Do you have experience with people leadership, training and capacity development from a humanitarian Mine Action programme? Do you have experience of strategically managing and directing large scale projects? Then you might be the candidate we are looking for to become our new Programme Manager Mine Action in Syria!

Syria has more than 16 million people in need of protection from explosive ordnance. Our operations consist of already established capacities such as EORE, NTS, TS, clearance and mine action support to WAM activities. Syria is selected as one of the strategic focus countries in Norwegian People’s Aid, with expectation to grow and strategically develop to programme portfolio, both within Mine Action and through integrated programming across other programme areas including pilot interventions with cooperation with Syrian partner organisations.

What we offer

• The opportunity to develop the Mine Action programme to incorporate the full operational toolbox and help shape the future of Mine Action in Syria.
• A unique possibility to integrating nexus activities in coordination with the Civil Society and Humanitarian Programme Manager and the Weapons Ammunition Management Programme Manager.
• Comprehensive salary package including country specific allowances.
• A robust insurance scheme.
• Five weeks’ annual holiday plus one additional week off for expats.
• Three international flights home per contract year.
• R&R scheme.
• A two-year expatriate contract* with potential for renewal, under the Norwegian Working Environment Act's and the Special Agreement’s favorable conditions.

Requirements

• Minimum three years’ senior management experience in a Humanitarian Mine Action Programme in an international context.
• At least five additional years of professional experience in the Mine Action sector.
• Relevant higher education and/or military experience and education and management and mine Action-related training courses.
• Experience of strategically managing and directing large scale projects including implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment and mitigation and contract compliance;
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and capacity development approaches.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain high-level diplomatic and professional relationships with government agencies, ministries, national stakeholders, NGOs, and donors.
• Experience of resource mobilisation, including strategies and fundraising, and drafting of all proposals and reports;
• Strong people management experience with proven ability to lead and manage a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, often remotely.
• Strong writing skills for strategies, proposals, business plans, budgets, and reports.
• Proficiency in English language. Arabic language skills are an advantage.
• Previous work experience in the Middle East, preferably Syria is desirable.

As a person, you identify yourself with the core competencies for managers in NPA:

• Integrity: Ethical decision-making and honesty. Managers embody our values and ensure employees follow ethical standards.
• Trust: Build and maintain reliability. Create a safe space for expression and development. Balance trust and control, delegate wisely, and encourage learning.
• Openness: Foster innovation and development through effective communication and inclusion of relevant skills.
• Accountability: Achieve results with employees through clear direction and goals, balancing strategic initiatives with operational tasks. Provide feedback and hold everyone accountable for performance and work calmly under pressure in stressful and hazardous conditions.

You possess excellent interpersonal- and communication skills with proven ability to motivate and develop a team. You have a good understanding of relevant national, cultural and development contexts.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Mine Action programme, in alignment with the country strategy and NPA’s core principles and policies and with optimal use of the demining toolbox and efficient application of the land release concept.
• Lead the MAD programme team in developing, implementing and monitoring operational plans and prioritise and manage all operations within the programme with focus on impact, quality, efficiency and relevance.
• Manage and direct the mine action programme including implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment and mitigation and contract compliance;
• Participate actively in the Country Management Team for the Syria programme, contributing to the strategic development of the overall country programme and fostering synergies across its various thematic areas.
• Responsibility for supporting the WAM PM for the Mine Action support to the implementation of WAM activities including clearance of UEMS, PSSM, and stockpile destruction and in general fostering synergies across the various thematic areas including development, recovery and humanitarian cooperation.
• Ensure safe execution of all NPA technical activities within the country of operation in line with Standard Operating Procedures, International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and effective risk management, including integration of established risk & security management procedures in all relevant programmatic areas.
• Support resource mobilisation and donor engagement in collaboration with the Country Director and Head Office.
• Responsible for developing and implementing the annual work plan for NPA Mine Action teams including operational deployment plans and individual task implementation plans.
• In close coordination with the CD and other programme managers, explore opportunities of cooperation with local CSOs and INGOs (i.e. consortia) and development nexus and actively engage in sector relevant networking.

*Validity of the offer and contract depends on satisfactory medical certificate, full vaccination, valid travel visa and necessary permits for service and residency in the country of service. The offer and contract also depend on donor funding and might be subject to donor approval.