About the Organization
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent, global humanitarian organization that has been assisting people forced to flee since 1946. With a workforce of 15,000 staff operating across 40 countries, NRC is recognized for providing high-quality life-saving and long-term aid in the world’s most challenging crises. We maintain a rights-based approach, advocating for the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons while adhering to the core principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality.
At NRC, we believe in thinking outside the box and encouraging innovative ideas at all levels of the organization. Our culture is built on empowerment, open dialogue with management, and a deep commitment to professional growth. We are an equal opportunities employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that our teams reflect the diverse communities we serve regardless of age, gender, religion, or ethnicity.
Safeguarding is a cornerstone of NRC’s operations. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH). Every employee is expected to treat colleagues and beneficiaries with the utmost respect and dignity, contribute to a safe working environment, and report any form of misconduct immediately. Joining NRC means becoming part of a team that tackles crises where others cannot, saving lives and rebuilding futures.
This specific role is an exciting opportunity for current NRC Ethiopian nationals to take on a senior leadership position within the country office. We are looking for a resilient and dynamic leader who can foster a culture of compliance and efficiency. If you are an internal candidate looking to advance your career within a globally recognized NGO, we encourage you to bring your skills and dedication to this high-impact role.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The Head of Support (HoS) is a senior management position designed to ensure that all support functions—Finance, HR, Logistics, Admin, and ICT—provide high-quality and efficient services to enable successful program implementation. As a key member of the Country Management Group (CMG), the HoS provides strategic input to the Country Strategy and Plan of Action, aligning operational resources with humanitarian objectives across Ethiopia.
Your “day-in-the-life” impact involves the line management of support managers and the oversight of the Master Support Budget. You are accountable for structuring and maintaining robust processes that ensure donor and auditor requirements are met with 100% compliance. By coordinating operational support during proposal development, you ensure that every NRC project in Ethiopia is grounded in a realistic and well-funded logistics and human resource framework.
Professional growth in this role is exceptional, as you will lead the development and review of NRC internal policies and procedures. You will be responsible for organizational learning related to program support and technical capacity building across all geographical areas of operation. This role offers the chance to influence the strategic direction of one of the largest NGO operations in the region, ensuring that aid delivery is fast, compliant, and cost-effective.
Strategically, the HoS acts as the backbone of the organization’s regional resilience. You will monitor resource allocation needs and assess costs to ensure the sustainability of operations in a volatile environment. Your leadership in procurement and recruitment planning ensures that the right people and materials are in the right place at the right time, directly affecting the millions of people NRC assists every year.
The HoS role is about empowering the support team to be a proactive partner in humanitarian response. By fostering a culture of efficiency, you enable program teams to focus on their core mission: assisting those forced to flee. Your ability to find strategic solutions for complex operational matters in budget management and supply chain is what makes NRC’s “high-quality aid” possible.
Job Positions and Requirements
Head of Support
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Logistics, Human Resources, or a related field.
Work Experience: Highly qualified with significant experience in a senior support management role within a humanitarian organization. Proven track record in budget management, logistics, and HR at a strategic level.
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (with 30% travel to field locations)
Salary: Grade 11 on NRC’s Ethiopia national pay scale.
No. Required: 1 (Open for Current NRC Staff/Ethiopian Nationals Only)
Required Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate must be a resilient leader capable of managing diverse teams under pressure. You must have extensive knowledge of donor and auditor requirements and a deep understanding of NRC’s policies and handbooks. Strong analytical skills are required to monitor resource allocation and assess costs effectively. You must be “highly qualified” in strategic planning and internal policy development.
Technical competencies include expertise in supply chain management, recruitment planning, and master budget development. You must have excellent communication skills in English and the ability to mentor and build the technical capacity of support staff. A demonstrated ability to “think outside the box” and take initiative in key operational matters is essential for success in this role.
Employment Type and Compensation
This is a Full-time, Fixed Term Contract for a duration of 24 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding. NRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package according to Grade 11 of the national pay scale. The role includes a supportive culture that values staff well-being and provides numerous opportunities for professional initiative.
Beyond financial rewards, the Head of Support benefits from a 30% travel requirement, allowing for direct engagement with field operations and a comprehensive understanding of the humanitarian context across Ethiopia. You will be part of a senior leadership team that values your voice and empowers you to make significant decisions that impact the organization’s global standing.
How to Apply
IMPORTANT: This position is open to internal candidates (Current NRC staff) who are Ethiopian nationals only. To apply, you must log in with your official NRC email or apply through the “Opportunity MarketPlace” on the internal system. Ensure your profile includes your full name as it appears on your passport and that all fields for employment history and education are completed.
Your application and CV must be submitted in English. Please ensure you attach your latest, most detailed CV for review. NRC maintains a merit-based selection process, and applications that do not meet the minimum standards for experience and qualification will not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific vacancy will be ignored.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. If you have specific questions regarding the role before applying, you may email ho.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line. We appreciate the dedication of our internal staff and look forward to seeing your application.
Please double-check that your system-required fields are fully populated before submission. Incomplete profiles may lead to automatic disqualification by the recruitment system.
Application Deadline
April 7, 2026 (03:00 AM)