Country Director, Syria

The Country Director will lead Plan International Syria’s strategic and operational efforts to deliver high-quality humanitarian and early recovery programming that addresses the needs and vulnerabilities of children, girls, youth, and affected communities across Syria, in line with the Country Strategic Plan. This role involves ensuring well-funded, contextually relevant programmes, leading a motivated team, and maintaining compliance with Plan International’s policies and standards in a complex and volatile environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive forward a sustainable and inclusive Country Strategy aligned with Plan International’s Values and Global Strategy.
• Provide leadership in exploring and diversifying new programme and business opportunities from institutional donors.
• Represent Plan’s work and advocacy priorities to all key stakeholders.
• Recruit, develop and retain a high performing team skilled and motivated to deliver Global and Country Strategic Plans.
• Ensure senior management team alignment with purpose, strategy and values-based leadership framework.
• Drive positive culture change across the country office, embracing feminist principles and accountability.
• Ensure cost effective and efficient country office organisation design.
• Continuously improve country office operations including grants, financial management, safety and security, supply chain and planning.
• Ensure accurate and timely Annual Plans and Budgets and compliant financial management.
• Deliver work on time with measurable impact and compliance with donor requirements and Plan policies.
• Ensure organisational risks are identified and managed with clear roles and responsibilities.
• Embed Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion policies fully.
• Lead Plan International Syria’s localisation and partnership approach promoting principled, conflict-sensitive programming.
• Build the organisation’s reputation, operational presence, and funding portfolio.
• Foster strong relationships with local partners, UN agencies, donors, civil society, and authorities.
• Contribute to the overall learning and strategic direction of Plan International’s MEESA region.

Requirements

• Experienced international leader with a strong track record of leading diverse, high-performing teams in complex environments.
• Deep expertise in delivering programmes in fragile contexts, with a strong understanding of child rights, gender equality, and the wider political, social, and humanitarian landscape.
• Skilled in building partnerships and influencing stakeholders across government, NGOs, and donors.
• Proven capability in negotiation, donor compliance, and financial management.
• Strategic and values-driven leader who sets clear direction, makes sound decisions in uncertainty, and delivers results through others.
• Champion inclusion and gender equality, and build strong, motivated teams.
• Effective communicator able to engage and influence a wide range of audiences while fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Skills

• Programme Delivery in Fragile Contexts
• Child Rights Expertise
• Gender Equality
• Political and Humanitarian Analysis
• Partnership Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Negotiation
• Donor Compliance
• Finance Management
• Strategic Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Inclusion Promotion
• Effective Communication
• Learning and Development
• Humanitarian Programming
• Early Recovery Programming