INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.
Terms of reference
Job Title: Head of Mission
Code: SR-53-10265
Duty station: Damascus, Syria (with regular visits to field locations)
Starting date: 15/11/2026
Contract duration: 12 months
**Reporting to:**Regional Director
Functional Supervisor:
**Supervision of:**Mission SMT
Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station
General context of the project
Following the major political transition and the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, Syria’s humanitarian landscape in 2026 is characterized by massive returns of refugees and internally displaced persons. The international focus is shifting towards long-term recovery – albeit funds to support this recovery are slow to come. At the same time, the impact of over a decade of conflict, damaged economy, crippled infrastructure, and severe climate shocks makes Syria still one of the most complex humanitarian crises. This is coupled by a critical funding crisis with the humanitarian appeal only 20% funded.
Since 2019, INTERSOS has maintained a strategic presence across high-need areas in Syria, focusing on regions where infrastructure damage and displacement have severed civilian access to essential services. Currently, operations are centered in Rural Damascus, Hama, and Idlib governorates, with strategic plans underway to expand the response into southern areas. With established operational offices in Damascus and Hama, INTERSOS is well-positioned to address the massive influx of returnees, support the transition for local communities through integrated programming and fostering social cohesion, and reach underserved communities and the most vulnerable groups.
INTERSOS is currently implementing multi-sectoral programs funded by international donors such as ECHO, AICS, and Stichting Vluchteling (SV). The intervention strategy prioritizes Community-Based Mechanisms and an increased focus on localization. These interventions are designed to bridge the gap between emergency relief and early recovery across three primary sectors:
- Health: Supporting Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) through the provision of essential free medications, medical equipment, clinical staffing, and the rehabilitation of damaged clinics. This component includes operating Mobile Medical Teams (MMTs) and Mobile Health Units (MHUs) to extend integrated healthcare – including pediatric care, reproductive health, and chronic disease management – to remote and hard-to-reach communities.
- Protection: Running integrated protection programming across static centers and mobile teams. This includes specialized case management, psychosocial support (MHPSS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, disability inclusion, comprehensive child protection programmes and cash for protection.
- Livelihoods: Integrating economic support by conducting labor market and socio-economic assessments to provide vocational training and small start-up grants to beneficiaries referred directly from the protection activities.
General purpose of the position
The Head of Mission represents INTERSOS in the country and acts on behalf of the Director General, leading the organization’s response, including strategy design, planning resources, management and implementation of programs.
Main responsibilities and tasks:
Strategy and vision
- Is responsible for monitoring and analysing the political and humanitarian situation across the country and surrounding countries through established contacts and carrying out exploratory missions to identify potential fields of intervention. Design, propose, elaborate and develop new strategy of interventions in line with INTERSOS values and principles.
- Explore and present funding opportunities that integrate initiatives and leverage impact for the communities; support and direct fund-raising activities with institutional and private donors.
- Monitor donor’s priorities and intervention strategies in the country. Guarantee the strict observance and adherence to INTERSOS and donors’ procedures.
- Overview the development and implementation of projects and programs and through periodic visits to the areas of intervention, evaluate their evolution and quality as per internal and external standards and requirements, final results and achievements to ensure that organization’s technical and ethical standards are respected and objectives are achieved.
- Greenlight project proposals and response to emergencies to be submitted to HQ for approval. Evaluate potential emergency responses in the country and lead on developing additional programs in line with review and assessment results.
- Lead the detailed country strategy planning process and prioritising of actions and resources to achieve program objectives.
Representation and advocacy
- Represent the organisation and manage relations with the authorities ensuring smooth and timely implementation of planned interventions and safeguarding impartiality and independence.
- Follow up, guarantee and monitor government recognition procedures for the organisation in compliance with the host country formalities.
- Maintain a productive communication with donors and ensure that the assessed needs are communicated to impact on donors’ priorities.
- Represent INTERSOS in relevant fora.
People management
- Ensure that the senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in key decision-making processes.
- In coordination with the HR Coordinator, guide and supervise the staff performance process for international and national staff.
- Ensure the respect organisational values, Code of Ethics, Organization Management and Control Model, and INTERSOS procedures.
- Maintain high ethical standards and promote teamwork and ensure a productive working environment.
- Empower staff to meet organizational goals and work as a highly functioning and cooperative team.
Finance, logistics and supply
- Together with the Finance Coordinator, define and oversee the overall financial management of the mission, striving towards financial sustainability and assume responsibility for the mission funds management (NGO budget).
- Ensure that allocated resources are managed effectively and transparently.
- Together with the Logistics and Supply Coordinator, ensure that required and efficient supply services and processes are in place.
Safety and security
- Hold final accountability for security, including development and validation of country security plan and ensuring adherence to procedures, monitoring of the context development, analysis and provision of recommendations.
- Regularly interact with the Regional Office and the Security & Access Advisor on security issues (if available).
- Hold final responsibility for any decision concerning security in the country.
Accountability and quality control
- In collaboration with the SMT is responsible to produce and submit the mission monthly activity reports.
- Continuously assess, analyse and evaluate the impact of the country program and operations, also through periodic visits to the areas of intervention, in collaboration with the SMT.
- Ensure all the policies within INTERSOS Safeguarding Framework are respected by the staff
- Together with MEAL Department, supervise the effectiveness of a complaint feedback mechanism
- Oversee program quality and impact in line with established strategic objectives and related indicators.
- Oversee program reporting, ensuring compliance with INTERSOS policies and procedures, donor regulations and national requirements.
Required profile and experience:
- University degree Project management, International Affairs, Development, International Political Economy or other relevant field
- Eight years experience in management positions in humanitarian contexts
- Experience with NGOs in humanitarian settings
- Experience with major humanitarian grants and international donors
- Experience of working within an insecure environment with responsibility for security planning, monitoring and management
- Essential computer literacy (MS office or equivalent, et alia)
- English proficiency is essential
- Arabic knowledge is considered an advantage
- Strategic vision
- Good organizational and planning skills
- Leadership, team management and cooperation
- Behavioral flexibility
- Networking, negotiation skills and decision-making skills
- Diplomatic, interpersonal and good communication skills
- Ability to take initiative and work independently
- Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills
- Commitment to INTERSOS principles
General conditions and benefits:
- Salary range: 14 – 4.505€ – 5.182€ monthly gross
- Accommodation: Shared Guesthouse
- R&R: 7 days of psycho-physical recovery every 12 weeks + 1000€ allowance.
- Annual Leave:Â 2.5 days per month
- Medical insurance for the staff
- Transportation and visa: Round-trip flights. For missions lasting at least 9 months, an additional flight ticket to the Country of residence and return to the mission will also be provided.
- Induction: one week of online induction before the deployment
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below:
https://www.intersos.org/field/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/6a66231dabc8c2d503b77dce
Please note that our application process is made of 3 quick steps: register (including your name, email, password and citizenship), sign-up and apply by attaching your CV in PDF format. Through the platform, candidates will be able to track their applications’ history with INTERSOS.
Please also mention the name, position and contact details of at least three references: two line managers and one HR referent. Family members are to be excluded.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.