Job offer: Forum Director – NGO NRC

INGO Forum Director – Cameroon (CHINGO) Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The International Humanitarian NGO Forum in Cameroon (CHINGO) is currently seeking a Forum Director to provide strategic leadership and strengthen collective INGO coordination and advocacy in Cameroon.

Background

The International Humanitarian NGO Forum in Cameroon (CHINGO – Coordination of Humanitarian International Non-Governmental Organizations) has been operational since 2019. It serves as a collective platform to strengthen principled collaboration, coordination, advocacy, and engagement among international NGOs involved in humanitarian response and early recovery across Cameroon.

Today, CHINGO brings together 31 core members and observers and plays a pivotal role in promoting joint analysis and information sharing, shaping collective advocacy and policy dialogue, and facilitating engagement with government authorities, donors, and UN agencies. Through this role, CHINGO ensures that the perspectives of INGOs and crisis-affected communities are meaningfully reflected in key decision-making processes.

CHINGO is overseen by a Steering Committee composed of five elected Country Directors and is administratively hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). While the position is accountable to the Steering Committee, the Forum Director reports functionally to the Chair and administratively to the NRC Country Director.

Purpose of the Role

The CHINGO Director provides strategic leadership to the Forum, ensuring its relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with the evolving humanitarian context. The role focuses on facilitating collective INGO engagement, translating operational realities into strategic priorities, and positioning CHINGO as a credible and influential actor at national, regional, and global levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with CHINGO governance frameworks, internal policies, and applicable donor regulations.
• Proactively shape and drive CHINGO’s agenda, fostering collaboration among INGOs, national NGOs, UN actors, and government counterparts.
• Create and maintain spaces for joint analysis, learning, and information exchange to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Represent INGO interests at high-level national and international forums, contributing to coordinated advocacy and policy engagement.
• Lead and manage the CHINGO Secretariat, including national staff.
• Oversee office operations in Yaoundé and provide strategic direction for administrative and operational functions.
• Ensure effective management of personnel, budgets, security, and office systems.
• Promote a positive and accountable work culture, emphasizing delegation, teamwork, and staff well-being.
• Oversee budgeting, financial management, and accountability, with support from the operations team.
• Navigate sensitive political and policy dynamics related to humanitarian access, principled action, and operational constraints.

Required Profile

Professional Competencies

• Minimum of five years’ experience with an INGO in a conflict or post-conflict environment, in a senior management or coordination role (e.g., Country Director or equivalent).
• Advanced academic background in international relations, political science, development studies, or a related discipline.
• Proven leadership in coordination, representation, and advocacy within complex humanitarian contexts.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate at senior levels.
• Demonstrated capacity in proposal development, budgeting, and reporting.
• Solid advocacy experience in conflict-affected settings.
• In-depth understanding of humanitarian coordination mechanisms and architecture, including UN systems (HCT, ISWG, Clusters), humanitarian reform, and transition processes.
• Familiarity with the humanitarian–development–peace nexus, durable solutions, and localization agendas.
• Sound knowledge of international humanitarian law, protection principles, conflict sensitivity, and humanitarian access.
• Track record of tangible achievements relevant to the role.

Context-Specific Experience

• Knowledge of the Cameroon context, or prior professional experience in Cameroon or the West Africa/Sahel region.
• Experience managing or supporting coalition, network, or secretariat structures is an asset.
• Strong facilitation, diplomatic, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Full professional fluency in English and French, both written and spoken, with excellent drafting and editing abilities.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Initiative and change leadership
• Influence and persuasion
• Ability to operate effectively in insecure and volatile environments

What We Offer

• Duty station: Yaoundé, Cameroon
• Contract type: Fixed-term contract of 12 months, renewable subject to performance and funding
• Compensation: Salary and benefits aligned with Grade 11 of NRC’s remuneration framework

The Norwegian Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across all dimensions, including age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

NRC promotes a dynamic and inclusive work culture that values innovation, encourages initiative, and entrusts staff at all levels with meaningful responsibility. Employees are actively encouraged to contribute ideas, influence decisions, and take ownership of their work.

For any questions related to the application process, please contact: cwa.recruitment@nrc.no.

Please note that applications submitted by email will not be considered. Applicants are advised to track the status of their application through their NRC online profile.

HOW TO APPLY?

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