Head of Mission – Sirya and Lebanon At CESVI

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Work Context

CESVI has been operating in Lebanon since 2001 with a team of highly skilled professionals. The interventions cover the areas of Beirut, Baalbek, Saida and several areas of South and Mount Lebanon with the support of strategic local partners. Core CESVI’s sectors of intervention are Education, Protection and Livelihoods, as well as responding to the emerging humanitarian crisis such as the ongoing conflict and the war in 2024. Over the years, CESVI developed specific methodologies and programmes in support of Small and Medium Businesses, promoting social impact of MSMEs and with a focus on Social Entrepreneurship.

CESVI has been working in Syria since 2023 with interventions in the North West of the Country. Since 2025, the mission shifted the operations in Damascus with an ongoing intervention in Idlib and Daraa. Due to the evolving context, the mission is in a start/up phase, with the ambition of positioning CESVI in the sectors of Education, Protection and Livelihoods and expand its geographical coverage.

Job Description

The collaboration will start in June 2026.

The main duty station will be 60% Syria, 40% Lebanon.

The person will report to the MENA Regional Manager and will work in close coordination with the MENA Regional Team (Reg. Finance Co., Reg. Grants Co., Reg MEAL Specialist and Reg. Protection Specialist as well as relevant HQ focal points.

Counting on a strong in country Senior Management Team, composed by: National Representative, Operations and Security, Procurement Manager, Finance Co, HR Co, HOP/Grants, overall responsible for:

Coordination and overall supervision of the Country’s programmes and procedures

  • Supervising projects and giving support to the staff in reaching foreseen objectives in a timely manner, with respect to deadlines.
  • Monitoring activities

Proposal Writing and Donor Relations

  • Liaising with potential donors, writing and submitting new proposals
  • Donors’ relations and promotion of CESVI’s Programmes
  • Monitoring of calls and development of new project proposals in the country through assessments realized

Act in accordance with national legislation and close contacts with local authorities.

  • Checking and monitoring compliance with national legislation regarding CESVI’s registration in Sirya and Lebanon and other legal provisions affecting NGOs’ work.
  • Ensure compliance with local regulations and local labour law.
  • Attend all relevant coordination meetings with Syrian and Lebanese authorities, in particular linked to ACCESS, in constant coordination with Sirya/Lebanon Security/Access task force composed by National Representative, Liaison East, Security-Access focal point and Regional Manager

Lead in the definition and development of programme country strategy

  • Contributing to the definition of a Country Strategy Paper in collaboration with the Area Manager
  • Identifying the main intervention sectors, areas and needs in the Country
  • Keep regularly informed the HQ about risks related to the implementation of the country strategy or the need to review the strategy itself.
  • Support the evaluation of the activities

Coordination and representation with stakeholders, donors, institutions, local and international partners

Implementation of Safeguarding policies –Adult at Risk/Child Safeguarding/PSEA

Security Management

Human Resources management

Management of CESVI offices, goods, documentation and procurement, supervision and coordination of potential opening of new offices

Essential Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

University degree or post graduate degree, preferably in International Development/Humanitarian sector and/or Psychology/Social Sciences

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES and SKILLS

  • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in NGO humanitarian crisis management, administration and implementation of programs for refugees, IDPs, mix migrants
  • Minimum 2 years of experience as Head of Mission
  • Prior experience in Syria and/or Lebanon
  • Prior experience with AICS
  • Extensive experience of working within a senior management role within a complex country programme in recovery and emergency response/in fragile state/protracted crises
  • Experience of managing multi-donor and multi-site programs
  • Proven leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching
  • Solid diplomatic skills with the ability to manage a variety of internal and external relationships,
  • Familiarity with the following sectors: protection, livelihoods
  • Strong project writing skills and the ability to develop policies, plans, and strategies for implementation
  • Self-motivated, proactive, resilient and able to work independently.
  • Highly result-oriented with the ability to manage workload and stress
  • Good capacity in Security management
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Desirable Requirements

  • Prior experience in Syria
  • Knowledge of Arabic
  • Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)

SAFEGUARDING

CESVI has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a child or a vulnerable adult by any of our staff, related persons or partners.

CESVI commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal records checks or check disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented. Safeguarding checks are part of the selection process performance.

HEALTH SAFEGUARDING

CESVI pays particular attention to safeguarding the health of all the human resources of the Organisation. Therefore, in order to protect its staff, an assessment of their suitability for the position in each mission is carried out before departure. Such assessment is done by the Occupational Doctor of the Organisation, who will also examine the vaccination coverage, including the anti-Covid19 vaccination.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to all candidates. Only those shortlisted and contacted for an initial interview will be updated on the status of their application.

WE OFFER

  • Contract duration: 12 months, renewable
  • Salary range: €3800-4100 gross monthly
  • HA 650 euros or GH, as preferred
  • Health insurance
  • 1 round trip flight each 12 months

How to apply

Please send your Cv and Cover Letter – https://cesvi.org/jobs/head-of-mission-sirya-and-lebanon/?d=relief