Job Opportunity: Country Director – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Cameroon
Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for driving humanitarian impact? The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is actively seeking an experienced Country Director to lead its operations in Cameroon. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of displaced communities across the region.
- Position: Country Director, Cameroon
- Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
About the Role
As the Country Director, you will be at the forefront of NRC’s mission to support vulnerable populations in Cameroon. You will oversee operations in challenging environments, ensuring effective program delivery in areas affected by conflict and displacement. This is a unique opportunity for a committed leader to create real change through strategic leadership and impactful humanitarian programming.
Cameroon Context Overview
Cameroon is currently facing three interlinked humanitarian crises, each requiring urgent intervention:
- Lake Chad Basin Crisis: Widespread violence in the Far North region has resulted in continuous displacement and insecurity.
- Over 450,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 195,000 returnees are affected by ongoing violence.
- North-West and South-West Crisis: The socio-political conflict in these regions has displaced 583,113 individuals internally and forced 65,697 refugees to seek safety in neighboring Nigeria.
- Central African Republic (CAR) Crisis: Instability in the CAR has caused over 280,000 refugees to flee into Cameroon’s East, Adamawa, and North regions.
These crises have deeply impacted the lives of countless families, demanding innovative, sustainable, and responsive solutions.
NRC’s Impact in Cameroon
Since 2017, NRC has been a cornerstone of humanitarian efforts in Cameroon, operating through field offices in Bamenda, Batouri, Buea, Kousseri, and Maroua. NRC’s multi-sectoral approach addresses the needs of vulnerable populations through the following key programs:
- Education: Ensuring access to learning opportunities for displaced children.
- Legal Assistance: Supporting communities with civil documentation and legal rights.
- Shelter: Providing safe and dignified housing solutions.
- Livelihoods and Food Security: Helping families rebuild their lives through sustainable livelihoods.
- WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Promoting access to clean water and sanitation services.
To learn more about NRC’s impactful work, visit our official website: NRC.no
Watch NRC in action: Short Video here
What We Are Looking For
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Cameroon is seeking an exceptional Country Director to lead its humanitarian and recovery operations. This leadership role involves overseeing a team of over 174 dedicated professionals while driving the strategic development, growth, and implementation of high-quality humanitarian programmes.
The ideal candidate will bring proven expertise in managing humanitarian and recovery contexts, particularly within complex emergencies. A deep understanding of the Central Sahel region, including cultural sensitivity and contextual awareness, is essential to navigate the challenges of Cameroon’s multi-faceted humanitarian crises.
Key Responsibilities
As Country Director, you will:
- Lead Strategy and Programme Development
- Analyse the evolving political and humanitarian landscape to ensure NRC’s programmes remain relevant and strategically aligned with Cameroon’s context.
- Identify opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation to enhance programme impact.
- Oversee Programme Quality and Implementation
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality humanitarian interventions while promoting accountability and adherence to Humanitarian Principles.
- Strengthen contingency planning, security management, and the safety of all staff in challenging environments.
- Foster Team Leadership and Collaboration
- Inspire, coach, and empower NRC staff, ensuring the effectiveness of the Country Management Group.
- Cultivate a workplace culture that values diversity, inclusivity, and staff well-being.
- Drive Advocacy Efforts
- Lead NRC’s advocacy initiatives in Cameroon, influencing key stakeholders and contributing to regional and global advocacy efforts.
- Collaborate with Country Offices in Nigeria (Lake Chad Basin crisis) and the Central African Republic to ensure integrated advocacy and programming approaches.
- Champion Ethical Standards and Visionary Leadership
- Promote safeguarding, ethical standards, and accountability across all operations.
- Serve as a proactive member of NRC’s Extended Regional Management Group, fostering collaboration across Country Offices and contributing to the Central and West Africa Region’s development.
Please download the detailed job description Job Description_Country Director Cameroon to learn more about the position.
What You Will Bring: Your Key Strengths and Expertise
1. Professional Competencies
To excel in this role, you will bring:
- At least 5 years of proven experience in Senior Management roles or as a Country Director in humanitarian or recovery settings.
- A strong background in working within complex and volatile contexts, showcasing resilience and adaptability.
- A track record of delivering results aligned with the responsibilities of this position.
- Self-awareness and understanding of your leadership style and skills, enabling you to guide and inspire teams effectively.
- Fluency in both French and English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages.
Specific Context, Skills, and Knowledge:
- In-depth knowledge of the Central Sahel context, including its challenges and opportunities.
- Hands-on experience in advocacy efforts, demonstrating an ability to influence and achieve meaningful change.
- Familiarity with change management processes, ensuring smooth transitions and improvements within organizational structures.
2. Behavioral Competencies
You will embody the following behavioral traits:
- Strategic thinking: A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to create long-term plans and adapt to unforeseen changes.
- Handling insecure environments: A calm and effective approach to navigating risks and ensuring safety in challenging conditions.
- Empowering and building trust: A leadership style that fosters confidence and collaboration among team members.
- Influencing: Strong interpersonal skills to build partnerships, inspire others, and drive meaningful change.
What We Offer
- Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- Contract: 24-month assignment with potential for extension.
- Travel: Up to 35% domestic travel within the region.
- Salary and Benefits: Competitive package based on NRC’s Grade 12 scale, including full family duty station benefits.
NRC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to promoting diversity regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.
At NRC, we think creatively, value ideas, and encourage every team member to take initiative and contribute at all levels. In this role, you will have ample opportunities to be heard, make an impact, and grow professionally.
Discover the Benefits of Working with NRC
Learn more about what we offer at NRC: Explore our benefits here.
For any inquiries regarding the application process, feel free to contact us at: cwa.recruitment@nrc.no.
Please note: Applications submitted via email will not be considered. To track your application status, log in to your NRC application profile.
About Us
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a leading global humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting people who are forced to flee due to conflict, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
We work where others cannot, providing life-saving assistance in some of the world’s most challenging crises. By joining NRC, you become part of a team that is recognised worldwide for its high-quality aid efforts and its commitment to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Why Work with NRC?
At NRC, we empower our employees at all levels by fostering responsibility, professional growth, and innovation. You will benefit from:
- A supportive and inclusive work culture.
- An open dialogue with management that values your contributions.
- A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Together, we save lives, defend human dignity, and help rebuild futures for those most in need.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a fundamental aspect of NRC’s mission. We expect all employees to uphold the highest ethical standards and adhere to the following principles:
- Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
- Create and maintain a safe environment for all individuals.
- Avoid and report any form of exploitation, harassment, or abuse, with a particular emphasis on preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH).
- Take action: NRC maintains a zero-tolerance approach to inaction in the face of exploitation, abuse, or SEAH.
By joining NRC, you commit to upholding these values and making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.
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