Country Director Nigeria

About the Context

Nigeria continues to face one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises globally. After more than a decade, the conflict in the Lake Chad Basin persists, marked by ongoing violence, and cyclical displacement, particularly across the Northeast. The crisis is increasingly shaped by the convergence of conflict, climate shocks, economic fragility, and protection risks—creating a layered and evolving vulnerability profile that challenges traditional humanitarian response models.

In Northeast Nigeria (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states), an estimated over 2.3 million people remain internally displaced, while approximately 7.3 million people need humanitarian assistance in 2026. Despite areas of relative stabilization, security conditions remain volatile. Access constraints persist, with significant portions of Borno State classified as hard-to-reach, limiting consistent delivery of assistance and protection services.

Beyond the Northeast, displacement dynamics have become increasingly national in scope. In the Northwest, banditry, kidnapping, and criminal violence continue to drive large-scale displacement and cross-border movements into Niger. In the North Central region - particularly in Plateau, Benue, and parts of Nasarawa - intercommunal violence linked to competition over land, resources, and identity continues to generate recurrent displacement and deepen protection concerns.

In 2025, NRC’s teams assisted approximately 350,000 people directly through a multi-sectoral response across the displacement cycle NRC’s programming includes Cash assistance, emergency response, Education, Shelter, WASH, legal assistance, and efforts aimed at promoting protection, resilience, and pathways to durable solutions. The organization plays a key role in humanitarian coordination, including hosting the INGO forum and leading the Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Working Group.

Find out more about NRC https://www.nrc.no/ and Watch this short video to see NRC in action https://vimeo.com/736782633

What we are looking for

NRC is seeking for a Country Director with solid leadership experience, a proven track record in programming and fundraising, and the ability to position NRC as a trusted partner among donors.

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of NRC’s country operations, ensuring effective programme delivery, strong representation—including active engagement in inter-agency coordination—and alignment with organizational priorities. You will also drive resource mobilization, advocacy, and the development of high-performing teams to deliver impactful, accountable humanitarian responses.

What you will do

• Analyse the political and humanitarian context and adapt the NRC programme ensuring relevance to the evolving context in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin
• Prioritize continuous improvement and innovation to ensure the highest quality of humanitarian and protection programming with a focus on timely delivery
• Motivate and coach staff to create effective teams, with particular attention to ensuring an efficient and empowered Country Management Group
• Promote accountability, the highest standard of ethics, including safeguarding, and adherence to the Humanitarian Principles
• Responsible for all NRC advocacy efforts in the country and ensure that contributions are made to NRC regional and global advocacy efforts
• Develop and enforce policies to promote and maintain diverse staff at all levels
• Provide vision, promote ideas, gain agreement and act as a role model
• Serve as a proactive member of the Regional Management Group, promote collaboration with other COs and the Regional office and contribute to the development of the Central and West Africa Region as a whole
• Actively engage with other COs, engaged in the Nigerian refugee response to ensure holistic advocacy and programming
• Ensure that all staff retention and rotation is discussed with Regional Director.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position NRC Job Description Country Director Nigeria.pdf

What you will bring

1.Professional Competencies

• Minimum 5 years’ experience from working as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the context in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin
• Experience from advocacy work
• Experience with change management processes

2.Behavioural competencies

• Handling insecure environment
• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Analysing
• Communication with impact and respect
• Coping with change

Leadership Profile-

• Build meaningful relations
• Act with integrity
• Empower people
• Deliver results

What we offer

• Duty station: Abuja, Nigeria
• Contract: 24 months with possibility of extension
• Salary&Benefits: Grade 12 on NRC’s salary scale
• 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 https://www.nrc.no/career/what-we-offer/
• Kindly send any questions about the application process to: cwa.recruitment@nrc.no. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Please check your application status on your NRC application profile.

How to apply

https://ekum.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2019/job/20623