Director NRC United States (USA)

Norwegian Refugee Council • Washington, DC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

NRC USA is seeking an experienced and dynamic Director to lead its office in Washington DC and amplify NRC’s humanitarian impact. In this role, you will manage NRC USA’s operations in full compliance with rules and regulations for tax-exempt non-profits (501(c)(3)), while representing NRC at senior levels with stakeholders in the United States. You will build and strengthen relationships with government counterparts, institutional donors, peer INGOs, foundations, corporate partners, media, and the public, while leading NRC USA’s fundraising efforts across both institutional and private donors. Since its establishment in 2016, NRC USA has played a critical role in mobilising resources for NRC’s global humanitarian programmes, which support millions of people affected by displacement each year - often in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach contexts. Through strong engagement with the US Department of State, Congress, foundations, corporations, and individual donors, NRC USA raises vital funding and provides evidence-based policy recommendations to inform more effective US responses to displacement and humanitarian crises worldwide.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or above in social science, politics, law, economics or other relevant field.
• At least 10 years of progressively senior leadership experience, including from the humanitarian or development sector.
• Documented career progression due to strong leadership and management skills.
• Thorough knowledge of humanitarian policy, principles and practice.
• Track record of results in advocacy and policy work.
• Proven success in fundraising and donor relations, with experience in raising funds from government, multilateral and/or private donors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated abilities in effective networking, negotiation and representation.
• Highly developed analytical abilities, ideally from political and/or humanitarian contexts.
• Highly professional and proactive leader, capable of working independently.
• Solid experience in developing and implementing institutional strategies, managing and monitoring budgets, and in improving systems and workflows.
• In-depth understanding of US policy, institutions, funding mechanisms and programmes.
• Strong understanding of relevant rules and regulations relevant for humanitarian organisations and the non-profit sector.
• Solid network in the US humanitarian community.
• Understanding of the forced displacement policy landscape, including relevant actors and systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with the World Bank or other IFIs is an asset.
• Operational experience in countries affected by displacement is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Carry out with diligence the duties and authority assigned by the NRC USA Board of Directors and, when necessary, other officer duties. This includes Board-related duties such as organizing Board meetings, developing the agenda in collaboration with the Chair and the NRC Member of the Board, overseeing governing documents, ensuring adequate reporting to the Board and contributing to board development.
• Ensure efficient and effective human and financial resource management, as well as office management.
• Ensure that NRC USA is compliant with relevant national, state and city rules and regulations, including those governing non-profits, relevant tax and labor laws.
• Monitor evolving risks, including changes in laws and policies that may affect NRC USA and its activities, and identify and implement mitigating measures as relevant.
• Develop and implement the strategy, workplans and budgets for NRC USA.
• Line manages core NRC USA staff. This includes recruitment, staff induction and development, performance management and Duty of Care.
• Line manage US-based staff from the Private Fundraising Department, supporting individual donor and corporate/foundations fundraising strategies.
• Create and maintain appropriate and efficient hosting arrangements for staff who are formally part of other NRC units, including fostering an inclusive work environment and promoting collaboration among both hosted and non-hosted staff.
• Lead and nurture a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture grounded in excellence, ethical behaviour, accountability and respect for diversity.
• Present NRC as a trusted partner providing solutions to displacement.
• Maintain and increase predictable and flexible funding for NRC’s humanitarian response according to NRC strategy and annual targets.
• Network and advocate for improved financing conditions.
• Maintain and continue to build NRCs institutional partnership with the US Department of State and other USG entities if relevant.
• Provide expertise on relevant donors /partners, including analyses of donor policies and priorities, funding mechanisms, etc.
• Ensuring the availability of help-desk support and capacity building for relevant NRC staff worldwide on US fundraising, donor rules and regulations, reporting etc.
• In close coordination with the Private Fundraising department, further develop individual donor and private sector fundraising as income.
• Present NRC in relation to fundraising with corporate partners, foundations and towards private individuals.
• Ensure fundraising processes and systems comply with US tax, reporting, privacy and other legal requirements.
• Position NRC in the humanitarian community in Washington DC, through representation, speaking at public events, and engaging with the media, preparing briefings, speeches, letters, and other materials for internal and external use.
• Promote humanitarian policy and principles with US stakeholders.
• Maintain and build relations with relevant US government actors, Congress, non-governmental organizations, the philanthropic sectors and other relevant institutions.
• Follow humanitarian policy and debates and keep relevant parts of NRC informed about the US context.
• Contribute to NRC’s global advocacy work in line with institutional priorities and reactive advocacy on new crises and opportunities.
• Support the development and implementation of prioritized thematic and country-specific advocacy strategies from a US perspective.
• Advise management on the strategic direction of NRC USA.
• Advise, facilitate and support representatives from all parts of NRC in their engagement with stakeholders in the US.
• Contribute to the development of NRC’s global strategies and the Partnerships and Policy Department strategies and workplans and ensure good coordination and collaboration with NRC/PnP.
• Ensure that effective and standardised accountability, monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems are in place.
• Compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
• Perform other tasks as requested and agreed with the Executive Director of PnP.

Benefits

• Grade 12 on NRC’s Resident 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director