Humanitarian Access Project Manager United States

This presents a unique opportunity to contribute to NRC's efforts in hard-to-reach countries, supporting local capacity, country and regional offices, and thought leadership through the implementation of a USAID/BHA and US Foundation grant that focus on enabling principled humanitarian action and improving humanitarian access in hard-to-reach areas. Situated within NRC's Washington DC office, this role falls under the Partnerships and Policy Department, in close collaboration with the Global Access team in the Field Operations Department and the policy team at NRC's Geneva office.

What we are looking for:

We seek a strong project management specialist with technical proficiency in humanitarian access, research, and/or policy matters to bolster our team. The preferred candidate should possess a pertinent master’s degree or relevant work experience in fields such as international relations, humanitarian affairs, or related disciplines, coupled with a minimum of two years of project management experience. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate readiness to undertake international travel for periods extending up to two weeks. 

What you will do:

Project Management (40%) of a foundation grant:

1. Implementing the project: Responsible for timely and quality implementation of project deliverables in accordance with project documents and plans, and NRC policies and values.
2. Administering the grant: Responsible for developing budgets in line with donor and NRC requirements, ensuring the project is delivered within the budget and donor reporting requirements are met.
3. Engaging NRC staff in the project: Responsible for working with multiple departments to ensure project delivery—including Country Offices, Innovation team, capacity building team, and more.
4. Representing NRC with the donor: Responsible for working with the foundations adviser and access team to provide the donor with information and updates as needed.
5. Coordinating closely with the Grant management lead overseeing all access grants

Project Implementation support (30%) to BHA/USAID grant: 

1. Support research: Conduct research in collaboration with global NRC Access staff including the management of steering committees. Activities may include conducting background research, interviewing humanitarian staff and parties to conflict, arranging travel, working with translators, and developing research tools. Activities will also include liaising with copy editors and graphic designers and ensuring a smooth publication and promotion timeline.
2. Contribute to NRC USA thought leadership: Work with the NRC USA advocacy and policy team to identify and organize activities that promote NRC’s work on access in Washington and beyond, building on the grant outputs and access team activities.
3. Support humanitarian policy: Support the Hard-to-Reach team’s Global Lead, the NRC USA advocacy team and the Geneva Policy Section on matters pertaining to access related policy. 

Support project management (30%) of BHA/USAID grant: 

With direction from the Project Manager leading the BHA/USAID grant implementation, support: 

1. Procurement: Managing all paperwork in relation to contracting logistics for: consultants, (recruitment, payment, evaluation, etc.) and procurement (i.e. software licenses, ad hoc services, A/V rental equipment, etc) in accordance with NRC and USAID policy. Develop independent relationship with NRC Logistics team. 
2. Compliance: Ensure that project documentation is well-organized and maintained, particularly documents of monitoring and evaluation activities, such as sign-in sheets or evaluations. Ensure that HR handbook, Finance Handbook and USAID protocols are observed.
3. Project management: Adhere to reporting deadlines, conduct proactive donor engagement, and support the administration of the project. Regularly update the project team on indicator progress. Support project and activity monitoring for progress reports and final reports.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.  

What you will bring:

• Minimum five years of relevant experience.
• Two years’ experience in project management or monitoring and evaluation, including contract management and procurement.
• Master’s degree in related field (or bachelor’s with equivalent work experience).
• Knowledge of humanitarian access issues and hard-to-reach contexts.
• Computer skills (common Microsoft Windows and Office applications). 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Conscientiousness and reliability, with strong planning skills and excellent attention to detail 
• Fluency in English required, second language (particularly one used in a country of NRC operation) desirable. 
• Sense of humor desirable
• Knowledge and understanding at operational level of humanitarian standards and coordination mechanisms, humanitarian principles, humanitarian access, and humanitarian financing. 
• Experience working in a hard-to-reach area or on access issues desirable but not required.

What we offer:

• Duty station: NRC Representational Office in Washington DC. 
• Contract: National Temporary Contract (Up to October 31, 2024), with possibility of extension.  
• Salary/benefits: Grade 8 on NRC USA pay scale ($85,992 to $89,460 USD)
•  regional salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions.
• 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 candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• Candidate must hold permanent residency in the US.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport or other government issued identification. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and resume in English, taking care to attach your latest resume.
• 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.

If you have any questions about this role, ho.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.

Learn more about NRC