Head of Operations Syria

The Head of Operations Syria will ensure coherent, high-quality, and accountable implementation of NRC’s programmes in Syria. The role provides strategic and operational oversight across multiple Area Offices, supporting decentralized decision-making and works closely with senior management to lead the country operation programme and programme implementation.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain Support/Programme/HAS coordination mechanisms and procedures to ensure effective and efficient response.
• Develop guidance for scaling up operational functions aligned with funding scale-up.
• Lead changes to the geographical scope of the country’s programmes and implement change management processes.
• Support Area Offices in strengthening PCM and programme implementation systems, conducting Grants Review Meetings, and ensuring quality and timely implementation with regular monitoring.
• Ensure operational structures are fit for purpose, optimized, and revised regularly for financial viability.
• Oversee area-level Master Budgets ensuring alignment with programme priorities and effective budget monitoring and forecasting.
• Review and update Standard Operating Procedures supporting response implementation as necessary.
• Implement and ensure adherence to NRC governing structures and systems in area offices.
• Lead continuous updates of the Syria Emergency Response plan in line with context analysis and strategy changes.
• Ensure systematic capture, analysis, and escalation of field-level feedback and operational risks to inform national decision-making.
• Support Area Managers in navigating access challenges and operational dilemmas in coordination with HAS department.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to align cross-border initiatives with NRC’s operational and strategic positioning.
• Deputize for the Country Director upon delegation and as necessary.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in humanitarian settings, with demonstrated ability to oversee multi-location operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large and complex portfolios and support teams working under pressure.
• Strong knowledge and experience of NRC systems is an advantage.
• Proven experience in negotiating humanitarian access, managing emergency responses, and leading operations in security-sensitive or hard-to-reach areas.
• Experience engaging and negotiating with government actors, donors, coordination platforms, and implementing partners.
• Previous experience in managing financial systems, budget planning and monitoring, donor compliance, and financial reporting.
• Solid understanding of the project cycle particularly needs assessment, design, planning, implementation, and monitoring, with a focus on adaptive and evidence-based approaches.
• Skilled in establishing and managing coordination mechanisms and balancing programme and support functions.
• Knowledge of the context in Syria and the Middle East.
• Experience working in recovery settings.
• Experience with organizational development, governance and control mechanisms.
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written.
• Arabic is also an advantage in this role.

Skills

• Humanitarian Operations Management
• Multi-location Operations Oversight
• NRC Systems
• Humanitarian Access
• Emergency Response
• Security-sensitive Operations
• Government Engagement
• Donor Relations
• Coordination Mechanisms
• Financial Systems
• Budget Monitoring
• Donor Compliance
• Financial Reporting
• Project Cycle Management
• Needs Assessment
• Programme Design and Planning
• Programme Implementation
• Programme Monitoring
• Adaptive Programming Strategies
• Evidence-Based Approaches
• Organisational Development
• Governance and Control Mechanisms

Languages

English, Arabic