Head of Support Switzerland

About us – NRC Geneva

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Geneva leads NRC’s representation with the IASC and UN agencies and coordinates donor engagement with the UN and Swiss donors. NRC strives to assist and protect vulnerable and displaced people during crises, especially in situations of conflict. Established in 1946, NRC is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organization working in around 30 countries.

About the role

The purpose of the Head of Support role is to ensure that the Support Unit provides high quality and efficient support for programme implementation across all NRC units or projects in Switzerland including the Representation Office (NRC Geneva) and IDMC. In addition, diverse support services are provided to ACAPS, NORCAP deployees, hosted staff, and sub-tenant organisations based in Geneva.

Roles and responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR support and legal advice on staffing, recruitment, and overall human resource management to NRC Geneva and IDMC Directors, heads of departments, and line managers, in accordance with Swiss employment law;
• Act as a focal point for NRC Geneva and IDMC with SAJEC, and Geneva-based international NGO networks.
• Lead a team of support staff, providing coaching and support as appropriate to ensure high-quality support services;
• Ensure that NRC local policies and procedures across all support services are in line with its global handbooks and guidelines, adapted as necessary to ensure compliance within the Geneva and/or the Swiss context;
• Guide and advise staff Directors and managers to ensure compliance with NRC policies, guidelines, handbooks and donor/audit requirements;
• Manage the Support Unit’s budget, ensuring adequate and fair-share contributions from all supported entities, and efficient and effective use of existing and future resources;
• Manage support contracts and external service providers, including for legal services, HR and payroll administration, and ICT services, ensuring optimised high standard of service alongside value for money;
• Manage agreements with, and provide support to, IDMC, ACAPS, other NRC departments or offices for hosted staff, NORCAP for Geneva-based deployees, subtenant organizations, and any other relevant initiatives;
• Oversee facility management and creatively ensure optimised use of available space;
• Maintain appropriate communication and reporting to all relevant social insurance providers, authorities, and tax administration, ensuring full compliance with local regulations;
• Provide other ad-hoc or regular support, as requested and agreed with the NRC Geneva and IDMC Directors.

You can learn more about the role by viewing the full Job Description

As our prospective candidate, you have the following;

• Minimum 5 years’ experience from a management position responsible for support functions;
• Line management experience;
• Demonstrated Human Resources management experience and solid knowledge of Swiss employment law;
• Relevant master’s degree in Human Resource Management, business administration or any other relevant academic background, combined with professional experience covering all areas of support;
• Documented experience in process improvement and change management;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and French;
• Demonstrated knowledge of managing support functions in Switzerland;
• Experience managing and influencing in complex matrix environments;

We can offer

• A permanent position;
• A place in a strongly committed, international team dedicated to people forced to flee;
• An opportunity to utilize your skills to provides high quality and efficient support for programme implementation across all NRC units or projects in Switzerland including the Representation Office (NRC Geneva) and IDMC;
• Salary and benefits according to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions.

The location for this position is Geneva, Switzerland. Candidates with a Swiss/EU/EFTA nationality or a valid work permit for Switzerland will be prioritised for this role.

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values; To be dedicated, innovative, inclusive, and accountable are attitudes and beliefs that shall guide our actions and relationships.