Deputy Head of Mission for Programs – Syria – Damascus

Starting Date : ASAP

Duration of Mission : 12 months

Localisation : Syria in Damascus

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. The association leads in average 190 projects by year in the following sectors of intervention: food security, health, nutrition, construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures, water, sanitation, hygiene and economic recovery. PUI is providing assistance to around 5 million people in 20 countries – in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe and France

Find out about our history and values.

Humanitarian situation and needs

The worsening of the situation in Syria over the past 10 years has led to massive population displacement inside and outside Syria. Continued humanitarian assistance is required in terms of health, food, NFIs, shelter, WaSH, education and livelihoods in order to improve the living conditions of the estimated 13.5 million people in need in Syria (OCHA, 2018). The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), RC/RC movement, UN Agencies, national NGOs and INGOs are providing relief to the crisis-affected Syrian population all over the 14 Governorates.

Our action in the field

The current operational strategy for Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI) in Syria is to alleviate the human suffering of the Syrian people in Syria by delivering sound, needs-based humanitarian assistance, while promoting a life-sustaining response. PUI’s positioning on, shelter, education, livelihoods, and WaSH sectors remain a priority.

Based on twelve years of experience conducting humanitarian operations in Syria, supporting Iraqi refugees and lately the population of Syria affected by the crisis, PUI has played an important role in responding to the needs of the population within eleven governorates (Aleppo, Damascus, Rural Damascus, Homs, Hama, Tartous, Lattakia, Dera’a, Deir Ez Zour, Raqqa and Idleb) and through the following interventions:

Rehabilitation of collective and private shelters,
Rehabilitation of infrastructure
Emergency and Early Recovery WASH interventions
Education support for conflict-affected populations (remedial classes, school rehabilitations, free exam preparations, summer class activities, community based initiatives and psychosocial support),
Enhancement of the Population of Syria self-reliance through livelihoods (vocational training course, provision of a professional tool kit (PTK), Small Business grants)

Find out more about our response to the crisis.

As part of our actions in Syria, we are looking for a Deputy Head of Mission for Programs in Damascus.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

Based on the evolution of the structure, the Deputy Head of Mission – Programs ensures the effective, efficient implementation of all activities from a comprehensive project cycle management perspective (identification of needs, proposal making, planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and communication). He/She supports the HoM in representation activities linked to programs.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy HOM for Programs is responsible for the implementation strategy and supports operational management and integration of all technical areas. This includes the primary responsibilities of projects planning/design, programs quality assurance, donor compliance on reporting/documentation, but also to ensure timely, effective and compliant programming in accordance with internal and external principles/requirements. As an implementing organization, PUI places great importance on operational results, beneficiaries well-being and impact evaluation. Thus, the Deputy HOM for Programs plays a key role in overseeing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.

Focus on 3 priority activities related to the context of the mission:

Ensure the stability and continuity of the PUI Syria mission program team
In line with the PUI Syria mission strategy ensure the independence of the response (beneficiary focused)
Ensure the MEAL and impact evaluation of the PUI Syria mission multiyear strategy

Look at the full job description on our website for all the details you need.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCES

Training: Project Management / Donor Rules & Regulations

Professional Experiences:

5 years managing humanitarian projects in multi-sectors (among which at least 2 years in coordination role)
Strong experience in donor project management (proposal, reporting, guidelines…)
Extensive knowledge in donors including (OFDA, ECHO, SIDA, DFID, UN Agencies)
Demonstrated experience in budget development and programs design, implementation & evaluation
Experience in successfully managing institutional partnerships with national and international stakeholders
Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relations with donors and government counterparts
3 years managing team of international and national staff

Knowledge and skills:

Leadership skills and an ability to make decisions
General ability to resist stress and in unstable circumstances particularly
Ability to show authority, if necessary
Analysis (discernment, pragmatism) and synthesis abilities
Adaptability
Organization, rigor and respect of due dates
Great ability to listen and to negotiate
Good people person and good communication skills
Ability to remain calm and level-headed
English mendatory

PROPOSED CONDITIONS

Employed with a Fixed-Term Contract
Monthly gross income: from 2 420 Euros up to 2 750 Euros depending on the experience in International Solidarity + 50 Euros per semester seniority with PUI
Cost Covered: Round-trip transportation to and from home / mission, visas, vaccines…
Insurance: including medical coverage and complementary healthcare, 24/24 assistance and repatriation
Housing in individual accommodation
Daily living Expenses (« Per diem »)
Break Policy: 5 working days at 2, 4 and 8 months of mission + break allowance
Paid Leaves Policy: 5 weeks of paid leaves per year + return ticket every 6 months