--- title: "Our humanitarian policy and representation office in Geneva" description: "Located in one of the key centres for multilateralism, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) Geneva office serves as a strategic hub for both partnerships with relevant actors and humanitarian policy and advocacy." url: "https://www.nrc.no/countries/nrc-representation-offices/nrc-geneva" language: "en" published: "2016-04-02T16:45:00Z" modified: "2026-10-01T12:47:11Z" --- ![Yamama, 9 years old, playing with her kite at Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan.](https://www.nrc.no/contentassets/36e6b91a567e40758ec9462ad6d5f018/nrc-representation-office---geneva.jpg) # Our humanitarian policy and representation office in Geneva Yamama, 9 years old, playing with her kite at Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan. Photo: Hussein Amri/NRC Located in one of the key centres for multilateralism, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) Geneva office serves as a strategic hub for both partnerships with relevant actors and humanitarian policy and advocacy. Updated 01. Oct 2026 ## Partnerships NRC Geneva’s Partnerships team works to enhance and foster strategic institutional partnerships with the Swiss government, UN agencies and stakeholders in the Gulf region. Among others, this includes strong engagement with OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, Education Cannot Wait, WFP, the Global Partnership for Education and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), as well as donors based in Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Working closely with our Humanitarian Financing colleagues, we advocate for improved donor conditions and flexibilities to enhance the quality of our humanitarian operations. We also support NRC country offices to understand the rules and regulations of their grant agreements, offering capacity building and learning opportunities for NRC colleagues on donor procedures and engagement. ### United Nations Security Council NRC Geneva leads NRC’s thematic engagement with the members of the United Nations Security Council in New York. This involves both public advocacy and private diplomacy on a range of policy issues including the protection of civilians, counterterrorism and sanctions measures, and climate-induced conflict. NRC USA leads our country-specific engagement with Council members. ## Policy and Advocacy The Geneva Representation Office also hosts NRC’s Policy and Advocacy Section (PAS) which is made up of humanitarian policy and advocacy experts engaged with states, donors, bodies, fora and processes across crises and global capitals. Our policy and partnerships work is directly informed by NRC’s operational experience across the 40 countries where we work to ensure that the voices of displaced populations are guiding and influencing key decisions about their futures. NRC aims to ensure that global diplomacy and multilateral efforts are directed towards the following: 1. Protecting and promoting principled humanitarian action; 2. Achieving improved access to operate in hard-to-reach areas; 3. Supporting a comprehensive approach that enables displaced people greater access to durable solutions; 4. Preventing future displacement; 5. Improving funding mechanisms to respond to crises and provide protection to forcibly displaced people, and; 6. Supporting integration of climate and environmental sustainability in humanitarian policies, funding, programmes and operations. Coordination is instrumental to advance the humanitarian policy agenda. Building on operational experience, NRC plays a key role in several interagency coordination platforms: **Coordination platforms** - NRC is a member of the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) Strategic Advisory Group - NRC leads the Housing Land and Property Component of the Settlement, Land and Shelter Cluster - NRC is the Deputy Chair of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Emergency Directors Group (EDG) - NRC is a member of the IASC Humanitarian Working Group - NRC is co-chair of the IASC Community of Practice to preserve humanitarian space ## Our work ### Humanitarian principles and access Ensuring that humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence remain at the core of humanitarian work. We advocate for the protection and promotion of principled humanitarian space among relevant stakeholders to ensure it stays high on the international agenda. NRC is committed to ensuring that everyone can access assistance based on their needs, in accordance with the provisions under International Humanitarian Law, including those in areas that are hard to reach. We also contribute to building NRC staff capacity on humanitarian principles, access, and negotiations. Read more about [humanitarian principles](https://www.nrc.no/what-we-do/speaking-up-for-rights/humanitarian-access) and [humanitarian access](https://www.nrc.no/what-we-do/speaking-up-for-rights/humanitarian-access2). **Publications** - [Humanitarian access architecture and tools in the humanitarian system](https://www.protecthumanitarianspace.com/resources/humanitarian-access-architecture-and-tools-humanitarian-system) (2025) - [Takeover: Access Coordination in Afghanistan – The Role of Access Working Groups in Supporting Engagement with Non-state Armed Groups and De-facto Authorities](https://www.protecthumanitarianspace.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/access-coordination-in-afghanistan.pdf) (2024) - [Cross-border: Access Coordination on north-west Syria – The Role of Access Working Groups in Supporting Engagement with Non-state Armed Groups and De-facto Authorities](https://www.protecthumanitarianspace.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/cross-border-access-coordination-in-north-west-syria_v2.pdf) (2024) - [Enabling Access Coordination: The Role of the Mali Working Group](https://www.protecthumanitarianspace.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/the-role-of-the-mali-working-group_english.pdf) (2024) - [Humanitarian Access Working Group Toolkit](https://www.protecthumanitarianspace.com/toolkits/humanitarian-access-working-group-toolkit/toolkit-overview) (2023) - [Presence and Proximity: To Stay and Deliver, Five Years On](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/presence-and-proximity-to-stay-and-deliver-five-years-on) (2017) - [Humanitarian Principles in Practice](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/humanitarian-principles-in-practice) (2016) - [Challenges to Principled Humanitarian Action: Perspectives from Four Countries](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/nrc-hi-report_web.pdf) (2016) ### Impact of counterterrorism measures and sanctions on principled humanitarian action Counterterrorism measures and sanctions regimes can have a range of negative impacts on principled humanitarian action, including placing limitations on affected populations’ ability to access assistance. For humanitarian organisations, they can limit our ability to engage with non-state armed groups (NSAGs), provide assistance to people based on their needs alone, and restrict our access to financial services. NRC is the leading NGO voice on this issue and has invested significantly in documenting the challenges and in raising awareness. Our engagement with key counterterrorism and sanctions stakeholders has helped to mitigate the impact of these measures on our work and on the communities we assist. **Publications** - [Operationalising protection: best practices for humanitarian safeguards in sanctions and counterterrorism frameworks](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/operationalising-protection-best-practices-for-humanitarian-safeguards-in-sanctions-and-counterterrorism-frameworks) (2025) - [Humanitarian Organisations’ Use of Money Service Providers](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/humanitarian-organisations-use-of-money-service-providers) (2025) - [Enhancing Humanitarian Payment Channels To Regions Impacted By Sanctions And Counterterrorism Measures: Insights And Recommendations From The Financial Sector](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/overcoming-derisking-of-humanitarian-payment-channels-to-regions-impacted-by-sanctions-and-counterterrorism-measures) (2025) - [Toolkit for principled humanitarian action: managing counterterrorism and sanctions risks](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/toolkit-for-principled-humanitarian-action-2024) (2024) - NRC’s four-part ['Dialogue series on solutions to bank derisking'](https://www.protecthumanitarianspace.com/topics/nrcs-dialogue-series-solutions-bank-derisking) (2022-2023) - [Barriers to Afghanistan’s critical private sector recovery](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/barriers-to-afghanistans-critical-private-sector-recovery) (2023) - [Life and Death: NGO access to financial services in Afghanistan](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/life-and-death-ngo-access-to-financial-services-in-afghanistan) (2022) - [Toolkit for principled humanitarian action: managing counterterrorism risks](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/toolkit/nrc_risk_management_toolkit_principled_humanitarian_action2020.pdf) (2020) ([French version](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/toolkit/nrc_risk_management_toolkit_principled_humanitarian_action_french.pdf) and [Arabic version](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/toolkit/nrc_risk_management_toolkit_principled_humanitarian_action_arabic.pdf)) - [Practical Guide: project cycle management and counterterrorism risks](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/toolkit/nrc_practical_guide_pcm_and_counterterrorism_risks.pdf) (2020) - [Principles Under Pressure: the impact of counterterrorism measures and preventing / countering violent extremism on principled humanitarian action](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/principles-under-pressure) (2018) - [Study of the impact of donor counterterrorism measures on principled humanitarian action](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/study-of-the-impact-of-donor-counterterrorism-measures-on-principled-humanitarian-action.pdf) (2013) ### Protection Protection is concerned with the safety, dignity and rights of people affected by violence and displacement. NRC’s protection policy work focuses on mobilising and enhancing the humanitarian community’s capacity to reduce risks for civilians in situations of armed conflicts. NRC supports states to uphold their commitment to protect civilians under international law and advocates for protection to be central to the humanitarian response. This is done through targeted engagement to: - promote more effective diplomacy and leadership to address risks faced by civilians in conflicts - build a better collective understanding of complex environments for the protection of civilians - promote compliance with international law and accountability for violations - ensure that humanitarian responses more effectively reduce protection risks [Read more about NRC’s protection work here](https://www.nrc.no/what-we-do/activities-in-the-field/protection-from-violence). **Publications** - [Practice Note: Continuity of Protection in Humanitarian Coordination Transitions](https://www.nrc.no/resources/guides/practice-note-continuity-of-protection-in-humanitarian-coordination-transitions) (2025) - [Protection After UN Peacekeeping Mission Departures: Considerations for Protection Actors Navigating Capacity Gaps](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/protection-after-un-peacekeeping-mission-departures-considerations-for-protection-actors-navigating-capacity-gaps) (2015) - [Protection of Civilians and Access Explainers](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/protection-of-civilians-and-access-explainers) (2024) - [Five ways to safeguard protection in development-oriented approaches to solutions to internal displacement](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/protection-in-solutions) (2024) - [Breaking the Glass Ceiling: a smarter approach to protection financing](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/breaking-the-glass-ceiling) (2020) - [Unprepared for re-integration](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cfe2c8927234e0001688343/t/5e33cebfe051ef5d56719e6d/1580453652247/Reintegration+Full+Report.pdf) (2019) and [executive summary](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cfe2c8927234e0001688343/t/5e33ce642b2d5a648e2daea2/1580453487204/Reintegration+Report+ES+WEB+2.pdf) - [Lessons from Responsibility Sharing Mechanisms](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/lessons-from-responsibility--sharing-mechanisms) (2017) - [Considerations for Planning Mass Evacuations](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/planning-mass-evacuations-in-conflict-settings) (2016) ### Humanitarian system strengthening Effective coordination is necessary to ensure that resources reach the most vulnerable people with an adequate and consistent quality of assistance in all locations. NRC has a strong institutional commitment to engage in, improve and strengthen the interagency coordination system. NRC is seeking to streamline coordination structures, improve interagency planning and prioritisation tools, and promote greater accountability for humanitarian leadership. [Read more about NRC’s work on humanitarian systems here](https://www.nrc.no/what-we-do/speaking-up-for-rights/humanitarian-system-strengthening). **Publications** - [A common approach to understanding needs across crisis-affected populations](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/a-common-approach-to-understanding-needs-across-crisis-affected-populations) (2025) - [Solutions from the start: maintaining humanitarian action on solutions to displacement after the funding crisis](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/solutions-from-the-start-maintaining-humanitarian-action-on-solutions-to-displacement-after-the-funding-crisis) (2025) - [Protection in the Humanitarian Reset: what we have done, will do, and what we need from others](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/protection-in-the-humanitarian-reset-what-we-have-done-will-do-and-what-we-need-from-others) (2025) - [Post-transition planning part 2: considerations for responding to HCT discussion questions](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/post-transition-planning-part-2-considerations-for-responding-to-hct-discussion-questions) (2025) - [Post-transition planning: suggested HCT discussion questions](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/post-transition-planning-suggested-hct-discussion-questions) (2025) - [Accelerated transitions: key takeaways from NRC internal discussions](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/accelerated-transitions-key-takeaways-from-nrc-internal-discussions) (2025) - [Cluster reform recommendations: additional questions for reflection](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/cluster-reform-recommendations-additional-questions-for-reflection) (2025) - [The humanitarian reset: What’s at stake, and what we’re doing about it](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/the-humanitarian-reset-whats-at-stake-and-what-were-doing-about-it) (2025) - [Reprioritisation of resources in refugee responses](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/reprioritisation-of-resources-in-refugee-responses) (2025) - [Recommendations for interagency coordination following the US funding withdrawal](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/recommendations-for-interagency-coordination-following-the-us-funding-withdrawal) (2025) - [Prioritizing resources at the interagency level after the US funding withdrawal](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/prioritizing-resources-at-the-interagency-level-after-the-us-funding-withdrawal) (2025) - [Recommendations for managing the impacts of the US funding freeze on interagency coordination](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/recommendations-for-managing-the-impacts-of-the-us-funding-freeze-on-interagency-coordination)(2025) - [Independent review of the implementation of the IASC Protection Policy](https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/sites/default/files/migrated/2022-05/Independent%20review%20of%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20IASC%20Protection%20Policy.pdf) (2022) ### Humanitarian financing NRC is a thought-leader within the humanitarian financing policy arena, with our humanitarian policy efforts focused on increasing the quantity and quality of funding. This is done through influencing global allocations and advocating for improvements in the flexibility and predictability of funding, as well as improving access to funding. We also work on supporting innovative financing mechanisms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian response. **Publications** - [Mind the Gap: NRC’s position on what to do when humanitarian funding can’t support everyone in need](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/mind-the-gap) (2025) - [Reflections on the way forward for OCHA’s CBPFs and RhPFs and broader pooled funds](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/reflections-on-the-way-forward-for-ochas-cbpfs-and-rhpfs-and-broader-pooled-funds) (2025) - [Donor funding allocations in the short-term following the shift in US government funding](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/donor-funding-allocations-in-the-short-term-following-the-shift-in-us-government-funding) (2025) - [Humanitarian Organisations’ Use of Money Service Providers](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/humanitarian-organisations-use-of-money-service-providers) (2025) - [Safeguarding humanitarian banking channels: how, why and by whom?](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/safeguarding-humanitarian-banking) (2023) - [Pooled funds: the new humanitarian silver bullet?](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/pooled-funds-the-new-humanitarian-silver-bullet) (2022) - [Development Actors and the Nexus; lessons from crises in Bangladesh, Cameroon and Somalia](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/development-actors-and-the-nexus-lessons-from-crises-in-bangladesh-cameroon-and-somalia) (2021) - [Make or Break: the implications of Covid-19 for crisis financing](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/make-or-break--the-implications-of-covid-19-for-crisis-financing) (2020) - [The programme-based approach: ten lessons](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/the-programme-based-approach-10-lessons) (2020) - [Funding Flaws Brief](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/funding-flaws) (2020) - [Country Based Pooled Funds: the NGO Perspective](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/country-based-pooled-funds-the-ngo-perspective) (2019) - [Financing the nexus from a field perspective](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/financing-the-nexus-gaps-and-opportunities-from-a-field-perspective) (2019) - [Living up to the promise of multi-year humanitarian financing](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/living-up-to-the-promise-of-multi-year-humanitarian-financing) (2017) - [Understanding humanitarian funds, going beyond CBFPs](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/understanding-humanitarian-funds---going-beyond-country-based-pooled-funds) (2014) - [Bridging the needs-based funding gap](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/bridging-the-needs-based-funding-gap---ngo-field-perspectives) (2014) **Grand Bargain Publications** - [*Catalogue of quality funding practices to the humanitarian response: 2nd edition (2024)*](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/catalogue-of-quality-funding-practices-to-the-humanitarian-response-2nd-edition) - [*Grand Bargain 2.0 Spotlight: NRC’s approach to operationalising the commitments (2023)*](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/briefing-notes/grand-bargain-spotlight/june-2023-nrc-approach-to-operationalising-commitments.pdf) - [*Grand Bargain 2.0 Spotlight: Quality Funding (2023)*](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/briefing-notes/grand-bargain-spotlight/june-2023-quality-funding.pdf) - [*Grand Bargain Spotlight; Reducing Earmarked Funding (2016)*](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/briefing-notes/grand-bargain-spotlight/2016-grand-bargain---earmarking.pdf) - [*GB – harmonisation and donor conditions (2016)*](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/briefing-notes/grand-bargain-spotlight/2016-grand-bargain---harmonisation.pdf) - [*Too important to bargain? The Grand Bargain For Efficiencies: A Briefing Note (2016)*](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/briefing-notes/grand-bargain-spotlight/2016-grand-bargain-overview_too-important-to-bargain.pdf) - [*Grand Bargain Spotlight; Increasing Multi-Year Funding (2016)*](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/briefing-notes/grand-bargain-spotlight/2016-grand-bargain---multi-year-funding.pdf) - [*Beyond the Grand Bargain (2018)*](https://www.grandbargain4ngos.org/upload/Brief_summary_-_Beyond_the_Grand_Bargain_-_7_March_2018_-_Michelle_Paim_5b276ab08b62f.pdf) - [*Grand Bargain Briefing Note (2018)*](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/the-grand-bargain-briefing-note) ### Latest publications ## [Beyond Short-Term Aid: Financing Durable Solutions for Displaced Afghans](https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/beyond-short-term-aid-financing-durable-solutions-for-displaced-afghans) 31. Aug 2026 | Afghanistan ## [The 5 Dos and Don'ts of Humanitarian Diplomacy](https://www.nrc.no/resources/briefing-notes/the-5-dos-and-donts-of-humanitarian-diplomacy) 08. Jul 2026 | Global ## [As local as possible, as international as necessary](https://www.nrc.no/resources/position-papers/as-local-as-possible-as-international-as-necessary) 08. Dec 2025 [More](https://www.nrc.no/search?searchCategories=124,131,132,175,178,314,351,155,339,340,341&searchMethod=1) **Contact NRC Geneva** **Cecilia Roselli** | Director [cecilia.roselli@nrc.no](mailto:cecilia.roselli@nrc.no) **Kaela Glass** | Head of Partnership Unit [kaela.glass@nrc.no](mailto:kaela.glass@nrc.no) **Emma OLeary** | Head of Humanitarian Policy Unit [emma.oleary@nrc.no](mailto:emma.oleary@nrc.no) **Caelin Briggs** | Senior Adviser Humanitarian Policy and Protection [caelin.briggs@nrc.no](mailto:caelin.briggs@nrc.no) **Cherise Chadwick** | Adviser Counterterrorism, Sanctions, Principled Humanitarian Action [cherise.chadwick@nrc.no](mailto:cherise.chadwick@nrc.no) **Lene Groenkjaer** | Adviser Nexus and Principled Humanitarian Action [lene.groenkjaer@nrc.no](mailto:lene.groenkjaer@nrc.no) **Clarissa Crippa** | Senior Policy Adviser to the Secretary-General [clarissa.crippa@nrc.no](mailto:clarissa.crippa@nrc.no) **Jim Robinson** | Coordinator GPC Housing, Land & Property AoR [jim.robinson@nrc.no](mailto:jim.robinson@nrc.no) **Anthony Nolan** | Global Lead Protection and Global Protection Cluster focal point [anthony.nolan@nrc.no](mailto:anthony.nolan@nrc.no) **Julie Gassien** | Global Lead Climate & Environment [julie.gassien@nrc.no](mailto:julie.gassien@nrc.no) **Nathan McGibney** | Senior Global Advocacy Adviser [nathan.mcgibney@nrc.no](mailto:nathan.mcgibney@nrc.no) **Mathilde Garcia-Lopez** | Institutional Partnership Coordinator [mathilde.garcialopez@nrc.no](mailto:mathilde.garcialopez@nrc.no) **Giulia Boo** | Institutional Partnerships Officer [giulia.boo@nrc.no](mailto:giulia.boo@nrc.no) **Elise Rech** | Protection from Violence Adviser [elise.rech@nrc.no](mailto:elise.rech@nrc.no) **Ellie Ward** | Humanitarian Policy Officer [ellie.ward@nrc.no](mailto:ellie.ward@nrc.no) **Blaise Fasel** | Communication and Advocacy Officer [blaise.fasel@nrc.no](mailto:blaise.fasel@nrc.no) **Yannick Fenner** | Head of Support [yannick.fenner@nrc.no](mailto:yannick.fenner@nrc.no) [Follow us on X here.](https://twitter.com/NRC_Geneva) NRC's [Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)](http://www.internal-displacement.org/) is also based in Geneva. The centre is the leading global source of information and analysis on internal displacement. Its data and analysis informs and influences policies by governments, UN agencies, donors and non-governmental organisations. It monitors internal displacement caused by conflict, violence, human rights violations and natural hazard-induced disasters. **For more information**, please contact: ![e-mail](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/graphics/icons/noun_390053.svg) [nrcgeneva.policy@nrc.no](mailto:nrcgeneva.policy@nrc.no) [![phone](https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/graphics/icons/noun_390057.svg)](mailto:nrcgeneva.policy@nrc.no)+41 22 552 3600 **Visit NRC Geneva:** 16 La Voie-Creuse (5th floor) 1202 Geneva Switzerland ## More on [#Humanitarian access](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=153) [#Humanitarian policy](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=339) [#Humanitarian development nexus](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=340) [#Humanitarian financing](https://www.nrc.no/themes?categoryId=341)