Director, Country Office

UNOPS; Damascus (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS invites applications for Country Office Director to lead operations in Syria and oversee the Lebanon portfolio. You will steer strategic execution, drive program delivery, and ensure financial efficiency in a complex setting.

The role requires senior leadership, alliance-building, and sustained engagement with governments, UN partners, and donors to advance development goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with substantial relevant experience in public affairs, management, or operations.
• Experience leading strategic and managerial initiatives in a large international organization.
• Desirable experience in multicultural, UN, or humanitarian contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage UNOPS delivery and operations within Syria and oversee Lebanon portfolio.
• Develop country office strategy, priorities, and risk management; ensure financial sustainability.
• Represent UNOPS in forums and coordinate with partners and governments for business development.

Skills

Innovation management

Organizational leadership

Portfolio management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic alliances

Strategic partnerships

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Organizational context: The UNOPS Middle East Region supports operations across multiple countries, focusing on delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges. The Syria Country Office, established in Damascus, operates within a dynamic post-conflict environment, aiming to support recovery, reconstruction, and sustainable development. This role also oversees UNOPS' portfolio in Lebanon, working closely with national governments, UN agencies, and donors.

Job purpose: The Country Office Director reports to the Regional Director and is responsible for leading and managing all UNOPS delivery and operations within Syria, while also overseeing the portfolio in Lebanon. This involves strategic leadership, operational excellence, and fostering partnerships to respond to evolving humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction priorities. The role is crucial for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner, developing new opportunities, and ensuring the effective and cost-efficient delivery of services to partners and stakeholders, contributing to sustainable results and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in complex and fragile settings.

Responsibilities: The Director is accountable for people leadership, fostering a culture of trust, diversity, and zero tolerance for misconduct. This includes planning, managing, and developing the workforce. Portfolio management involves developing country office strategy, setting priorities, overseeing implementation, managing risks, and ensuring financial sustainability. The role requires active alliance building, networking, and advocacy for business development with governments and partners. Service delivery and quality assurance are critical, ensuring timely and cost-effective project execution and financial control. Representation and inter-agency coordination involve representing UNOPS in relevant forums, including the UN Country Team, and contributing to UN coherence. Risk management and knowledge management, including promoting innovation and capacity building, are also key duties.

Education: A Bachelor's degree with 12 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 10 years of relevant experience, is required. Experience in strategic and managerial leadership within public affairs, management, business development planning, and operations in a large corporate or international organization is essential.

Work experience: Required experience includes strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, business development planning, and operations within a large corporate or international organization. Desirable experience includes working in multicultural environments, UN system organizations, or in development/humanitarian contexts.

Skills: Innovation Management, Organizational Leadership, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Alliances, Strategic Partnerships, Strategic Thinking.

Required languages: Arabic, English

Desired languages: