Country Portfolio Manager

The International Programs Department is responsible for maximizing Save the Children Norway’s long term development and humanitarian contributions to achieve Save the Children’s strategic objectives.  

We are now seeking a Country Portfolio Manager for a temporary position (parental leave cover, for minimum 12 months) in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Section. The Country Portfolio Manager will be working with countries in the Middle East, mainly Syria and Yemen.  

The Country Portfolio Manager, together with the Area Director, is responsible for managing Save the Children Norway’s programmatic portfolio in the program countries, in line with Save the Children’s strategy, the country strategic priorities and Save the Children’s and our donors’ award management guidelines and instructions to grow and maintain the portfolio and to ensure an effective implementation of the different awards. As Country Portfolio Manager you will work closely with Save the Children Country Offices and coordinate with other members.  

Areas of responsibilities and/or tasks  

As Country Portfolio Manager you will have the full cycle responsibility for the projects in your portfolio. Tasks include:  

• Follow-up the award management of Save the Children (SCN) programming in the region, including proposal design and development, monitoring project activities, achieved results and financial spending, and ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements, in close contact with Country Offices  
• Be the first point of contact for country offices with regards to day-to-day communication on: awards, requests for support, context and programmatic updates, and active humanitarian responses.  
• Identifying, assessing and providing advice on new opportunities, supporting on relevant risk and go/no go processes for new opportunities  
• Support the internal coordination with advisers from other sections and departments at SCN to ensure good cooperation on joint deliverables  
• Support in donor engagement; take part in donor meetings, at donor head office level and at the country office level and participate in relevant internal and external networks and foras  

Qualifications, experience and skills  

• Documented experience in leading successful proposal development processes, and in managing awards from institutional donors  
• International experience from the development and/or humanitarian sector, and a thorough understanding of programmatic, financial and contractual aspects in global aid  
• Relevant higher education, bachelor level or higher (can be replaced by extensive relevant work experience)  
• Documented experience from similar role is preferable  
• Experience from working in the MENA region is an asset  
• Fluency in English both verbal and written is required. Arabic language skills is an asset, as is knowledge of Norwegian or other Scandinavian language.  

To succeed in this position, we believe that you:   

• Use a methodical and systematic approach; plans ahead, defines clear priorities and allocates time and resources effectively  
• have good planning, coordination and process lead capacity and collaboration skills, and is used to working in diverse teams  
• are committed to achieving high quality results  
• communicate in a clear, precise and structured way  

What we offer  

At Save the Children Norway, you will have a meaningful job in a strong professional environment with both engaged and friendly colleagues. We maintain an informal tone, have short reporting lines, and offer great opportunities to take responsibility and make a difference. Salaries are determined according to our salary policy, and we have excellent pension and insurance schemes. In addition, we offer:  

• Flexible working hours with a balance between working at the office and the possibility of working elsewhere  
• Time off between Christmas and New Year in addition to five weeks of vacation  
• Accommodation for various needs and life stages, including extra days off for all employees  
• A great office at Hasle, Oslo – universally designed including a tele-loop, and among other things, awarded "World’s Most Sustainable Commercial Building 2024" in the Architizer A+Awards  
• Indoor bicycle parking, changing rooms, and drying room  

At Save the Children, we strive for the greatest possible diversity among our employees, as it strengthens our ability to fulfill our mission in the best possible way. We know that a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences contribute to innovative solutions and a stronger organization. Therefore, we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  

Feel free to check out "our everyday life" on LinkedIn for insight into what it’s like to work with us.  

Save the Children takes child safeguarding seriously, which is why a valid police certificate is required for employment with us.  

Applications with CV should be submitted via our recruitment system. Applications sent outside our system will not be considered.  

Deadline for applications is March 14th. Starting date is May/June, depending on availability of successful candidate. Questions around the position can be sent to HR Partner Tom- Stian Vetting, tom-stian.vetting at reddbarna.no.