Country Representative for Syria, based in Damascus (Link For External Applicants)

IMPACT Initiatives; Vernier; Vor Ort; CHF 80’000 - 100’000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

IMPACT Initiatives, a leading NGO based in Geneva, seeks a Country Representative to spearhead its Syria operations. The role entails strategic leadership, program management, and securing funding in a challenging humanitarian landscape. With a focus on impactful decision-making, the successful candidate will possess significant experience and a Master's degree, driving efforts in the recovery and stabilization of communities.

Leistungen

36 days annual leave

Accommodation provided

Health and life insurance included

Pension enrollment in Swiss private pension fund

Qualifikationen

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in humanitarian contexts.
• Senior management experience in an INGO.
• Fluency in English required.

Aufgaben

• Develop and implement a country strategy aligned with global objectives.
• Oversee project implementation and ensure coordination.
• Secure funding and manage donor relationships.

Kenntnisse

Report writing

Presentation skills

Research skills

Multi-tasking

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Jobbeschreibung

What Is Impact Initiatives

OUR AIM: IMPACT aims to shape practices and influence policies in humanitarian and development settings, to positively impact the lives of people and their communities.

Created in 2010, IMPACT is a Geneva-based NGO and the largest independent data provider in contexts of crisis. We aim to support a range of stakeholders in making better, more informed decisions in humanitarian, stabilisation, and development settings. We believe that a key pathway to better planning and decision making is direct engagement with local communities.

How do we work?

IMPACT takes an initiative-based approach to structuring our programming. Each initiative has a specific aim, operational model, and portfolio of solutions.

• REACH strengthens evidence-based humanitarian decision-making through efficient data collection, management, and analysis - before, during, and after an emergency.
• PANDA improves the impact of humanitarian and development interventions through programme design, assessments, and monitoring & evaluation.
• AGORA promotes localised and multi-sectoral aid action in support of the recovery and stabilisation of crisis-affected communities, in partnership with local stakeholders.

Through our global team of research specialists, on average IMPACT publishes more than 1,700 information products annually.

IMPACT was launched in 2010, at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO headquartered in Paris. The two organizations have a strong partnership, allowing IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in countries of intervention.

We are currently looking for a Country Representative to lead our Syria country office.

Position: Country Representative

Contract duration: 24 months

Start Date: 1 August

Location: Damascus, Syria

Application Deadline: Applications close on 1 July; early applications encouraged and will be processed as received.

COUNTRY PROFILE

After more than a decade of conflict, Syria faces significant humanitarian challenges, including displacement, insecurity, economic decline, water scarcity, and climate impacts. Timely and accurate data remains crucial for targeted humanitarian action. Since 2013, REACH has conducted assessments informing key decisions, primarily in northeast and northwest Syria since 2018. Due to shifting dynamics, IMPACT is relocating its primary office to Damascus to enhance coordination and coverage across Syria.

FUNCTION

Under the management of IMPACT’s Regional Coordinator in Geneva, the Country Representative will:

• Represent IMPACT and manage programs in Syria.
• Lead the team to achieve program excellence, impact, and accountability.
• Maintain communication with HQ and convey organizational risks.
• Promote IMPACT’s vision and values and contribute to global strategies.

The Regional Coordinator will support in finalizing IMPACT's registration in Damascus.

Specific Responsibilities

The Country Representative’s responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a country strategy aligned with IMPACT’s global objectives and Syria’s context. Identify opportunities and explore new areas for impact.
• Program & Project Management: Oversee project implementation, ensure coordination, and enable effective delivery.
• Fundraising & Donor Engagement: Secure funding, develop proposals, and manage donor relationships.
• Finance & Budget Oversight: Manage budgets, forecast, and mitigate financial risks.
• Human Resources & Team Leadership: Lead and develop the team, ensure adherence to policies.
• Representation & Coordination: Build relationships with stakeholders, represent IMPACT legally, and contribute to humanitarian forums.

Requirements

• Academic qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Management experience: Senior management in an INGO, team management in humanitarian contexts.
• Familiarity with aid systems and research community.
• Communication skills: Excellent report writing and presentation abilities.
• Work experience: Minimum 5 years relevant experience.
• Research skills: Experience in assessments, M&E, evaluations is an asset.
• Multi-tasking: Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Independence: Self-starter capable of working independently.
• Cross-cultural environment: Ability to operate effectively.
• Language: Fluency in English required.
• Security environment: Ability to operate in challenging security conditions.

Compensation And Benefits

• Salary: Between 4,800 and 4,920 CHF/month before tax, plus a 500 USD monthly living allowance. Salaries are determined by a grid based on position grade and staff education level, with location adjustments.
• Accommodation: Provided or via a rental allowance.
• Leave: 36 days annual leave, public holidays, family/compassionate leave.
• Pension: Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund.
• Insurance: Health, life, and psychosocial support included.
• Travel: Flight tickets every 6 months and visa fees covered.
• Luggage: Allowance depending on contract length, with insurance.
• Predeparture training: Geneva HQ, Paris HQ, including security training.