*Accompanied – spouse only position.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

To provide strategic leadership for the design, implementation and funding of World Vision’s Response inside Syria.

To lead the Syria Country Office – based in Amman and with its operational Area Offices – ensuring that the strategy is meeting desired goals and objectives while being well coordinated and integrated with programmes in other countries in World Vision’s broader Syria Crisis Response.

To proactively act as the senior most representative for World Vision and its response inside Syria externally with partner agencies, the UN, donors and national-level stakeholders.

To ensure that the Syria Country Office activities are implemented in line with World Vision’s Disaster Management Standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy/Plan:

• Lead the development of a Syria country strategy that aligns with the overall World Vision Regional and Response strategies and which reflects the evolving and complex context inside Syria.
• Ensure strategic and operational alignment of all office functions to meet humanitarian needs while taking into account operational feasibility and technical quality.
• Support the Syria Operations Manager in assessment and implementation of risk management standards and protocols, including with the development and implementation of World Vision’s Syria Remote Management Standard Operating Procedures.
• Lead in the planning and acquisition of funding to implement the strategy.
• Monitor appropriateness and implementation of strategy and transition plans.
• Ensure that a clear exit or transition plan is established as required.

Leadership & Management:

• Directly manage World Vision’s Syria Senior Operations Manager (responsible for the operational management of World Vision’s Area Offices implementing activities inside Syria) as well as World Vision’s Syria Programme Manager (responsible for overall Syria-level strategy and program design).
• Promote World Vision’s vision, core values and key global partnership standards and practices among the staff and partner agencies.
• Lead the senior management team in a manner that facilitates a high performance culture, openness, strong relationships, integrity and decisiveness.
• Ensure an organisational structure that results in optimal efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure implementation of World Vision’s performance management standards and principles for all staff.
• Ensure internal communications mechanisms are in place so policies, information and decisions are shared with staff as appropriate.

Collaboration & Networking:

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships and partnerships with host government, bi-lateral donors, other NGOs, UN agencies, civil society and diverse faith-based organisations.
• Proactively participate in Whole of Syria-level coordination platform in close coordination with both UN leadership and Syria INGO leadership.
• Ensure that World Vision leadership receives timely information about areas of conflict that potentially affect World Vision’s presence and effectiveness in Syria.
• Actively engage in relevant national coordination mechanisms and, where relevant, consortium meetings.
• Ensure advocacy is effectively integrated across sectors, in particular child-focused themes aligned with strategy and organisational priorities.

Ministry Standards/Accountability:

• Ensure programme development and implementation are meeting World Vision priorities and standards.
• Ensure that feedback and complain mechanisms for beneficiaries, communities, other stakeholders and World Vision staff are in place and acted on.
• Ensure that all programmes are implemented, monitored and evaluated according to agreements with donors and other stakeholders.

Finance & Compliance:

• Ensure financial resources are managed according to agreements with donors and standards approved by World Vision.
• Ensure that audit reports are responded to and recommendations implemented within approved / agreed timeframes.

Human Resources:

• Ensure that local HR policies are adapted and aligned with those of World Vision International.
• Promote a culture of learning and development, employee engagement and good stewardship of human capital in the office.
• Ensure that the quality of staff recruited and retained are at a level to meet the organisation’s overall performance expectations.
• Ensure HR establishes a staff care function and mechanism that supports staff well-being.

Security:

• Ensure that World Vision’s security policies and protocols for Syria are implemented and monitored on a regular basis.
• Ensure the ongoing monitoring of the external security environment.
• Ensure experienced, high quality staffing of the security function.

Reporting & Knowledge Management:

• Liaise with programme and information management teams to ensure internal and external reporting requirements are planned for and quality report submitted on time.
• Ensure that communication products are developed and disseminated to internal and external audiences.
• Ensure internal coordination & information sharing mechanisms result in improved staff awareness and performance.
• Ensure the Syria Country Office has a structured approach to meeting WV minimum quality standards and supporting programme improvement, reflection, learning and innovation.

General:

• Perform other tasks assigned by the Response Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• University degree or qualification in a relevant subject with a focus on team management, project management or other relevant skills.
• Strong commitment to WV’s vision, mission and core values.
• 8 + years proven experience with International NGOs in emergency relief, rehabilitation and transition programming, including overseeing the delivery of complex programming in insecure contexts.
• Prior World Vision experience essential.
• Proven track record of leading multi-cultural teams in complex, culturally and politically-sensitive contexts.
• Proven track record of growing and managing multi-million dollar budgets.
• Politically astute and well developed diplomatic skills (dealing with host governments, donors and staff).
• Extensive experience in programme management and implementation of multi-sectoral emergency response projects.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success as a collaborator and team builder committed to the transfer of knowledge.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Responsible steward of resources and assets.
• Innovator and calculated risk taker.
• Understands, values and promotes diversity to achieve organizational goals.
• Knowledge of computer software such as MS Office and email programs.
• Fluent in English (written and oral).
• Experience in the Middle East.
• Knowledge of Arabic.
• Full adherence to World Vision Child Protection, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies.

Work Environment/Travel:

• Position requires willingness and ability to continue to function in unpredictable and potentially hostile environments.
• At least 25% travel required.