Head of Programme & Partnerships Jordan/Syria response, Damascus

Your mission

You will be responsible for programme development and institutional fundraising efforts, quality assurance, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) primarily in the areas of Education, Child Protection/Child Safeguarding (CP/CSG), Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). You will also be responsible for providing oversight and supervision of the grants management function, ensuring adherence to established processes and guidelines.

Working in close consultation & collaboration with external partners, you will drive coherence, relevance and effectiveness of War Child's overall Syria & Jordan response programme, in accordance with humanitarian and sector-specific standards as well as War Child's mandate & strategy. Developing and maintaining effective and fruitful relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders (e.g. regional/global colleagues, donors, UN agencies and peer organisations) is critical for success in this role.

About the role

Your Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the development of both solicited and unsolicited high-quality project proposals and funding applications, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and alignment with War Child's country and global strategic objectives and priorities.
• Establish, develop and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with diverse range of donors, peer organisations, government, UN agencies and local organisations for resource mobilisation and scaling up program.
• Lead the development of new programme interventions, in close consultation with external partners, ensuring continuous readiness to respond to new funding opportunities.
• Lead on the development and implementation of a CO fundraising strategy. Stay updated on fundraising trends, donor priorities, and industry best practices in order to adapt and refine the fundraising strategy.
• Ensure coherence, relevance and effectiveness of War Child's overall Syria/Jordan response programme, in accordance with humanitarian and sector-specific standards as well as War Child's mandate and strategy.
• Lead the development of high-quality country and program strategies and annual plans, and reports
• Oversee the design and implementation of CO thematic strategies and scaling plans in close collaboration with the global thematic leads/cluster specialists and field based technical coordinators.
• With support from technical coordinators and MEAL Manager, lead the development and implementation of program quality standards, guidelines, and tools to ensure high-quality program delivery across all technical areas.
• Oversee the provision of technical assistance and capacity development in the areas of Education, CP/CSG and MHPSS to War Child's programmes and partners.
• With support from the RMG Manager, build and maintain relationships with existing and potential donors, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders, cultivating donor stewardship and engagement; Maintain a donor liaison tracker to track and manage interactions with donors, including communication, meetings, and donor relationship management.
• Maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, government and other stakeholders, representing the organization in relevant forums and advocating for program quality and development priorities.
• Effectively represent War Child in relevant coordination forums and network bodies, such as Head of Programmes community, positioning War Child as a partner of choice.
• Maintain positive and effective relationships with War Child's partners and actively contribute to localisation initiatives and capacity development efforts.
• Lead and support the development of external-facing products conveying the nature, quality, relevance and added value of War Child's programming in Syria/Jordan.
• Ensure the integration of cross cutting issues into design and implementation including gender equality, disability inclusion, non-discrimination, child participation and child safeguarding.
• Lead the Program and Partnerships department which consists of the Resource Mobilisation & Grants, MEAL and localisation, including direct line management, mentoring, support, staff welfare and performance management for up to 5 direct reports.
• Work closely with other department heads and hub managers to actively contribute to positive interdepartmental relationships and dynamics.
• Serve as a member of the Country Management Team, contributing to strategy development and high-level planning, problem-solving and decision-making.
• Deputise for the Country Director as and when needed.

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What you will do

Your profile

• Relevant academic degree.
• Minimum five years of senior management experience in the humanitarian/development sector, preferably including international experience.
• Demonstrated experience in writing project proposals for a wide range of donors.
• Experience with running, supporting and/or managing programmes in conflict-affected or other complex environments, including activities in at least two of the following areas: Education, Child Protection and MHPSS for children and their caregivers.
• Knowledge of - and affinity with - programmes designed to enhance the psychosocial well-being of children in humanitarian/development contexts.
• Proven track-record of working in partnership with local/national response actors.
• Sound knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, accountability & learning methodologies, tools and systems in the humanitarian sector.
• Understanding of the Syria context and its complexities considered an asset.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills are essential. Arabic language skills will be considered a major asset in the selection process.
• Persuasion and motivation skills, ability to convince and mobilise others.
• A successful track record in initiating, cultivating relations with - and securing support from - a wide range of institutional donors.
• Strong networking skills; ability to maintain good working relationships with partners, donors and other external as well as internal stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a varied, fluid and demanding workload and meet deadlines.
• Affinity with War Child's mandate, mission and core values (Impact, Creativity, Inspiration and Integrity).

What we offer

War Child Alliance (WCA) is a dynamic organization. We try to keep an informal ambiance within our office, with a lot of room for creativity, inspiration and self-initiative from employees. We practice what we preach: dynamic, innovative, integrity focused, and a drive to reach the highest possible results against the lowest possible costs. War Child offers a challenging job in an inspiring workplace.
We offer a challenging and rewarding role within an inspiring and motivated team, supported by a strong and professional regional and global organisation, including close collaboration with colleagues in the Netherlands.

The successful candidate will receive a fair and competitive salary, comprehensive secondary benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and learning.

Contract Details

• Location: Damasucus, Syria
• Contract type: International candidates will be offered an expat package.
• Contract duration: One-year contract, with the intention to extend to an open-ended contract subject to mutual agreement and satisfactory performance.
• Working hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Duty station: Unaccompanied position
  

This position is based in Damascus and is open to national, regional, and international candidates. National and regional candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by 18 October 2026. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended.