Head of Unit Peace and Democracy

NORCAP works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crisis and climate change. We do this by providing expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding partners, because we believe working together is the best way to reduce needs, risks and vulnerability over time. We seek and promote more effective ways of working at the global level and in the field. NORCAP’s aim is not only to reduce needs, but also to create choice and opportunity for vulnerable people. NORCAP works with and through our partners to improve aid in two complementary ways:

• We provide targeted expertise to strengthen our partners’ response.
• We collaborate with partners to develop solutions to un‑met gaps and challenges.
 

This role is central to advancing NORCAP’s work on peace, democracy, human rights, rule of law, and credible elections across global and national systems. It sits within the Climate Action, Peace and Democracy portfolio and contributes directly to strengthening partners’ ability to prevent violence, build trust in institutions, and support inclusive democratic processes.
 

As the Head of Unit for Peace and Democracy, you will lead a specialised team responsible for shaping NORCAP’s strategic direction, partnerships, and delivery across democracy support, peacebuilding, human rights, and rule of law. The role steers programme and policy development, ensures high‑quality implementation, strengthens operational systems, and enables the unit’s staff and experts to deliver measurable impact. It is based in Oslo with approximately 10% travel and reports to the Climate Action, Peace and Democracy Director.

As the Head of Unit, Peace and Democracy, you will take on the following responsibilities:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Translate NORCAP’s strategy into clear plans, priorities, and targets for the Peace and Democracy Unit, ensuring strong alignment with organisational goals.
• Lead, mentor, and manage unit staff, overseeing recruitment, induction, performance management, workforce planning, and duty of care for staff in Oslo and experts on assignment.
• Provide overarching programme leadership by assuring quality delivery against time, cost, scope, and risk parameters, including financial oversight, internal reporting, and donor‑facing results reporting.
• Strengthen cross‑unit collaboration, ensuring learning, evidence, and best practices are shared and embedded across NORCAP’s global portfolio.
• Lead strategy development for the thematic area, initiating new initiatives, supporting teams with technical direction, and ensuring systematic risk assessment and mitigation.
• Develop, maintain, and quality‑assure key partnerships with international, regional, and national stakeholders, including shaping donor engagement, fundraising, and thematic inputs to proposals.
• Ensure effective daily operations within the unit, including oversight of workflows, resource allocation, team set‑up and closure, and timely decision‑making when progress is off track.

Critical interfaces

In this role, you will work closely with:

• Strategy and Learning Unit (NORCAP)
• Partnership, Quality and Programme Support section (NORCAP), including finance and fundraising teams
• Relevant thematic sections and teams across NORCAP and NRC Field Offices
• NORCAP HR for recruitment and HR matters related to international assignments

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field and at least 10 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 3 years in a managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience in programme management, business development, fundraising, and donor engagement.
• Given the role´s extensive engagement with Norwegian stakeholders, including the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the successful candidate is expected to have a broad and established professional network that supports effective collaboration and trusted relationships.
• Strong understanding of peacebuilding, democracy support, human rights, rule of law, and related global policy frameworks.
• Experience working in international contexts and across both humanitarian and development systems.
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Norwegian, with proven ability to represent an organisation credibly to external partners.

Please read the attached