Country Director Palestine

We are seeking an exceptional individual to take on the role of Country Director and provide vision, strategic leadership and high-level representation for the Norwegian Refugee Council Office in Palestine. NRC works in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, providing high quality humanitarian assistance, challenging policies that bring about violations of international humanitarian law, and being a strong advocate for those impacted by conflict and the occupation. 

What you will do:

• Provide strategic leadership in line with regional and global ambitions, aiming to develop and implement a holistic response across programmes, advocacy and policy work.
• Lead the CMG in an inclusive and participatory manner that allows for the flow of ideas and adaptation to an ever-changing context. 
• In close collaboration with the Advocacy Manager, support advocacy efforts at country, regional and global levels with a focus on access to aid, principled humanitarian space, and protection, grounding the advocacy work on evidence, including from NRC own programmes, field presence, thought leadership and policy analysis.
• Direct external policy engagement with the donor and diplomatic community in Palestine.
• In close collaboration with the Head of Programme, develop and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, and other key stakeholders to enhance collaboration and secure funding.
• Represent NRC in the media, raising awareness of the humanitarian situation in Palestine and NRC’s response efforts.
• Ensure NRC’s activities are carried out in line with NRC’s Response Policy and other relevant (country/regional/global) strategies, donor rules and regulations and NRC policies and procedures, including but not limited to the Project Cycle Management framework, HR / Finance and Logistics handbooks. 
• Oversee and ensure the implementation of sound and balanced risk management practices, with due consideration for the principle of Duty of Care. 
• Contribute to the strategic development of the West Bank and Gaza Protection Consortia.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of regional strategic approaches in MENA.
• Manage performance and staff development and identify adequate career development opportunities. 
• Plan for turnover and ensure the timely recruitment and induction of qualified staff for key positions. 
• Continuously promote a positive and collaborative working environment characterized by high levels of trust and respect, with due consideration for staff care and wellbeing. 

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position. 

What you will bring:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience from working as a Senior Manager in humanitarian/recovery context 
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts. Knowledge of the context in the Middle East, and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and context.
• Strong people management skills, with experience managing complex change processes
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile with documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Experience developing, influencing and implementing policy advocacy work
• Fluency in English both written and verbal. Knowledge of Hebrew and/or Arabic desirable.

What we offer:

• Duty station: Jerusalem, Palestine (Non- Family)
• Contract: 24 months (Renewal is subject to performance and funds availability)
• Travel: Minimum of 10% in Gaza and West Bank (NRC operational areas)
• Salary/benefits: grade 12 on NRC’s salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your national identification card. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in Palestine. Due to legal restrictions in obtaining visas for some applicants please click on the link to confirm your eligibility before sending your application.  Recruitment will be done on a rolling basis so please send your application at the earliest opportunity.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.   

Background

In October 2023, escalating political instability and heightened tensions erupted into unprecedented violence and a humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Horrific violence by Palestinian non-state armed groups on 7 October resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, with over 250 taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and injured many more. Violence and the widespread destruction of Gaza’s housing and infrastructure have led to the majority of the population being forcibly displaced, without refuge or access to essential goods and services.

In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers intensified violence against Palestinians, leading to forced displacement. While the events of 7 October triggered the current hostilities, the root causes lie in Israel’s ongoing occupation and history of serious violations of international law, including the annexation of Palestinian territory.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been a leading humanitarian actor in oPt since 2009. We ensure that Palestinians affected by, or threatened with, forced displacement in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have access to assistance and protection. Our operations – rooted in respect for human rights and the responsibility for all actors to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL) – serve Palestinians who have been impacted by conflict and the occupation by providing high quality humanitarian assistance for those underserved and most vulnerable, challenging policies that bring about violations of IHL, and being a strong advocate and clear voice for the people we work with.

 Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC’s operations in Palestinehere.