Have you thought about how many practical things must work in order for a company or an agency to function?

At Norec we have a group of staff who ensure that Norec’s workplace operations operate smoothly and seamlessly. 

These staff perform a number of tasks that only they can do, and which are essential so that staff in other sections can do their jobs. We speak of course of Norec’s governance team. 

 – To be a bit simplistic, you could say that we “serve” the rest of the office. Our team has quite a lot of expertise and training in a number of fields, and each member of our team plays a key role in the company, says Head of Section Anne Lise Bekjorden. 

Many of the essential tasks are the same ones that make any workplace function. Someone has to make sure that our salaries are paid at the right time, someone has to balance the books, and someone has to ensure that the staff are treated fairly and are enjoying themselves at work. 

Someone must ensure that our archives are organized correctly, that our computers get the help they need when they suddenly go on strike, that we follow all governing rules and regulations, and last but not least, that our partners receive their grant funds and use them as planned. 

If you make contact with Norec, there’s a good chance that someone in the governance section will be the first to receive your inquiry. Here are some of the key players in the section, so that you can get to know them even better. 

Norec’s Governance Section 

Anne Lise Bekjorden

Position: Head of Section, Governance 

– I’m trained as an editor and a teacher, and have lived here in Førde for over 30 years. Norec’s central values like reciprocity and equality were important reasons that I applied to work with Norec. I’m also glad to have had the opportunity to work with people who lead truly inspiring and meaningful lives. 

– What does your job entail? 

– My job is divided between management responsibilities and everything that falls under the umbrella of accounting and economics. In a department with expertise in so many diverse fields, one can’t be an expert in everything. So my main competence lies in accounting, payroll, and internal controls. In addition, I ensure that all of our partners receive their payments on time, so that they have the funds they need to achieve their goals.  

Linn Helen Evensen

Position: Document Controller and Archive Manager 

– My career with Norec began as soon as the company moved to Førde in August 2018. I applied here because I liked the social mission of Norec, and I wanted to be a part of (hopefully) making a difference. Earlier in my career I had experience as a case manager at Helse Førde.  

– What does your job entail? 

– As a state agency, we are subject to the Archive Act, which has strict rules about everything that we must archive. As the Archive Manager I ensure the operation and management of our archive system. Norec wants to be “best in class” in digital archiving. We were therefore first to integrate Microsoft Teams with our archive, to ensure that our work within Teams would also be archived. In addition, I am responsible for Norec’s governing documents and goals. You could say that I ensure that all of our routines, procedures, and policies are up to date.  

Trine Lise Sagmo

Position: Controller

– Originally I’m from northern Norway, but 17 years ago I ended up on a farm in Sunnfjord. I studied geography and agricultural economics, finishing my education with a master’s degree in Social Economics. My work life began with seven years as an auditor, and then eight years as a controller within public transportation in the municipality. Ever since I had moved to Førde, Norec had been on my radar, and I was waiting for the right position to apply for. In the fall of 2020, the perfect position came up, and now I have worked here for a little over a year.  

– What does your job entail? 

– As a controller at Norec, I help the program advisers to understand and evaluate the audits and accounting information that comes as part of the application decision process. In addition, I help with the same tasks when projects we support, which are underway, file their interim reports. If a project has unused funds, I am the one who claims them back when the project is finished. Øyvind and I make up Norec’s notification team. This means that we follow up if there is a notification of suspicion of objectionable conditions or malpractice. Apart from this, I work with budgets and forecasts linked to recruitment for international organisations. 

Heidi Fluge

Position: Senior Administration Consultant 

– With an education in textile arts and regenerative cultivation, you might wonder how I ended up with Norec. Throughout my work life I have acquired extensive experience in administrative work. When Norec advertised the position for an administration consultant, I knew in the blink of an eye it was the right job for me. 

– What does your job entail? 

– Mainly I work with paying out grants to all of our partner projects which Norec supports around the world. In addition I help the archive team with tasks like record keeping, case closures, and electronic inspections. I also take care of Norec’s mail and switchboard. If you call us or send us mail, there’s a good chance it will come to me. As office manager, I am also in charge of repairs when things break, and in-house purchasing. 

Camilla Valvik

Position: Senior Adviser, HR 

– Even though I have a master’s degree in comparative politics, after I got the master’s I chose to continue my studies within the field of HR. The last ten years I’ve worked in HR both at Eviny (formerly BKK) and Fjaler municipality. When Norec advertised the position for a senior adviser in HR, I couldn’t resist applying. Norec’s mission, and the opportunity to work in an international work environment, were essential reasons that I applied. 

– What does your job entail? 

– The HR job is varied and rewarding. My work assignments have a lot to do with providing good service within the professional areas of payroll and personnel. I also contribute by advising the management team about HR questions. In addition, recruiting is an important part of the job, both for the positions here at Norec and with the team that works with positions at international organisations like the UN and the World Bank. 

Pablo Dourojeanni

Position: Adviser

– My professional career started in my home country, Peru, in the early 2000s. As a geographer, I mainly worked on conservation and sustainable development in cooperation with grassroots organizations in the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. This gave me a solid understanding of what international development looks like in practice and opened the door for me to join Norec. I moved to Førde and started working at Norec almost simultaneously, which turned out to be a perfect match.

– What does your job entail? 

– In my current position at Norec, I have a wide range of responsibilities. This makes my daily work both challenging and engaging. I work with the technological development of Norec’s systems, ensure security and preparedness for business trips, support Norec’s efforts in corporate environmental responsibility and reporting, and serve as the organization’s safety representative.

Thomas Viken

Position: ICT manager

– I have a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. Even though I come from Vestlandet, I moved to Oslo for my education, and it was there that I began my career. After 7 years I wanted to move back to Vestlandet. Luckily enough, I got the job at Norec as I was moving back from Oslo to Førde, and I got the opportunity to try my luck in my old stomping grounds. 

– What does your job entail? 

– When the technology stops working, I’m the one to call. As an ICT specialist I’m responsible for administering all of our ICT systems, for example our monitors, keyboards, and computers. This includes both the purchase and maintenance of the equipment, and follow-up with our suppliers and contracted consultants. I also participate in various projects and specialized processes where I can contribute my expertise.