Country Director Syria

Deine Aufgabenbereiche

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall strategic leadership and direction for Help's Syria program.
• Lead the implementation and regular review of the country strategy in close coordination with HQ.
• Drive the continued development and implementation of Help's localization approach across all program and operational areas.
• Identify strategic opportunities for program growth, innovation, and organizational development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning and improvement, encouraging open feedback and a constructive approach to learning from mistakes.
• Ensure alignment between country operations and Help's global strategy, policies, and humanitarian principles.

Representation, External Relations & Fundraising

• Represent Help towards national and local authorities, donors, embassies, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships that strengthen Help's visibility, credibility, and operational access.
• Lead donor engagement and identify new funding opportunities.
• Oversee development of high-quality project concepts and funding proposals with partners, the country team, and HQ.
• Promote Help's mission, values, and strategic priorities in all external engagements.

Localisation & Partnership Management

• Lead the implementation and continuous development of Help's localization strategy in Syria.
• Foster equitable, transparent, and long-term partnerships with Syrian civil society organizations.
• Oversee partner identification, assessment, due diligence and capacity sharing
• Promote mutual accountability, shared ownership, and organizational learning.
• Support partners in strengthening organizational systems, program quality, and compliance capacities.

Programme Leadership & Quality Assurance

• Provide strategic oversight of all program activities implemented through local partners.
• Ensure timely, high-quality, and accountable program implementation.
• Oversee program planning, MEAL, procurement, financial management, visibility, and reporting.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management.

People Leadership & Country Office Management

• Develop, empower, and support the professional growth of the country team, fostering individual development, ownership, and high performance.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between departments, partners, regional structures, and HQ.
• Promote staff development and ensure performance management.
• Ensure effective operational management of the country team.

Financial, Compliance & Risk Management

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for country budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation, and financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, organizational policies, and legal requirements.
• Promote effective internal controls and proactive risk management.
• Ensure the effective implementation of safeguarding, PSEAH, and CFR mechanisms as well as anti-fraud and anti-corruption measures throughout the country program.

Safety & Security

• Ensure development, implementation, and regular review of security management systems.
• Promote informed operational decision-making based on evolving security developments.
• Safeguard the security and mental and physical well-being of staff, partner staff, and organizational assets.

Stellenumfang

100%

Ort

Damascus, Syria (with frequent travel within Syria)

Vertragsdauer

Initially one year with the possibility of extension. Expected Start Date: 01 September 2026

Berichtsweg

HQ Programme Coordinator – Middle East & South-Central Asia

Überzeuge uns durch

Education

• Master's degree in International Humanitarian Action, Development Studies, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant field.
• Additional technical qualifications are considered an asset.

Professional Experience

• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian or development cooperation.
• At least seven years in a senior country leadership position within an international NGO.
• Proven experience of working through local implementing partners and leading localization processes.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with headquarters, regional support functions, and diverse international stakeholders in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong experience in donor relations and fundraising.
• Proven track record of developing successful project proposals for institutional donors (e.g. GFFO, BMZ, EU, KfW, UN agencies or similar)

Personal Competencies

• Strategic leadership and vision
• Integrity and sound judgement
• Excellent communication, representation and diplomatic skills
• Strong people leadership and team development skills
• Cultural sensitivity
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Ability to work in complex humanitarian environments
• Commitment to accountability, ethical leadership and continuous learning

Sprachen

Language skills

• Excellent written and spoken Arabic (mandatory).
• Excellent written and spoken English (mandatory).

Was wir bieten

• A senior leadership position within an international humanitarian organization.
• The opportunity to shape Help's localization approach in Syria.
• A collaborative international working environment.
• Professional development opportunities.
• A competitive salary package in accordance with organisational policies