Head of Inter-Agency Working Group – East and Central Africa (Nairobi)

Published: May 4, 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Organization: Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) – hosting the IAWG
Job Type: International contract, 2 years
Salary Grade: Grade 11 on NRC international salary scale

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) , a prominent member-led platform of 31 international NGOs operating across Eastern Africa and the Great Lakes region, is seeking an experienced leader to serve as its next Head of IAWG for East and Central Africa.

This strategic role is hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) at its East and Southern Regional Office in Nairobi. The successful candidate will provide high-level coordination, advocacy, and representation for NGO members working in some of the world’s most complex humanitarian and protracted crisis contexts.

Why This Role Matters

The IAWG is not a typical coordinating body. It is an active, member-driven platform that works to:

• Strengthen humanitarian and sustainable development outcomes across the region.

• Enhance coordination and technical expertise among NGOs.

• Challenge and improve the broader aid community.

• Ensure NGO perspectives shape regional humanitarian priorities, policies, partnerships, and resource decisions.

The Head of IAWG serves as the primary convenor, strategist, and external representative at both regional and global levels.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Set and drive the IAWG’s strategic direction in line with its Charter and multi-year strategy.

• Lead strategic reviews and future planning, adapting to evolving humanitarian, political, climate, and security dynamics.

• Provide regular high-level reporting and advice to the 7-member governing Steering Committee.

2. Collective NGO Coordination

• Convene and facilitate senior-level coordination among NGO Regional Directors.

• Enable coherence, complementarity, and shared positioning across 31 member organisations.

• Oversee the effective functioning of IAWG working groups and collective initiatives.

3. Advocacy and Policy Influence

• Position the IAWG as a credible, authoritative regional NGO voice.

• Lead the development of common policy positions, messages, and advocacy priorities.

• Represent agreed NGO positions in regional and global policy and decision-making forums.

4. External Representation and Partnerships

• Act as the primary IAWG representative with UN agencies, regional institutions, donors, and humanitarian partners.

• Build strategic relationships that advance collective NGO objectives.

• Strengthen alignment with country-level NGO fora and global NGO platforms.

5. Institutional Sustainability and Governance

• Ensure financial sustainability and institutional credibility.

• Lead resource mobilization for core operations, analysis, and advocacy capacity.

• Support sound governance, transparency, and accountability to members.

6. Secretariat Oversight

• Ensure effective delivery, performance management, and compliance with host agency (NRC) systems.

Note: The above responsibilities are a summary. Please refer to the full job description for complete details.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership and systems thinking.

• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and representational skills.

• Excellent analytical and policy writing abilities.

• Ability to build consensus across diverse organizations and mandates.

• High-level communication and public speaking skills.

What NRC Offers

• Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

• Salary/Benefits: Grade 11 on NRC’s international salary scale

• Contract Duration: 2 years

• Work Culture: NRC empowers employees at all levels to share ideas, take initiative, and grow professionally. The organisation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.

Important Application Information

This position is open to expatriates who meet the selection criteria.

How to Apply

1. Internal NRC candidates only: Log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.

2. Create your profile: Use your full name as given on your passport. Complete all required fields for experience, employment history, and education.

3. Submit: Your application and CV must be in English. Attach your latest CV.

Note

• Applications that do not meet minimum experience or qualification standards will generally not be considered.

• Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Questions?

Email ESA Recruitment at esa.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

About the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

NRC is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. With 15,000 staff working in crises across 40 countries, NRC provides life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. All employees must:

• Treat everyone with respect and dignity.

• Contribute to building a safe environment for all.

• Never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment, and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment (SEAH).

• Always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse, and SEAH.

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