Syria Program Lead

Job description

About CIVIC Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) Center is an international nonprofit and nongovernmental organization with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians in conflict zones. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors and relevant institutions to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at . About the Position The Syria Program Lead has overall responsibility for providing strategic leadership for CIVIC’s Syria program and overseeing the establishment and development of CIVIC’s country presence in Syria. This is a start-up position with the SYRIA PROGRAM LEAD responsible for leading the process for establishing a formal country office including following up on registration. The SYRIA PROGRAM LEAD will lead the development and implementation of Syria’s programs while building a strong and credible institutional presence with national authorities, civil society, international actors, donors, and other key stakeholders. A particularly important component of the role will be maintaining close, constructive, and regular engagement with relevant government entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MOSA), Ministry of Interior (MOI), as well as governorate-level and local authorities. The SYRIA PROGRAM LEAD will ensure that CIVIC’s Syria operations are established in accordance with CIVIC policies, donor requirements, applicable Syrian regulations, and CIVIC’s mandate and principles, while creating the foundations for sustainable program growth and impact. Location: To be Determined – (Damascus is a high priority) (must be willing to travel frequently and at short notice) Travel: Up to 30% required (regional and international) Staff Reporting: This role will report to Global Director of programs Contract Type : Full time, 12 months with the possibility of extension subject to funding and performance. Responsibilities 1. Overall Management, Leadership, and Country-Office Start-Up Lead the overall start-up and establishment of CIVIC’s Syria country office including CIVIC’s registration status inside of Syria. Implement and periodically update CIVIC-Syria strategic plan including planning for future programming. Develop and periodically update CIVIC-Syria’s strategic plan, including identifying opportunities for future programming and sustainable country-level growth. Lead the recruitment, onboarding, management, and professional development of Syria country staff, ensuring that the team is appropriately structured and resourced to deliver CIVIC’s strategy and programs. Generate funding from donors in collaboration with national, regional and headquarters staff in alignment with the country office strategic plan. Manage financial resources and provide oversight for grants and country-level budgets in coordination with relevant operations and financial staff. Provide strategic vision and direction for overall program design and proposal development; program implementation and reporting; grant management; financial planning; and human resource planning and management; work closely with the country team to accomplish the strategic goals. Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant Syrian government authorities and institutions, particularly MOFA, MOSA, and MOI, as well as governorate and local authorities. Ensure regular engagement and appropriate communication with government counterparts on CIVIC’s mandate, activities, registration, and operational plans. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with national civil society organizations, community-based organizations, international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, diplomatic missions, research institutions, and other relevant actors. Represent CIVIC in formal and informal meetings with government and security officials, international organizations, donors, and national civil society groups pertinent to CIVIC project activities. 2. Programmatic direction and management Country knowledge of Syria and on protection of civilians during armed conflict and in stabilization phase. Identify emerging protection and civilian harm risks and opportunities for CIVIC engagement in Syria, and translate these into relevant research, advocacy, training, technical assistance, and community-based protection programming. Provide technical input to the government, security forces, international donor agencies and civil society groups pertinent to CIVIC project activities. Oversee research design, dissemination of information gathered and advocacy to advance programmatic and policy changes. Oversee and coordinate the program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity. Ensure implementation of strong program monitoring, evaluation, and learning functions. Strengthen the quality and effectiveness of existing programs in civilian protection and harm mitigation advocacy, technical assistance, and training, including through the development of a strong and locally grounded portfolio of partnerships and programming. 3. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Disseminate findings from CIVIC’s work that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in Syria. Keep the international and national partners and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities and donor involvement in the overall program. Ensure that lessons from the start-up process, government engagement, partnerships, and program implementation are documented and incorporated into ongoing country strategy and organizational learning. Work with relevant CIVIC teams to ensure that program quality, accountability, monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems are established as part of the country office start-up process. Establish and maintain appropriate administrative, financial, HR, procurement, and operational systems for the Syria country office in accordance with CIVIC policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. 4. Financial and Administrative management Provide oversight to finance and administrative services including procurement, property management, human resources management, vehicle and facilities management, and staff safety and security in coordination with relevant country and headquarters operations staff. Work with CIVIC headquarters to manage the development and implementation of annual country budgets. Ensure the preparation and accuracy of financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensure compliance with all aspects of donor funding and CIVIC policies. Ensure timely submission of financial reports within the established CIVIC guidelines. Authorize expenditures for grant or contract allocations and ensure compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements. Hire and manage personnel for Sudan projects incompliance with CIVIC policies and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity. Qualifications & Experience Minimum 10 years of relevant international experience , including at least 5 years in senior management , ideally as a Country Director or equivalent in Syria or the Middle East. Strong knowledge of Syria and its political, security, humanitarian, and operational context ; prior experience working on Syria required. Syrian candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Master's degree in international relations, humanitarian affairs, development, security, human rights, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience establishing, managing, or scaling country programmes/offices in complex or conflict-affected environments. Strong experience engaging government authorities , including navigating registration, permissions, compliance, and operational requirements. Proven ability to build relationships and represent an organization at senior level with government, donors, civil society, UN/international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders . Strong track record in programme development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning , including research and evidence-based programming. Demonstrated experience in business development, donor cultivation, proposal writing, and mobilizing institutional funding . Strong financial and grant management experience, including budgeting, financial oversight, and compliance with institutional donor requirements. Proven leadership of multicultural teams , with strong people management, decision-making, communication, and conflict-management skills. Experience managing security, operational risk, and duty of care in conflict-affected environments. Fluency in Arabic and English required , with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability and willingness to travel within Syria and internationally as required. Contract: One year, renewable subject to funding and performance. Additional Details Application Deadline: September 8, 2026 The position will initially be titled Syria Program Lead pending CIVIC’s registration and the required approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Subject to registration and approval, the role is expected to transition to Country Director, Syria . Candidates should therefore meet the experience requirements of a Country Director-level position. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will receive an email invitation from TestGorilla to submit their resume. Please complete this step promptly to ensure your candidacy is fully considered. CIVIC is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies: CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies other than its approved partners.