Country Director – Syria

About the role

The Country Director for Syria will provide overall strategic leadership for Help’s programme in Syria, ensuring alignment with global strategy, humanitarian principles and the organisation’s localisation approach. This senior role combines programme oversight, partnership management, donor engagement and operational responsibility.

Key responsibilities

• Define and implement the country strategy in close coordination with headquarters, driving growth, innovation and organisational development.
• Represent Help with national authorities, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders, building strategic relationships and securing funding.
• Lead the localisation strategy, fostering equitable partnerships with Syrian civil‑society organisations and overseeing partner assessment, due‑diligence and capacity‑building.
• Provide strategic oversight of programme activities, ensuring high‑quality, accountable implementation, and supervising MEAL, procurement, finance and reporting.
• Develop and support the professional growth of the country team, promoting performance management and effective communication across departments.
• Oversee country budgeting, financial planning, compliance with donor regulations and internal controls, and manage risk proactively.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in humanitarian or development programmes, preferably at country level.
• Demonstrated ability to engage donors, develop funding proposals and secure resources.
• Strong experience in partnership management and localisation within conflict‑affected contexts.
• Track record of overseeing financial management, compliance and risk mitigation.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills.

Required skills