Head of Program, Syria

Job description

Head of Program – Syria Duty Station: Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic and/or The Hague, The Netherlands (to be determined based on operational requirements and the successful candidate's profile). Organization: International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). About ICMP The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. ICMP's mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating persons missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration, and other causes, and to assist them in doing so. For nearly three decades, ICMP has pioneered the use of advanced forensic science, data systems, and a rights-based approach to help governments account for missing persons and uphold the rights of surviving families to truth, justice, and reparations. Today, ICMP is supporting some of the most consequential missing persons processes in the world. About the Syria Program Following the political transition in Syria in December 2024 and the establishment of the National Commission for Missing Persons (NCMP), Syria has embarked on a historic effort to account for an estimated 300,000 missing persons. This effort is being led by Syrian institutions and supported by families of the missing, civil society organizations, and international partners. Since 2017, ICMP has worked alongside Syrian civil society to help lay the foundations for this process through data collection, DNA reference sampling, policy development, support to civil society, and regional cooperation. Today, ICMP supports Syria's efforts to establish a sustainable, nationally owned missing persons process grounded in transparency, inclusivity, professionalism, and international standards. The next phase will include supporting the development of national institutions and legal foundations, strengthening forensic and DNA capabilities, establishing a central record of missing persons, and helping Syrian authorities build the capacities required to locate, identify, and return missing persons to their families in a manner that upholds the rule of law. The Opportunity ICMP is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Head of Program – Syria . This is a rare opportunity to help shape a Syrian-led effort to address one of the largest missing persons challenges in recent history. The successful candidate will lead ICMP's support to Syrian institutions and work alongside government officials, families of the missing, civil society, international organizations, and donor governments to help establish the institutional, technical, and operational foundations of Syria's missing persons process. The Head of Program will serve as ICMP's senior representative for Syria and will be responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team of experts working across forensic science, data management, institutional development, transitional justice, public policy, and international cooperation. Success in this role will require strategic vision, diplomatic skills, political judgment, and a demonstrated ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders in a dynamic and politically sensitive environment. The successful candidate will be expected to navigate a complex operating environment involving Syrian institutions, international organizations, diplomatic actors, and donors, balancing competing priorities and interests while ensuring that ICMP remains a trusted, impartial, and effective partner in support of Syrian leadership of the process. Key Responsibilities The Head of Program will: Provide strategic leadership and oversight of ICMP's support to Syria's missing persons process; Serve as ICMP's principal representative with Syrian authorities, international organizations, diplomatic missions, and donors; Lead a multidisciplinary team supporting data, forensic, policy, legal, and institutional development activities; Support the establishment of Syria's national missing persons architecture, including the development of national forensic and DNA capabilities; Strengthen cooperation with Syrian institutions, including the Syrian National Commission on Missing Persons (NCMP) and other relevant stakeholders; Foster partnerships with families of the missing, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and technical experts; Lead fundraising efforts and maintain relationships with donor governments and international partners; Ensure the effective implementation of donor-funded projects and annual work plans; Provide strategic advice to ICMP senior management on developments relating to Syria. Who We Are Looking For We are seeking a highly accomplished professional with: Advanced university degree in International Relations, Public Administration, Development Studies, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, diplomacy, human rights, transitional justice, or post-conflict recovery; Significant senior management experience leading multidisciplinary teams; Demonstrated success managing complex programs in politically sensitive environments; Strong diplomatic and negotiation skills and the ability to engage effectively with governments, international organizations, and donors; Experience in strategic planning, institutional development, and fundraising; An understanding of missing persons issues, human rights, transitional justice, and rule-of-law approaches; Excellent written and spoken English; Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable; Experience in the Middle East and North Africa region is strongly preferred. The Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will possess: Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills; Sound political judgment and strategic thinking; The ability to navigate competing priorities while building trust among diverse stakeholders; A commitment to impartiality, transparency, and accountability; Physical and mental resilience; The willingness to work in a demanding and evolving post-conflict environment; A deep commitment to the rights of families of the missing. Why This Role Matters This position offers a unique opportunity to: Support a Syrian-led effort to account for approximately 300,000 missing persons; Help build sustainable national institutions and capacities that will have a lasting impact for generations; Work alongside leading experts in forensic science, data systems, human rights, and international law; Engage with governments, the United Nations, and international partners at the highest levels; Contribute to one of the most significant efforts underway to address the legacy of conflict and human rights abuses. Accounting for the missing is an investment in peace and stability. The Head of Program – Syria will have the opportunity to help translate this principle into practice by supporting a Syrian-led process that can provide answers to families, strengthen institutions, and contribute to a more stable future. Equal Opportunity ICMP is committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourages qualified candidates of all nationalities, genders, and backgrounds to apply. Applications from Syrian nationals, including members of the Syrian diaspora, are particularly welcome. Application Process Interested candidates should submit: A cover letter explaining their interest in the position and relevant experience; A detailed curriculum vitae; Contact information for three professional references. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Compensation: This is a full-time position with a competitive base salary at the E7 level on the ICMP Professional Staff salary scale, includes a post adjustment, six weeks of paid leave and extended health and dental benefits. The position is eligible for expatriate benefits including relocation allowance, education allowance for eligible dependent children and dependent health insurance coverage. VN close date: 30 Sep 2026 Expected start date: to be discussed ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network. ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length. ICMP does not request payment during any stage of the selection process. All applications must be submitted in English. ICMP does not accept applications in any other language.