Country Director, North East Syria

POSITION: Country Director, North East Syria
PERIOD: 12 months with possible extension, starting date in July/August 2023 or upon agreement
COUNTRY PROGRAMME: Syrian Response
LINE MANAGER: Regional Director,
MENA LOCATION: Raqqa with travel throughout North East Syria

About the Mission

PIN has been working in Northern Syria since 2012, providing support to conflict-affected communities and IDPs. PIN’s contribution to the overall Syria humanitarian response is amongst the largest, with an annual turnover of over $65 million with 25% in NES. The major donors in NES are the EC, ECHO, USAID/BHA and SDC.

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

The Country Director (CD) is part of Syria Country Management Team (together with Regional Director, Programmes Director, Regional Head of Systems & Operations, Security Advisor and members of HQ Syria desk). The CD will be responsible for all program and support teams in NE Syria ensuring relevant, impactful and principled programming in line with PIN’s country strategy. Currently PIN has around 400 staff (280 national staff, 11 expatriates, 95 daily workers) working in four different offices. We are looking for a leader with multi-year experience in managing large teams and multi-sectorial programmes in insecure and challenging environments that can provide leadership to move the programme forward expanding into new geographical areas, building local partnerships and moving into early recovery/stabilisation programming specifically in education, shelter and livelihoods. The CD reports to PIN Regional Director for MENA. They directly manage Programmes and Systems/Operations Directors, as well as the Security Manager, MEAL Manager, and administratively oversee two staff working with consortia management and the NES forum. They have delegated responsibility for security. They work closely with regional staff in programme quality, finance, comms and security, as well as the Desk team in HQ.

II. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development and scale up of NE Syria Strategy and programme ensuring it is appropriate and needs-based, ensuring cooperation across sectors and local teams.

• Provides support and guidance to Programmes Director to ensure the implementation of the programmes is in line with sectorial SoPs with particular attention to quality and efficiency.

• Ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical PIN systems/procedures are in place, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently.

• Ensure all operational departments are working in close collaboration with programs to facilitate smooth, efficient and effective implementation.

• Ensure financial oversight for overall NE Syria budget, report any concerns or deviations to the Systems and Operations Director and Programmes Director and support program and operations departments to develop plans to mitigate under or over expenditure.

• Provide overall support to team members ensuring professional development and improved wellbeing. • Ensure clear communication flow between different departments internally and the coordination office in Erbil, including regular documented team meetings for planning and reporting purposes.

• Represents the organization at the regional level including meetings with donors, consortia in North East Syria, humanitarian actors, local authorities, protocol and security meetings. Maintain regular working relationships and ensure active cooperation between PIN and UN agencies, clusters, working groups.

• Ensure overall security and safety of staff in the area and that appropriate security guidelines are developed, communicated, adhered to, and regularly reviewed with the Security Team Lead and Security Advisor.

• Ensures adequate contingency plans are in place and regularly shared with all the staff. Monitors the political, economic, and social environment in the area, assesses and analyses the risks, monitors and reports the security situation.

• Line Manage 6 direct reports: Programmes Director, Systems Director, MEAL Manager, SNFI Working Group Coordinator, LEARN Shelter Specialist and Security Manager.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS

• At least 5 years’ experience with a humanitarian and/or development organization in senior management.

• Strong leadership and staff management skills, with experience in managing (directly and remotely) large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams.

• Good understanding of the humanitarian environment (NGOs, NGO Forums, UN, main donors)

• Strong security management skills and experience in challenging and volatile security environments

• Good organizational, planning, diplomatic and problem-solving skills

• Excellent communication skills, including fluent spoken and written English. • Previous experience with managing large teams and budgets.

• Previous working experience from Middle East, particularly the Syrian crisis is advantage.

• Desirable: A working knowledge of Arabic

IV. LIVING CONDITIONS / EVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• This position is unaccompanied. It will be based in Raqqa.

• PIN expatriate staff is based in Raqqa (in line with many international INGOs), in between the remaining field offices (Manbij, Kobane, Derik). The area has stabilized over the last year, but moderate security restrictions still apply.

• Internet is available in all PIN’s offices and guesthouses. There is limited access to international goods/supplies in NES.

• Basic medical provision is available locally, and a medevac procedure is in place for emergencies. Expat staff in NES should be in good health and be fully vaccinated against all relevant illnesses including Covid-19.

V. PIN Offers

• Salary of 4750 – 4 900 EUR (already including subsistence allowance of 1 350 EUR) per month

• Opportunities for learning, trainings and capacity development.

•Housing in PIN guesthouse covered by PIN

• 25 days of paid leave annually

• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work, plus R&R benefits in between (ie. home leave or R&R every 8 weeks in NES)

• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure.

• Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available on line.

• Travel health insurance Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and is committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How to apply:

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV (no longer than 4 pages) and short cover letter via our application form. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp).