Syria - Deputy Country Director for Programs (M/F) - Damascus
Solidarités International
Director and Top Executive Full-time Desired start date: 01/08/26
Duration of the mission: 6 months
Location: Damascus, Syria
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI's interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers - intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.
General objective:
In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), the Deputy Country Director for Programs (DCD-P) provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the effective development, quality, and accountability of Solidarités International’s programmes. The DCD-P drives the strengthening of programme design and implementation, ensuring interventions are evidence-based, need-driven, contextually adaptable, and conflict-sensitive.
The DCD-P ensures coherence across all programme activities and guarantees that adequate monitoring systems and resources are in place to deliver impactful and timely responses. In addition, the DCD-P ensures full compliance with Solidarités International’s internal processes and standards across HR, Finance, and Logistics.
As a key member of the senior management team, the DCD-P actively contributes to the definition and evolution of the mission’s overall strategy.
Specific challenges:
-New structure and transition period which will request some flexibility while setting up the new communication channels
-Large-scale mission (financial budget, HR volume), with numerous interlocutors at coordination and field level.
-Recent context change leading to the adjustment of the programming
Priorities for the first 2/3 months:
-Support the Mission Strategy decision making for the period 2027-2032
-Continue to support the development of activities’ portfolio with objectives of timeliness, integration and internal / external compliance in mind, in alignment with the Country Strategy
-To monitor the evolution of the mission based on humanitarian needs assessment findings, ensuring the continuity of operations and sustained access to areas of intervention
Security constraints:
Instable context, uncertainties about humanitarian space and funding
Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field (Humanitarian Assistance and Programming; International Studies, International Affairs).
Previous experience in Middle East (recommended).
| • Similar experience in a senior management position in an overseas NGO environment, ideally in both emergency and developmental contexts; | |||
| • Previous experience in strategy development | |||
| • Experience in leading program development across multiple bases, multi-sector with multiple donors, preferably with knowledge of using contextual understanding and evidence to strategically guide the mission’s development with regards to programs; • Experience of managing large teams in multiple locations with various challenges; • Experience of budget management; • Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures; • Experience in Donor relations (ECHO, DOS, UN, CDCS, EuropeAid; others desirable in view of donors’ portfolio diversification (GAC, FCDO…) • Previous experience in Middle East highly desirable • Previous experience with SI is an asset. | |||
| Extensive knowledge about project cycle management and monitoring tools; | |||
| Extensive knowledge of humanitarian programming, in emergency and development context | |||
| An ability to reflect on and learn from own performance and the performance of the program; and to act upon that learning; • An ability to analyze information quickly and accurately; • Good problem solving skills in day to day and crisis situations; • A flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines; • Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office, Excel; • Extensive report writing skills in English; • Strong representation / public relation skills. • Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and understanding • Demonstrate personal and professional integrity in all interactions • Highly sensitive to a Humanitarian needs-based programming approach • Strong oral and written communication skills • Capacity to deal with many different issues, programs, sectors, to self- update and learn very quickly from a highly and constantly evolving environment; | |||
| 1. English (fluent - mandatory) | |||
| 2. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset | |||
| 3. Knowledge of French is an asset | |||
According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750.
SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment.
Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.
Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.
Living conditions:
The role is based in Damascus. Damascus offers relatively stable living conditions compared to other parts of Syria, with access to basic services, markets, healthcare, and educational facilities. However, residents continue to face significant economic challenges, including inflation, high living costs, electricity shortages, and limited public service capacity. Despite these constraints, the city remains operational and hosts a strong humanitarian and development presence, with active civil society networks and professional communities. Life in Damascus offers a variety of activities and social opportunities, including cycling and running clubs, a wide range of restaurants and cafés with diverse food options, museums, historical sites, cultural events, and vibrant local markets. Despite the ongoing economic challenges, the city maintains a rich social and cultural atmosphere, with many opportunities for community engagement and leisure activities. Occasional travel to the bases might be required but living conditions in the bases are at their best possible standards. SI offers shared accommodation to the expats in Damascus.
Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!
Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.
Thank you for your understanding.
To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org
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Solidarités International (SI) est déterminé à prévenir et à combattre tout type d’abus – tout acte d’exploitation, d’abus et/ou de harcèlement sexuels (SEAH) à l’encontre des membres des communautés bénéficiaires ou de ses collaborateurs et collaboratrices, atteinte aux personnes et/ou aux biens, fraude, corruption, conflit d’intérêt non déclaré, financement d’activités portant atteinte aux droits de l’homme - qui pourrait être perpétré dans le cadre de ses interventions. SI applique une tolérance zéro à l’égard de tout type d’abus, particulièrement des actes de SEAH.
Solidarités International est un employeur équitable qui combat toute forme de discrimination. SI ne demandera jamais une rétribution quelconque en vue de participer à un processus de recrutement.
Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH.
Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.
