field, with core competencies and/or multi-disciplinary expertise. Expertise in program launch/expansion, needs assessment and response planning, integrated programming and partnership management. Candidates should have team management, mentoring and capacity building skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of the context of Ukraine.

The program manager of the regional office is responsible for the implementation of integrated programs and representation of the NRC at coordination forums on behalf of the regional manager. The Regional Program Manager will be a member of the Regional Management Team.

Start date for this position is January 2026 (estimated date)


General Responsibilities:strong>

1.    Line Management of Core Competencies Project Managers, MEL Coordinator, Emergency Response Coordinator, Partnership Coordinator.

2.    Adherence to and implementation of NRC policies, instructions and procedures.

3.    Responsibility for ensuring program support of the integrated program, coordination and technical quality in the regional office.

4.    Providing region-specific information relevant to CC strategies.

5.    Compliance with donor standards, grant management and regular reporting to donors in the region.

6.    Determination of funding opportunities and development of funding strategy and forecasts.

7.    Responsibility for grant management and distribution of BPO in the region.

8.    Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, highlighting and implementing key conclusions from project implementation.

9.    Coordination of new emergency response measures in the region and approval of existing ones.

10.    Ensuring the development of the potential of all technical personnel.

Specific duties:

•  Performs the duties of the deputy AM as appointed by the AM.

•    Takes an active part in expanding the activities of the North-Eastern region office, in particular by recruiting and adapting key employees under his leadership.

•    Represents the organization at the level of regional coordination, clusters and/or working groups.

•    Participates in needs assessment and development of programs based on factual data in Northeast Ukraine.

•    Participates in the development of sustainable programs and their joint implementation and/or transfer to partner organizations in the region.

•    Coordination with donors and other external stakeholders at the regional level, in cooperation with AM.

•    Coordinating with project partners at the regional level, developing a qualitative analysis of existing partnerships and proposing new partnerships when appropriate.

•    Participates in planning and conducting needs assessments together with core competency specialists, including for new areas of activity.   

•    Collaborate with core competency project managers to develop program strategy for emergency response and long-term support.

•    Responsible for contributing to local, region-specific strategies, including emergency and emergency response plans.

•    Responsible for holistic and integrated program implementation, taking into account quality, cost-effectiveness and targeting the beneficiaries who need it the most.  

•    Coordinating with the Grants Department to conduct launch, opening and closing meetings for grants in the region.

•    Overseeing project implementation, including goals and budgets, in coordination with all project managers.

•    Ensuring compliance and implementation of technical guidelines by Core Competency project managers in accordance with Core Competency specialists. 

•    Implementation of the communication function between MEAL and grants departments.ular individual meetings with subordinates and implementation of work and development plans for all subordinates. 


1. Professional competencies:

General professional competencies for this position:

• Minimum 4 years of experience in a leadership position in the humanitarian/rehabilitation field
• Experience of working in complex and unstable environments
• Expert knowledge in the area of core competencies
• Documented proven track record related to position responsibilities
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and reporting skills, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Valid driver's license
  
  Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:
• Knowledge of the Ukrainian context
• Knowledge of the local language will be an advantage
• Experience in the field of advocacy
• Experience in creating programs, integrated programming or similar activities
• Knowledge of creating operations in complex and dangerous environments
  
  2. Behavioral Competencies:
  
  
• Strategic Thinking
• Managing Resources to Optimize Results
• Empowering and Building Trust
• Initiating Action and Change
• Influencing
• Working in Dangerous Environments

We offer:

• Official employment, fixed national contract for 12 months;
• Competitive salary and health insurance;
• Working hours from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm;
• Professional growth opportunities;
• Working in a dynamic and influential environment;
• This vacancy involves working in an office.

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) - an employer that provides equal opportunities for development. Your job application will be considered based on the criteria of professional skills required for the position. Other personal characteristics (such as gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual identification, etc.) will not be taken into account when reviewing resumes.

We only contact candidates who have entered the "short list" of applicants based on the selection results.

We reserve the right to stop this contest at any time.
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