The NGO NRC is looking for a Country Director
Context
Cameroon is facing three complex humanitarian crises: displacement due to violence in the Lake Chad Basin and in the North-West and South-West regions, as well as the presence of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) in the eastern areas. Brutally violent and frequent attacks against civilian populations have marked the crisis in the Far North region.
The 2024 Cameroon Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) identifies more than 450,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and 195,000 returnees affected by ongoing violence in the Far North. The socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions has resulted in 583,113 IDPs and 65,697 refugees in Nigeria. The continuing conflict in the CAR has led to an influx of over 280,000 refugees into the East, Adamawa, and North regions of Cameroon.
NRC began its operations in Cameroon in 2017. From our field offices in Bamenda, Batouri, Buea, Kousseri, and Maroua, we implement programmes in Education, Legal Assistance, Shelter, Livelihoods and Food Security, and WASH.
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
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Cameroon is seeking a Country Director with experience in humanitarian or recovery contexts, who will lead a dedicated team of over 174 colleagues to develop, grow, and deliver quality humanitarian programmes.
In this role, you will be expected to lead the development and execution of the country strategy, oversee the implementation of quality humanitarian programmes, and ensure the safety and security of all staff, with a focus on contingency planning and security management. Furthermore, given the three complex humanitarian situations, a good understanding of the context and of the central Sahel will be essential, as well as cultural sensitivity to balance and navigate the complexity of the environment.
What you will do
The following is a brief description of the role:
• Analyse the political and humanitarian context and adapt the NRC programme to ensure relevance and strategic growth within Cameroon's evolving context
• Motivate and coach staff to build effective teams, with particular attention to ensuring an efficient and empowered Country Management Group
• Promote accountability, the highest standards of ethics (including safeguarding), and adherence to humanitarian principles
• Be responsible for all NRC advocacy efforts in Cameroon and ensure contributions to NRC regional and global advocacy initiatives
• Develop and enforce policies to promote and maintain staff diversity at all levels
• Provide vision, promote ideas, gain agreement, and act as a role model
• Serve as a proactive member of the Extended Regional Management Group, foster collaboration with other Country Offices and the Regional Office, and contribute to the development of the Central and West Africa Region as a whole
• Actively engage with the Nigeria Country Office as part of the Lake Chad Basin crisis, as well as with the CAR Country Office, to ensure holistic advocacy and programming
Please download the detailed job description (Job Description_Country Director Cameroon) to learn more about the position.
What you will bring
• Professional competencies
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in Senior Management and/or as a Country Director in a humanitarian or recovery context
• Experience working in complex and volatile environments
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge of your own leadership skills and profile
• Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal
• Context-specific skills, knowledge, and experience:
- Knowledge of the context in the central Sahel
- Experience in advocacy work
- Experience with change management processes
• Behavioural competencies
• Strategic thinking
• Handling insecure environments
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
What we offer
• Duty station: Yaoundé, Cameroon
• Contract: 24 months with possibility of extension
• Travel: up to 35% internal travel
• Salary/benefits: Grade 12 on NRC’s scale, with family duty station full package
NB: NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or 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.
All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: https://ekum.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/…
Apply before: 05/19/2026, 18:00 PM (May 19, 2026).
NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or 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.
All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: https://ekum.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/…
Apply before: 05/19/2026, 18:00 PM (May 19, 2026).