Country Director Nigeria

Country Director Nigeria | NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council

Country Director Nigeria

NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council Abuja National Senior level Speaks English, French

Application deadline: May 01, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

NRC is seeking a Country Director for Nigeria to provide strategic leadership and oversight of country operations amidst a complex humanitarian crisis. The role involves ensuring effective program delivery, strong representation, and alignment with organizational priorities. The Country Director will drive resource mobilization, advocacy, and develop high-performing teams to deliver impactful humanitarian responses. The position requires a solid leadership background and a proven track record in programming and fundraising.

Candidate Requirements:

Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian context

Experience in complex and volatile contexts

Proven results related to responsibilities

Knowledge of leadership skills/profile

Fluency in French and English

Knowledge of Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin context

Experience in advocacy work

Experience with change management processes

Handling insecure environments

Planning and delivering results

Working with people

Analysing

Effective communication

Coping with change

Leadership skills

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      and Watch this short video to see NRC in action    

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       

Kindly send any questions about the application process   to:   .   Applications sent via email will not be accepted.   Please check your application status on your NRC application profile.

At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Summary by Impactpool

NRC is seeking a Country Director for Nigeria to provide strategic leadership and oversight of country operations amidst a complex humanitarian crisis. The role involves ensuring effective program delivery, strong representation, and alignment with organizational priorities. The Country Director will drive resource mobilization, advocacy, and develop high-performing teams to deliver impactful humanitarian responses. The position requires a solid leadership background and a proven track record in programming and fundraising.

Candidate Requirements:

Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian context

Experience in complex and volatile contexts

Proven results related to responsibilities

Knowledge of leadership skills/profile

Fluency in French and English

Knowledge of Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin context

Experience in advocacy work

Experience with change management processes

Handling insecure environments

Planning and delivering results

Working with people

Analysing

Effective communication

Coping with change

Leadership skills

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