Country Director - Syria

We are currently recruiting a Country Director to successfully lead our operations in Syria.

This role will be based in Damascus, Syria - with significant travel across Syria.

About the Opportunity

Relief International is a global humanitarian organization that partners with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and wellbeing.

Relief International has been operational in Syria since 2012, implementing programming focused on Health and Protection, with integrated services in WASH, Nutrition and Livelihoods through both direct implementation and with partners.

The Country Director for Syria will lead Relief International's operations, guiding program strategies and ensuring effective implementation in Health, Protection, WASH, Nutrition, and Livelihoods. You will ensure safety and support the program's growth in a complex environment.

Highly visible both internally and externally, the Country Director will position RI as a leader in the development and humanitarian sector within the region.

RI's new Country Director for Syria is -

A Strategic Visionary. The Country Director will build on RI's activities since 2012 and translate it into actionable programs for excellence in Syria. This involves considering the needs and capacities of the communities RI serves, the capabilities RI has and needs to develop, and the resources required for execution. You will be leading the change to ensure we have the team and partnerships to deliver these new requirements.

Resources mobilization. Develop alliances with Partners, external donors, key stakeholders to ensure adequate funding and sustainable impact to the Syrian crisis. Contribute and advocate for policy change in line with program goals.

Quality Operational Program Delivery and Risk Management. Ensure high quality operational implementation including financial, risk management, addressing complex challenges in high-risk settings.

Team builder and talent developer. The Country Director will mentor, and build the capacity of team members in Syria, supporting and driving a culture of learning, knowledge sharing and talent development. Being a leader who inspire accountability for impactful results.

Your Responsibilities

This role includes the following responsibilities.

• Lead the strategic planning and operational execution of Relief International's mission in Syria, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Manage key relationships with government authorities, donors, and partners, representing Relief International at the central and governorate levels.
• Oversee the implementation of high-quality programs, ensuring resource allocation, compliance, and timely spending.
• Ensure staff safety and security, managing risks, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Drive program growth, securing funding from new donors and building strong teams for sustained impact.

About You

You will bring the following experience and skills.

• Substantial proven experience leading large-scale multi-sector programs in complex and challenging environments.
• Strong expertise in managing change, including leading teams through transitions and adapting strategies to evolving contexts.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate diverse teams, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and high performance.
• Expertise in risk management, including ensuring staff safety and implementing security protocols in high-risk environments.
• Desirable: Previous experience working in the Middle East, with knowledge of sectors such as Health, Protection, WASH, and Livelihoods.

At Relief International, we are committed to building a representative, inclusive and authentic workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds those who bring lived experience of the contexts in which we work.

This role is classified as requiring advanced pre-employment checks which includes a criminal record check.

How To Apply

To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page.

• You will be asked to upload a CV and Cover Letter.
• The cover letter should be one page, and explain why you are interested in this post with Relief International and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing Date

If you are interested please apply as soon as possible, if we receive a large volume of applicants we may withdraw the position from the jobs board before the closing date.

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is committed to the safeguarding of all those we come into contact with through our work. We are committed to the core humanitarian principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Relief International expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International include a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.