Country Director for Syria

Country Programme: Syria

Contract Length: 2 years

Base: Damascus

Starting date: January 2026

Line Manager: Regional Director

About the role

The Country Director (CD), a main representative of People in Need (PIN) at the country level, is responsible for strategic leadership, external representation and overall management of the CP. The CD ensures compliance with PIN values, policies and the strategy of the Relief and Development Department (RDD). The CD manages risks, ensures compliance with environmental and social standards, and supervises the quality of programmes and all support functions.

Mid-term goal for the CD is to implement transitional strategy aiming to build integrated and consolidated whole of Syria country program. Redefine the strategy in the country focusing more on recovery and development agenda aiming at PIN transforming its role from service provider into technical advisor and vector of change. This however does not mean that PIN will get rid of its mandate to support vulnerable population.

Reporting Relations & Interdependencies with Other Functions

The CD’s line manager is the Regional Director (RD). The CD supervises the Program Director, Operation Director, and External relation Director. Furthermore, he line manages access/security manager and accountability team.

The CD is the chair of Country Management Team (CMT) and Senior Management Team (SMT). Furthermore he is part of Country Lead Team (CLT).

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Is responsible for fulfilling the strategy, vision and mission of the RDD in compliance with the core values of PIN; 
• gives strategic direction related to PIN’s presence in the country; the CD is responsible for the formulation of a country’s strategy in line with the RDD strategy, as well as its implementation and communication within the team; 
• follows country development, politics and trends within the donor environment;
• ensures the relevance of PIN programmes to the local as well as global context, ensures programmes are built on local capacities and considering policy and governance, markets and the private sector, climate change and other global trends;  
• with support in consultation with the RD, the CD initiates new programmes and interventions in new sectors; 
• supervises the economy of the country programme and ensures that the CP is covering country-born costs; 
• strives for financial stability and the diversification of financial resources; 
• strengthens “a local identity” of the country programme and ensures compliance with local rules and regulations; 
• is responsible for contingency planning and emergency preparedness; with support from the HQ, manages/supervises new emergency responses; 
• provides support and creates space to accountability team for independent implementation of its tasks, being member of investigation committee ensures that fair and equal approach in investigation is applicable for all cases
• follows the security development in the country and suggest adequate and proper response to identified risks
• ensures that medium-term and short-term plans, as agreed with headquarters (HQ), are implemented; 
• contributes to the organisational development and strategy of PIN, provides HQ with feedback to established procedures, and dedicates time to and participates in the relevant global/regional strategic meetings. 

• Promotes team spirit, a culture of respect, personal responsibility, transparency and openness; 
• makes sure there is no place for any form of discrimination within PIN teams; 
• ensures all staff are aware, understand and comply with relevant PIN policies and rules, the Code of Conduct and key policies, including the PSEA and Safeguarding Policy; 
• makes sure any reported suspicions of breaches of PIN policies are properly investigated and reported to management;  
• ensures that HR related roles and responsibilities are assigned to staff with an adequate level of seniority and that their performance and capacity needed is regularly evaluated;  
• together with RD, ensures that current and future human resource needs are identified and correspondingly budgeted reflecting the current and forecasted scope of the country programme; 
• together with HR director, ensures main HR procedures are in place, followed, and well-documented including: transparent recruitment based on clear job descriptions, new staff induction and onboarding, regular performance evaluation, mapping of training needs against core competencies, planning of capacity development, employment termination, duty of care, HR administration and regular revision of salary scale and national staff handbook; 
• ensures that the capacity development of national staff is properly managed and financed and that PIN internal resources (e-learning, webinars) are utilized;  
• provides the senior staff under her/his direct supervision with regular feedback and support.

• Is the legal representative of the organisation in the country; 
• duly represents PIN at Syrian NGO forum (newly established);
• actively participates in the discussion of coordination bodies in WoS response;
• builds strategic relationships and formally represents PIN towards local authorities, donors, partners, the Czech embassy; 
• is formally as well as informally networking and developing partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in the country – clearly define the split of agenda between External relations director and CD;
• maintains a good partnership within Alliance 2015 (if PIN is a leading agency of the Alliance 2015, ensures Alliance coordination mechanisms are in place); 
• is responsible for the PIN brand at the country level, visibility and external communication; 
• ensures a strategic approach in advocacy and personally advocates for the interests of our beneficiaries. 

• Adhering to the PIN Safety and Security Policy and country-relevant procedures; 
• strives for the maximum safety and security of PIN’s staff and assets and ensures an awareness of risks and mitigation strategies; 
• ensures a balance between the accepted level of risk and the urgency of programmes (as per the Risk Management Policy); 
• ensures that the Do-no-harm approach and maximum protection of PIN’s beneficiaries is applied; 
• executes crisis management; leads the Incident Management Team (IMT). 

Main requirements:

• Degree in a relevant field (humanitarian action, social sciences, etc.);
• experience in managing a Country Program or large emergency response and/or development programs, with strong proficiency in budgeting and financial management of a CP or major initiative;
• knowledge of institutional donor environment (UN, ECHO, EU, BHA, etc.), and extensive experience with donor liaising, external communication, and strategic program planning;
• strong leadership skills and extensive experience with management, supervision and capacity building of diverse teams;
• strategic thinking, analytical skills and sound judgement;
• ability to organize and plan effectively, follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work in difficult conditions and under pressure;
• outstanding communication skills (written and spoken);
• fluency in English - written and spoken;
• experience of working in complex and volatile contexts;
• previous experience from Syria and understanding of the Syrian context is an asset;
• understanding of project cycle and principles of humanitarian and development work;
• high ethical standards; gender and cultural sensitivity; and demonstrated patience and overall outstanding interpersonal skills;
• Commitment to and understanding of PIN’s goals, values, and principles.

We offer:

• Working environment in a well-established humanitarian organization in a challenging context;
• Salary & Benefits: Salary based on PIN’s salary scale and HR policies; expected salary range between 3200 – 3400 EUR super gross (based on experience).
• Additional allowances include:

• • Monthly Subsistence Allowance of 1440 EUR;
  • Housing Allowance/Accommodation in PIN guesthouse

• Time off and Rest:

• • 25 days of holiday annually;
  • 10 sick days

• Travel benefits:

• • Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once every 6 months of work;
  • Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with the visa application procedure;

• • Reimbursement for the medical check-up before and after the deployment;
  • Travel health insurance covering medical care, incl. the repatriation;

• Health and Well-being:

• • 24/7 Medical Support available online;
  • Free psychological consultations available online;

• Professional Development: Free access to e-learning platforms and PIN Learning Hub; PIN’s global Induction Training, and tailored capacity-building opportunities

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this position, send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.

Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and is committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involved. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.