What we are looking for
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is looking for an experienced, principled, collaborative and dynamic Head of Programme to lead the implementation of the programme strategy and provide leadership to the programme team in the country, ensuring our response is informed by and relevant for the people affected by the war in Ukraine.
We are a principled humanitarian actor, a strong advocate for protection and the rights of displaced people, as well as an active member of the humanitarian community in Ukraine. We support local capacities, and intend to supplement where necessary – drawing on the strength of our large global network. We support people who remain close to the frontline with emergency response, seeking to contribute to self-reliance where possible. Our focus is on communities that are hard to reach. As a displacement agency, we pay particular attention to people displaced by the conflict. We try to link them up to existing services from day one and believe we have an important role to play in finding good transitional solutions until longer term solutions can be found. We work across the nexus - contributing to early recovery in the most war and displacement affected communities, focusing on integration of IDPs and returnees, and ensuring displaced people’s needs are addressed in recovery and development efforts.
In 2024 we supported close to 300,000 people across all of Ukraine through the provision of multi-purpose cash assistance as a preferred modality of aid delivery, as well as through information, counselling and legal aid, protection, education, shelter, water, sanitation and livelihoods interventions. We mostly work in areas directly affected by hostilities in the east, south and north of the country, and are in the process of phasing out presence in the west. We increasingly work with local actors, ranging from local NGOs, but also with local authorities, the private sector, academia, etc., among others, to ensure the sustainability of our response. Many of our interventions, especially cash assistance, is delivered through digital means ensuring reach and cost-effectiveness.
What you will do
Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position
What you will bring
What we offer
Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC
Important information about the application process
Why NRC?
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization 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.
NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, we have been continuously scaling up our response across the country and working with national partners.
Eight years of conflict in the east of Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war on 24 February 2022, causing death, destruction and displacement for millions of people across the country. 17.6 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023, including 6.3 million internally displaced people and 11.3 million people who returned or remained home. Almost 16 million people received humanitarian assistance in 2022.
Throughout the winter months, the Russian Federation attacked critical energy infrastructure, leaving thousands with no heating, water or gas. Many residential buildings were also damaged and destroyed, killing and injuring civilians and forcing millions more to leave their homes. While indiscriminate attacks continued in different regions of Ukraine, the south was struck by the Kakhovka Dam breach on 6 June 2023, causing flooding and the displacement of thousands of people in the area, and leaving many regions without access to clean drinking water. Those who decided to remain are struggling to access food, water, health care, education and other essential services.
The most vulnerable people are still in need of safe housing, protection services and livelihoods support among other needs. Displaced people in rural areas are also struggling to access services. Many of those in need of assistance live in the areas beyond the control of Ukrainian government, where the response is limited due to access constraints.
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:
Learn more about NRC 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