Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is recruiting a Head of Programme in Abuja, Nigeria, for a 24-month contract focused on programme leadership, partnerships, fundraising, grants management and humanitarian programme quality.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is recruiting a Head of Programme in Abuja, Nigeria. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight for the country office’s programme portfolio, with responsibility for programme quality, partnerships, fundraising, grants management and accountability.
The position is offered as a 24-month contract and is classified at grade 11 on NRC’s salary scale. The application deadline is October 12, 2026.
Opportunity Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) |
| Position | Head of Programme |
| Location | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Job ID | 21746 |
| Job category | Management |
| Contract | 24 months |
| Schedule | Full time |
| Salary | Grade 11 on NRC salary scale |
| Experience | Minimum 5 years in senior management |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field |
| Posting date | September 28, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 12, 2026 |
What the Role Involves
The Head of Programme will provide strategic leadership for NRC’s programme portfolio in Nigeria. The role focuses on ensuring programmes are well designed, implemented, monitored and aligned with NRC’s mission, strategy and donor requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the development of the country office fundraising strategy.
- Mapping donor priorities and aligning them with programme and advocacy goals.
- Leading NRC’s partnership strategy in Nigeria.
- Strengthening collaboration with national and international partners.
- Supporting country strategy development and implementation.
- Ensuring quality and coherence across core competency programmes.
- Strengthening networks, cooperation and implementing partnerships.
- Overseeing grants management through NRC’s Project Cycle Management framework.
- Promoting coordination between programme and support units.
- Acting as Country Director when delegated.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in programme management, business, social sciences or a related field. An advanced qualification is an advantage.
The position requires at least five years of experience in a senior management position within a humanitarian or recovery context, with responsibility for programme and/or project management.
Relevant experience includes:
- Humanitarian and recovery programming.
- Partnership or consortium implementation.
- MEAL systems and accountability mechanisms.
- Working in complex and volatile environments.
- Programme quality and evidence-based approaches.
- Integrated programmes.
- Emergency and early recovery contexts.
- Donor priorities, requirements and funding conditions.
- Team capacity strengthening, coaching and mentoring.
- Cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution.
Experience with NRC’s core competencies is an asset.
Applicants should also demonstrate strategic thinking, resource management, leadership, integrity, the ability to work in insecure environments and a strong focus on delivering results.
Fluency in written and spoken English, together with strong drafting skills, is required.
Salary and Benefits
The position is classified at grade 11 on NRC’s salary scale.
The contract is for 24 months. NRC states that the position may be offered as a national/resident and/or international/mobile contract depending on the selected candidate’s profile.
The organisation also highlights professional growth, responsibility at different levels, diversity, inclusion and opportunities to contribute ideas.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This is a senior-level humanitarian programme management opportunity. The stated requirements place particular emphasis on leadership experience, programme management, partnerships, MEAL, grants management, donor knowledge and experience working in complex humanitarian environments.
Applicants should carefully compare their professional background with the five-year senior management requirement and the context-specific experience listed in the vacancy.
Documents to Prepare
Applicants should prepare their application according to the requirements on the NRC application portal. The vacancy advises candidates to apply through NRC’s recruitment system.
Questions about the application process can be sent to cwa.recruitment@nrc.no, but NRC states that applications sent by email will not be accepted.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is October 12, 2026, at 9:50 PM.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official NRC recruitment system. Applicants can also find information about NRC’s employment benefits on its official careers website.
NRC Careers and Job Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRC Head of Programme position?
It is a senior programme management role responsible for strategic oversight, programme quality, partnerships, fundraising, grants management and coordination in NRC’s Nigeria country office.
Where is the position based?
The duty station is Abuja, Nigeria.
How long is the contract?
The advertised contract is 24 months.
What qualifications are required?
A Bachelor’s degree in programme management, business, social sciences or a related field is required. An advanced academic qualification is an advantage.
How much experience is required?
The vacancy requires a minimum of five years of senior management experience in a humanitarian or recovery context involving programme and/or project management.
What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by October 12, 2026, at 9:50 PM.
Can applicants apply by email?
No. NRC specifically states that applications sent by email will not be accepted. Email is provided only for questions about the application process.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is sharing this vacancy for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and do not recruit applicants on its behalf.
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