Syria – Country Director (M/F) – Damascus

Solidarités International

Desired start date: 15/05/2025
Duration of the mission: one year
Location: Damascus

About us

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.

About the mission

Solidarités International operates via one mission in three countries, Syria, Türkiye and Iraq, with very diverse programs. The mission is managed per hub since 2024, the Western Hub covering North-West Syria (NWS) and Türkiye from Amman and the Eastern Hub covering North-East Syria (NES) and Iraq. Overall the mission employs 350 staff, implementing a large diversity of programs adjusted to each context.

In NES, SI is one of the leading agencies in the WASH sector, responding to emergencies, protracted situations and recovery needs. The strategy is complemented with a significant FSL component, addressing market rehabilitations, business development and agriculture. SI is operational in Raqqa & Hasskeh Governorates.

In NWS, SI operates in Idleb and Nothern-Aleppo with large WASH programs, with a focus in camps settings for IDP populations, and rehabilitation programs, especially after the earthquake. SI also responds to new emergencies, including regular displacements, natural disasters and epidemics.

In Iraq, SI works in Ninewa and Kurdish Republic of Iraq with recovery programs, restoring livelihoods of displaced populations via business development and mitigating the impact of climate change and water scarcity.

In Türkiye, SI began operations with a Turkish partner working with CSOs in areas affected by the earthquake to restore their capacities after this natural disaster, focusing in particular on Hatay province.

About the job

General objective:

S/He is in charge of the smooth running of the mission.
S/He oversees and consolidates mission strategy, according to the geopolitical and humanitarian context, and ensures its implementation once it has been validated.
S/He monitors projects, ensuring that they are progressing in accordance with the Solidarités International charter and complying with internal and contractual procedures.
He represents the organization at the highest levels of engagement with donors, media, international agencies and regional platforms.
S/He mobilizes the material and financial resources necessary for the programs to run effectively and supervises the administration of these resources.
S/He coordinates the teams in place and oversees security procedures as well as manages incidents.
S/He is the direct liaison for Solidarités International’s HQ.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

  • Complete the restrucring of the mission with CO in Damas and Base-level reorganizations
  • Strengthen SI influence and continue building instrumental relationships with key stakeholders. Update country Strategy for 2026-2028
  • Fundraising: Ensure continuity of donors engagement and update buisness development plan to the quickly evolvinf funding landscape

Security constraints:

Instable context, undertainties about humanitarian space, access constraints

Your profile

Specific skills and experience:

More than 3 years of experience in similar position and more than 5 years in the field

Technical skills

1. Strategy development

2. Representation and Donor engagement

3. Excellent Management skills and internal communication

Transversal skills

1. Experience in Syria or at least Middle East countries is a strong asset

2. Experience of working with ECHO and BHA would be an asset

3.Exeprience in high level partnership development

Language:

1. Excellent English compulsory

2. Arabic strongly recommended

3 French as a bonus

SI will offer you

A salaried position:

According to experience, starting from EUR 3740 gross per month (3400 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem.

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 two 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:

Living conditions in Damascus are good but power supply remain instable. Security to be closely monitor following regime change.

Application process

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

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.

How to apply

https://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YXNzaXN0LnJlY3J1dC4yNjcwOC4zODMwQHNvbGlkYXJpdGVzaW50ZXJuYXRpb25hbC5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20

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