Project Manager, Damascus

Company Description

We support people in overcoming emergencies and we strive to guarantee that everyone can have a decent and dignified life as well as opportunities and a better future. We work in more than 20 countries around the world, including in Italy, with more than 166 emergency, humanitarian aid and development projects. Our activities mainly involve women, girls and young people, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world.

We operate in several natural and man-made crisis in various regions of the world. The emergency response is composed by multi-sectorial interventions comprising of WASH, EiE, CVA, Food Security, Protection, and others. We operate also in protracted crisis with provision of humanitarian aid through a prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation approach. In the last 4 years we have strengthened the regions and the countries where we have been working, we have created new programs, developed new quality and compliance systems and now we need new people who want to join us to build the world we want in the coming years. We believe in a world where everyone has equal opportunities and rights and we work everyday to make it happens. Join us.

Position

Position : Project Manager Syria

Reporting Relationship : Country Head of Programmes

Location : Damascus

Deadline : 21/11/2026

Starting date : 15/01/2027

Family Duty Station : NO

R&R : YES

Contract Type : Expatriate (International)

Working context

The presence of WeWorld in Syria dates back to 2011, with an emergency education intervention in favour of Iraqi refugees in Aleppo. Since 2014, WeWorld has been providing humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable Syrian population with interventions in different sectors such as Education in Emergency, WASH, and Livelihoods.

WeWorld currently operates in 4 governorates in Syria: Aleppo, Deir Ez Zor, Ar-Raqqa, and Daraa.

At present, the main donors are EU (ECHO), Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), ChildFund Alliance and the United Nations.

Job description

WeWorld is recruiting a Project Manager who will be primarily involved in the management of emergency projects and will support the mission with other assignments depending on the necessity.

He/She will report to the Country Head of Programmes and work in coordination with Local Field Teams.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Operations Management

• Ensure effective coordination, timely and quality planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities to meet deliverables in accordance with standards, timeline, and budget
• Coordinate the preparation, follow up, and update of comprehensive MEAL plan for the supervised projects, in cooperation with the MEAL Department, including resource needs analysis, covering the time frames of the project proposals
• Coordinate the development and follow-up on project procurement plans and financial forecasts
• Take responsibility of all aspects of finance, administrative, human resource and logistics management related to the assigned emergency projects, ensuring knowledge of and adherence to applicable operational systems, donor requirements and WeWorld country strategy
• Ensure budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the appropriate timeframe, updating the HoP of the financial status of the projects
• Represent WeWorld in front of the donor of the assigned projects under responsibility
• Represent WeWorld at relevant meetings with partners and projects stakeholders, as applicable
• Collaborate with the organization's liaison focal points for all the necessary coordination and approvals required from the local authorities

Program Management

• Assist the HoP with the identification and design of future projects
• Assist the HoP and the Grants officer in the development of project proposals upon request
• Assist the HoP on the development and implementation of the country's strategy
• Provide technical support to other Project Managers in the implementation of specific activities of sectoral expertise where possible and needed
• Conduct technical needs assessments in coordination with the Program Manager
• Highlight and bring to the attention of HoP good practices and opportunities arising from the implementation of the supervised projects

Staff Management

• Effectively coordinate and lead Area Project Coordinators for the implementation of project activities.
• Coordinate effectively with Area, Security, and Support managers to ensure smooth implementation of the projects' activities and coordination of field work.
• Work closely with the HoP in establishing and maintaining collaborative and high performing team and a good working environment.

Quality and Reports Management

• In collaboration with the MEAL Manager and the Local Field Teams, develop and implement constant monitoring systems to improve follow up, transparency and to ensure the best use of WeWorldassets and resources
• Make sure project activities and reports are delivered in time and with the best quality, in coordination with the Grants and Reporting Officer
• Support the preparation of briefing documents and agendas during internal and donor field visits and at other relevant projects' milestones

The duties and responsibilities set forth above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties requested by the Line Manager. Proper handover must be ensured before the end of the assignment.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International relations, Project Management, and other relevant fields
• Experience in the management of multi sectoral projects in a protracted crisis
• Knowledge and proven experience in managing AICS funded projects is required
• Knowledge of other main donors' policies and procedures (UN Agencies, EU, ECHO) is preferable
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Italian is required
• Good computer and analytical skills are required

Professional experience

• At least 4 years of relevant working experience in humanitarian or development settings
• At least 2 years of experience in Project Cycle Management
• Proven experience in project proposal writing

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal relationships and demonstrated ability to leverage business networks and partnerships for continued growth
• Good communication and leadership skills
• Ability to perform under stress condition
• Capacity to work autonomously and in problems prevention/resolution
• Ability to think strategically and conceptually and to translate these into concrete results
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers/leaders
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Integrity in line with the Humanitarian Principles and ethical standards
• Strong commitment to WeWorld Mission
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience in the Middle East and Syria in specific or in the Syrian crisis context
• Previous Experience in multi-sectorial integrated programs
• Previous experience and overall understanding of Education, WASH, and Protection interventions
• Experience in the Food Security and Livelihoods Sector is highly preferred
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset

Other information

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract : a first 6 (six) months contract subject to verification (achievement of specific objectives); a second collaboration contract of 6 (six) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first period of collaboration

Economic conditions : according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy

Base Salary (2.840€ - 3.440€ monthly) + Contributions reflecting role complexity and hardship level of the duty station

Accommodation : WeWorld Guest House

Annual leave : 2,5 days/month (working days)

R&R : 5 days each 12 weeks - allowance of 1.000€ is provided

Flight ticket : One round-trip air ticket every 12 months of service (between country of residence and duty station)

Wellbeing & Inclusion : One day of paid menstrual leave per month. We promote a positive and inclusive work environment based on psychological safety, respect, and team empowerment.

Health insurance : covered

Equal Opportunities

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational needs, without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, age, family or parental status, disability or any other status protected by applicable law.We are committed to building talented teams and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

The selection process may be closed earlier than planned should a candidate matching the required profile be identified.

Due to the high number of applications, we apologize in advance that only candidates deemed suitable for the role will be contacted.