Education and Protection Specialist for Syria
Country Programme: Syria
Contract Length: 12 months with possibility of extention
Base: Damascus (within country and regional travels)
Starting date: June 2026
Line Manager: Programme Director
About the Country Programme
People in Need (PIN) was one of the first international responders to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Since 2012, we have supported millions of people across the country through a wide range of projects, including access to education, food security, livelihoods, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. Our response balances support for internally displaced people with interventions in return areas. This includes education programmes that help returnee children reintegrate into the formal school system; assistance in camps and return locations through cash-based support; WASH services; and winterisation assistance. Livelihoods support continues through small business grants and self-help groups, all underpinned by strong community engagement
About the Role
Under the line management of the Programme Director (PD), and in close collaboration with PIN’s Education in Emergencies (EiE) Advisors (PIN’s Emergency Response & Recovery pillar), PIN’s Protection, Gender and Inclusion Advisor, the EPS has a key role in strategically leading PIN’s Syria Education programme. This includes ensuring overall quality of the EiE program in all PIN’s areas of operation, setting strategic directions, designing new projects, and representing PIN in relevant sectoral networks. Additionally, he/she will act as a focal point for overall protection and Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion mainstreaming in Syria.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Human Capital and Education Systems strategy development- Leads development of PIN Syria’s strategic pillar on Human Capital and Education Systems, aligned with PIN’s global approach and regional priorities;
- Participates in the development of a systematic and strategic approach to partnerships and locally led action for the Education program, including engagement of local partners, government, and other local stakeholders;
- Support the strategic direction for integrating education and child protection programming in Syria through partnerships and capacity strengthening of the PIN team;
- In close collaboration with PD and Business development team, participates in identifying opportunities to increase the scope and quality of PIN’s education portfolio, including search for new funding opportunities or initiatives with potential for piloting and up-scaling;
- Ensures high-quality proposal development in line with donor priorities and technical standards, aligned with PIN’s strategy and objectives.
- In close collaboration with the Education and Protection Manager, provides technical guidance and high-level advisory backstopping to the Education and Protection teams to strengthen program implementation approaches in line with PIN’s technical standards;
- Through a systematic programme quality review process, reviews the quality of EiE interventions, helps to identify gaps, and supports the development and roll-out of structured action plans for quality improvement;
- Participates in project kick-off, review, and closure meetings to ensure strong project management and effective progress tracking;
- Ensures that relevant cross-cutting themes and cross-sectoral cooperation are integrated into EiE programs and tools, with a particular focus on environment mainstreaming and ProGESI mainstreaming;
- Works closely with the PD, Grants, and MEAL Managers to ensure that all education activities have appropriately designed monitoring and evaluation tools and ToRs, and that teams actively use feedback from these systems to inform and adapt ongoing programming;
- Promotes synergies and coordination with other PIN’s strategic pillars through integrated programming and cross-sector collaboration;
- Design and conduct training sessions with the education staff according to the identified needs;
- Regular visits to PIN’s field offices to provide technical support and to ensure that the strategy and quality standards are being followed.
- Leads engagement of PIN with the Ministry of Education and other relevant governmental bodies, including identifying opportunities for system strengthening;
- Contribute to advocacy efforts related to education and protection;
- Represent PIN in Technical, Strategic, and Advisory groups for education and the Local Education Group, where relevant;
- Strengthens and develops relationships with key sector partners – INGOs and local organizations;
- Continuously map and analyse key EDU actors operating in PIN’s areas of intervention (including INGOs, local NGOs, private sector, and other stakeholders), maintaining an up-to-date overview of “who does what and where”, and assessing PIN’s comparative advantage and added value within this ecosystem; ensure this analysis informs strategic positioning, partnership development, and proposal design.
- In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD) and PD, supports donor engagement.
Main requirements:
Competencies and Skills
- Excellent knowledge of education in emergencies programming and links to long-term programming, including standards and policies.
- Good knowledge of cross-sectoral linkages with education and willingness to engage with other sectors (child protection, livelihoods, etc.).
- Strong donor engagement and proposal development skills with key donors (e.g. ECHO/ECW/CBPFs).
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including diplomacy and negotiation, coaching, as well as networking skills and practical experience working with clusters and other coordination/technical platforms.
- Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills.
- Strong skills in capacity development, developing and conducting training.
- Demonstrated knowledge of global standards such as INEE MS, EiE principles, and humanitarian education priorities and practice in conflict/fragile contexts.
- Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and effective in written and verbal communication in English. Competency in another language (fluency in Arabic) is an asset.
Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree in education or related field (though Master’s is preferred).
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in the humanitarian response/international development field and 4 years’ management-level experience in education in fragile or complex contexts.
- Previous technical advisory experience is an asset.
- Experience in strategy development and implementation, and organisational level thought leadership in a technical sector, specifically education in humanitarian settings.
- Experience in technical tools and materials development, monitoring and evaluation, and research in relation to education is highly desired.
- Strong focus and experience on quality teaching and learning, including teacher professional development and measuring learning outcomes.
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 2600 – 3000 EUR super gross (based on experience)
- Additional allowances include:
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- Monthly Subsistence Allowance of 1440 EUR
- Monthly Hardship Allowance of 400 EUR
- Housing Allowance/Accommodation in PIN guesthouse
- Time off and Rest:
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- 25 days of holiday annually
- 10 sick days
- RnR policy
- Travel benefits:
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- 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
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- Reimbursement for the medical check-up before and after the deployment
- Travel health insurance covering medical care, incl. the repatriation
- Health and Well-being:
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- 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 committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. 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.