Country Director Palau

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) was founded in 1939 as the labour movement’s humanitarian solidarity organisation. Our vision is Solidarity in Action, and we aim to improve people’s living conditions and to create societies that are more just and more democratic. In Norway, we have around 17000 members, and in total 3000 employees working in 36 countries around the world. NPA’s core areas are International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Humanitarian Mine Action and Disarmament, First Aid and Rescue Services and International Solidarity, Anti-Racism & Inclusion. In all our interventions, we continuously work to reduce our climate- and environmental impact.

Wars and armed conflicts come to an end; however, the remnants of war continue to impact millions of people for decades to follow. Mine Action and Disarmament’s vision is a world where people and communities are safe, resilient and protected before, during and after armed conflict. Together with national authorities and other stakeholders, we are working to resolve problems faced by local communities caused by Explosive Ordnance (EO). Currently, NPA has more than 20 Mine Action Programmes ongoing in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.

Do you have experience with succeeding as an upper-level manager within mine action? Are you great at people leadership, communication and networking? Do you want to be at the head of one of NPA’s well-established country programmes? Than you might be the candidate that we are looking for!

We are looking for a new Country Director for our programme in Palau. The country programme is well-established and focuses on the release of land contaminated with Unexploded Ordnance (UXO, AXO), across the country. NPA’s activities in Palau support the communities that are still exposed to contamination from UXO. The programme employs a motivated team of 37 staff and has a very good relationship with the national UXO Safety Office and Ministry authorities.

NPA is seeking a Country Director that can provide excellent leadership and strategic direction for our programme in Palau, be able to take NPA forward within an exit strategy and with a view of capacity building of national authorities, particularly further capacity building of NPA national staff towards their potential long-term career development.

Location: Koror with regular travel to all parts of Palau.

We offer

• An opportunity to be at the head of one of NPA’s well-established country programmes, leading and managing a dynamic and well-trained team.
• A comprehensive salary package, inclusive of specific allowances for the region.
• Monthly pension benefit for Non-members of Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• A robust insurance scheme.
• Five weeks’ annual holiday plus one additional week off for expats.
• Family posting
• 1 holiday trip per year for you and your family (if you choose to be accompanied by family) or 3 holiday trips home per year for you (if not accompanied by family).
• A two-year expatriate contract* with potential for renewal, under the Norwegian Working Environment Act’s and the NPA Special Agreement’s favorable conditions.
• Opportunity to join the Expat Union, which plays a crucial role in ensuring fair working conditions and a supportive workplace environment.

Requirements

• Minimum three years’ experience as upper-level manager within mine-action.
• Relevant higher education and/or relevant professional experience.
• Experience in developing programme strategies, strategically managing and directing projects including implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment and mitigation and contract compliance.
• Experience from managing finance, administrative and human resource systems to ensure programme efficiency.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant institutional donors (USDoS – PMWRA, Japan and AUS DFAT)
• Experience in working and/or knowledge and understanding of cultural and political context in a pacific country is an advantage.
• Experience in general mine action assessments would be an advantage.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Very good communication, networking, and interpersonal skills.

What you will do

• Overall responsibility for the NPA programme in Palau.
• Strategic leadership, management, and representation of NPA in country.
• Accountability towards NPA’s Head Office for the programme delivery, effective management, budget control, monitoring, and evaluation of all activities in the country programme.
• Overall responsibility to ensure that administrative procedure and support are in line with NPA QMS, guidelines, policies, and donor requirements.
• Ensure that the country programme works towards NPA’s vision of Solidarity in Action.
• Overall responsibility for resource mobilization for the country programme, including leading donor strategies and fundraising, and ensure quality and timely delivery of all proposals and reports.
• Ensure effective integration of strategic, programmatic, and operational management to maintain relevance, quality and impact of all activities in country.
• Oversight of the programme to ensure quality and timely delivery of NPA activities and good cooperation with NPA’s partners.
• Ensure that the country programme maintains a comprehensive understanding of the country’s context.
• Overall responsibility for the safety and security of NPA staff, assets and resources and crisis management.
• Overall responsibility for active gender, inclusion and environment mainstreaming within the programme and in all NPA activities.