Program Manager

NCA Somalia is looking for someone who wants to contribute in a challenging context to our important work in Somalia. This is an expatriate position.

1. Areas of Responsibility

The Program Manager / Head of Program (PM/HoP) plays a pivotal leadership role in Norwegian Church Aid’s (NCA) programmatic work in Somalia. Reporting directly to the Country Director, the PM/HoP is responsible for:

• Providing strategic leadership across NCA’s program portfolio in Somalia, ensuring alignment with the country strategy, donor requirements, and national frameworks.
• Driving program quality, innovation, and learning in close collaboration with partners, project teams, line ministries, and ACT Alliance members to maximize relevance, impact, and accountability.
• Working closely with the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT) on risk management, compliance, financial stewardship, and security to safeguard NCA’s operations and reputation.
• Leading and developing the program team and Area Coordinators, in collaboration with HR and the Country Director, to foster a motivated, inclusive, and accountable team environment.
• Acting as Deputy to the Country Director when required, ensuring organizational continuity and effective representation of NCA at the national level.

2. Key Responsibilities

To fulfill these responsibilities, the PM/HoP will:

• Guide and support partners, ACT Somalia, ministries, and staff to deliver high-quality programs in compliance with NCA policies, MoUs, donor agreements, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee planning, monitoring, and reporting systems that operationalize the Country Strategy and Annual Plan.
• Represent NCA in relevant coordination forums and build strong external relationships to enhance influence, collaboration, and resource mobilization.
• Collaborate with the SMT to implement the Country Office risk management plan, ensure sound financial management, and enforce security protocols.
• Strengthen HR systems in partnership with the HR Manager and Country Director, ensuring effective recruitment, staff development, and performance management. 

3. Personal Qualities

In addition to strong professional qualifications, we are looking for a candidate with excellent personal qualities. We value individuals who:

• Are team-oriented and inclusive leaders.
• Treat others with respect and empathy.
• Are good listeners and demonstrate understanding.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.
• Make sound decisions, even under pressure.
• Lead with openness, transparency, and integrity.

4. Additional Duties

The PM/HoP will also:

• Represent the Country Director in meetings and forums as delegated.
• Serve as the focal point for PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse) at the Country Office.
• Support and follow up on the annual Performance Development Review (PDR) process.
• Travel to field locations to oversee program implementation and support teams, subject to security conditions.
• Ensure compliance with NCA’s security protocols, program routines, and documentation standards.
• Perform other duties as agreed with the Country Director, in line with organizational priorities.

Note

This job description is subject to review and adjustment through mutual agreement as part of the annual PDR process. All NCA employees are expected to be flexible team players and contribute to other areas of work as directed by their line manager.

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 sanction’s lists maintained by the UN and by some of NCAs governmental donors.