NRC has had a presence in Colombia since 1991, initially through support to local organizations and within the PCS consortium (Project Counselling Service), and since 2005, as an independent NGO implementing Education and ICLA (Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance) projects in areas of the country affected by internal displacement. With support from its main office in Bogota, NRC implements programme activities in the provinces of Norte de Santander (Cucuta), Magdalena (Santa Marta) and Nariño (Pasto). In addition, NRC is running a refugee programme in Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama for Colombian refugees. The NRC programme in Colombia is funded by the Norwegian MFA, NORAD, SIDA, DFID, CIDA, and ECHO.
All project activities in Colombia and the border countries aim to reinforce the displaced population's capacity to ensure its own protection, to contribute to the reinforcement of civil society and government insitutions at a local and central level, as well as to support the elaboration of public policy actively protecting the rights of IDPs and refugees. Projects are generally implemented in partnership with local and international organizations and are reinforced by active advocacy work
Job description ■The main objective for the Country Director is to lead NRC’s overall activities in Colombia and the border countries (Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela) within the given objectives and framework, and the authorities given by NRC’s head office in Oslo. The Country Director should represent and attend to NRC’s interests in the area ■Ensure that NRC´s country programme develops in line with NRC’s mandate, policies and country specific strategies ■Ensure that NRC´s country programme is managed in accordance with NRC´s policies and guidelines ■Ensure that NRC´s programme activities do not overlap with other organisations activities and that interests of the target group are safeguarded in the country ■Ensure that the NRC country programme contributes to NRC´s advocacy efforts, nationally, regionally and internationally ■Be responsible for the safety and security of NRC personnel employed in the country programme
Personal qualities ■Goal oriented and visionary ■Result oriented and problem solving ■Personal authority ■Ability to work with stress and under pressure, independently and with limited supervision ■Ability and willingness to work and live under difficult circumstances ■Flexible and creative, and it helps if you have a sense of humour ■All employees of the Norwegian Refugee Council should be able to adhere to our four organizational values: Dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable
Qualifications ■Relevant university degree or higher education, preferably in management, social sciences or international development ■Senior management and programme development experience ■Sound knowledge of International Humanitarian, Human Rights and Refugee Laws and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement ■Knowledge of the political situation in Colombia and/or Latin America ■Long experience from international humanitarian work, with refugee/IDP-related emergencies/issues ■Experience in administration and personnel management ■Experience from development of project proposals and budgets ■Experience from advocacy work ■Experience from working in complex emergencies ■Strong communication, interpersonal, representation, negotiation and management skills ■Experience in application-, report writing and budgeting ■Political and cultural awareness ■Awareness of gender issues ■Fluency in the Spanish and English languages, both written and verbal ■Above average computer literacy ■Holder of a valid international driver’s licence
We offer ■Commencement: March 2013 ■Contract period: 2 years ■Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s general directions, and free housing of moderate standard. Please note that tax fees may occur for some countries. ■Duty station: Bogota, with regular travel to Magdalena, Narino, Norte Santander and the border countries Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama. This is a family posting. Bogota is usually quiet and relatively safe, and foreigners can normally move around without harassment or danger, provided that they respect local cultural sensibilities. Travel outside Bogota is dependent on changing security conditions, especially for certain roads in the area
For more information, please see the job description:. http://www.nrc.no/arch/img.aspx?file_id=9664302
How to apply:
Contact info.: Elisabeth Settemsdal Recruitment advisor (+47) 48 28 75 34
Gry Ballestad Head of Section - Middle East, Caucasus, Latin America (+47) 90 80 65 43
Gry Ballestad Head of Section - Middle East, Caucasus, Latin America (+47) 90 80 65 43
