Head of Mission – Iran At INTERSOS

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Head of Mission – Iran

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-58-10182

Duty station: Tehran with field missions in projects’ locations

Starting date: 01/07/2026

Contract duration: 6 months renewable

Reporting to: Regional Director

Functional Supervisor:

Supervision of: SMT Members

Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Iran hosts the largest refugee population in the region, the vast majority from Afghanistan, amidst a fragile landscape worsened by sanctions and record inflation. The context is currently defined by a dramatic regional escalation placing Iran at the center of a volatile geopolitical crisis. The number of internally displaced people is anticipated to rise further as hostilities, infrastructure damage, and insecurity continue. INTERSOS provides life-saving assistance through Integrated Health & Protection programs, focusing on inclusive access to national health system for Afghan refugees and vulnerable host community. Navigating shrinking humanitarian space and increased scrutiny, the Head of Mission must exercise sophisticated humanitarian diplomacy with national authorities and donors. The mission’s priority remains maintaining operational access and high-quality programming despite regional instability and severe economic strain.

General purpose of the position

The Head of Mission represents INTERSOS in the country and acts on behalf of the Director General, leading the organisation’s response. This includes strategic design and resource mobilisation in a volatile regional context, ensuring the mission is equipped for both long-term refugee programs and acute emergency interventions. The HoM is responsible for identifying new funding opportunities, planning resources, and overseeing the management and implementation of programs while navigating complex humanitarian diplomacy and regional conflict dynamics.

Main responsibilities and tasks:

Strategy and vision

  • Lead the continuous monitoring and analysis of the political and humanitarian situation in Iran and neighboring countries. Translate regional conflict dynamics into actionable contingency plans and identify immediate entry points for emergency interventions.
  • Design, propose, and evolve the country strategy in alignment with INTERSOS values, ensuring the mission can pivot between long-term refugee support and acute conflict response.
  • Explore and secure new funding opportunities; lead fundraising activities with institutional and private donors to expand the mission’s portfolio and leverage impact for affected communities.
  • Monitor shifting donor priorities and regional intervention strategies. Guarantee strict adherence to INTERSOS and donor procedures, ensuring the mission remains a top-tier, low-risk partner in a highly scrutinized environment.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of programs through periodic field visits (security permitting). Evaluate project evolution against international standards to ensure technical excellence and ethical integrity.
  • Greenlight and fast-track project proposals and emergency responses. Evaluate and lead the development of additional, rapid-response programming based on real-time assessments of the regional crisis.
  • Lead the comprehensive country strategy planning process, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve high-impact objectives in a resource-constrained and volatile landscape.

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 Advisor on security issues.
  • 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 Program Coordinator and MEAL.
  • 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 of experience in management positions in humanitarian contexts
  • Experience in leading humanitarian missions in active conflict zones or highly volatile geopolitical environments (essential).
  • Experience leading humanitarian missions in active conflict zones or during rapid-onset regional escalations.
  • Ability to influence donor agendas and navigate “Red Lines” with government counterparts in sensitive political environments
  • Experience with major grants and international donors
  • Experience of working within an insecure environment with responsibility for security planning, monitoring and management
  • Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
  • English
  • 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: grade 14 – 4.505€ – 5.182€ monthly gross
  • Accommodation: Shared Guesthouse
  • R&R: 7 days of psycho-physical recovery every 8 weeks + 1000€ allowance.
  • Annual Leave: 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

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below:

Lavora con noi – Field

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.