Country Director Somalia

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has been working together with strong partnerships in Somalia for over 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), Economic Development and Food security, Peacebuilding, and Humanitarian response. NCA Somalia implements both directly and indirectly through about 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 maintaining 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 expatriate only, and based in Mogadishu, which is a non- family duty station. We offer a two-year contract with a start date in August 2025. Renewal of the contract is possible.

Duties and responsibilities 

• Deliver the country strategy plan and execute strategic decisions to effectively roll out the country’s operating model.
• 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, which includes overseeing the finance, human resource, and administration function
• Lead the country senior management team, supervise, and mentor direct reports
• Responsible for diversifying funding base and strengthening relationships, including representation and networking with donors, partners, government, bilateral and multilateral organizations
• Develop and oversee the collaboration with partners and compliance in partnership management, 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
• Be an active member of the Act Somalia Forum to strengthen collaboration and create synergy among Act members.
• 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
• Experienced in designing and delivering humanitarian assistance including responding to sudden onset crises in conflict contexts.
• Personal robustness and ability to tackle a complex leadership role, in a challenging security-context.
• 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
• 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 

• A unique leadership opportunity to contribute to long-term change and humanitarian impact in a complex and strategic country context.
• A challenging and rewarding role in one of Norway’s largest humanitarian and development organizations.
• Exposure to high-level networking and influence through engagement with international donors, local partners, and multilateral forums such as the ACT Alliance.
• A dynamic and highly motivated team of approximately 40 qualified professionals.
• The chance to lead and shape NCA’s programming in Somalia, working across thematic areas such as WASH, GBV, Economic Development, Peacebuilding, and Emergency Response.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment committed to professional growth, staff development, and organizational learning.
• Competitive salary conditions, including comprehensive health, travel, and accident insurance.
• Access to psychosocial support services and mentoring to promote staff wellbeing and professional growth.
• Living cost allowance and Rest & Recreation (R&R) scheme provided in accordance with NCA’s policies for high-risk duty stations

We encourage all qualified persons to apply for a job with us, regardless of gender, age, disability or cultural background. NCA uses an electronic gateway for all recruitment where you can register and submit your CV, write an application / cover letter and attach relevant certificates. Only applicants using this electronic gateway will be considered for the position.

We kindly ask you to carefully read the  ACT Code of Conduct for the prevention of misconduct, including corruption, fraud, exploitation and abuse, including sexual; and to ensure child safeguarding and the  Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding policy before you submit your application. If you are the selected candidate for this position you will be asked to complete and sign our Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse, and Child Safeguarding Policy.

In accordance with core humanitarian principles, NCA implements a range of safeguards to prevent or reduce the possibility of humanitarian aid falling into the wrong hands. This includes those individuals and groups who are subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. As part of this process, NCA will screen the details of the successful candidates for this post against the sanctions lists maintained by the UN and by some of NCAs governmental donors.