Area Manager – South Central Syria (SCS)

About World Vision

For more than 75 years, World Vision has been committed to making a positive and lasting difference in the world. We have become a global leader in improving and transforming the lives of children, their families, and their communities. We help children, families, and communities overcome poverty and injustice, irrespective of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Every child deserves a life rich in meaning and purpose. We work with the most vulnerable children in the world so they can experience life in all its fullness.

Location: Syria - Damascus

Job purpose:

The Area Manager role provides strategic leadership and coordination for operational programming, serving as the principal point of contact for government, UN, and humanitarian stakeholders. The position ensures project alignment with organizational strategy, navigates complex regulatory environments, and maintains operational access and compliance. The post holder is expected to lead on the development, planning, implementation, and monitoring of programming in Northeast Syria (NES), working closely across all departments, including Technical Advisors, Grant Acquisition and Management, Finance, People and Culture, Partnerships, Security, and Program Support, to achieve high-quality results and operational excellence.

The post holder is also in charge of positioning and strengthening WVSR’s engagement with governmental entities and key stakeholders in SCS, ensuring informed operational presence, and supporting the expansion and integration of program operations, as well as supporting the Risk & Compliance department in registration as needed. The position will report to the Deputy Director of Field Operations

Major Responsibilities:

Portfolio Management and Oversight:

Ensure that the portfolio of projects has sectoral alignment per the Syria Response strategy.
Ensure assigned projects are properly planned and implemented to meet agreed results, timelines, and budget indicators.
Ensure that assigned projects are adequately staffed to facilitate effective implementation.
Facilitate reporting on the progress of field implementation.
Analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of field implementation and introduce corrective measures where needed (key focus on managing burn rates).
Ensure proper implementation of projects (financially and programmatically) according to WVSR standards throughout the life of the Project Cycle Management
In collaboration with the Partnerships Manager, identify areas for staff/partner development
Engage with partners constructively to facilitate effective partnerships on projects under the portfolio.

Project Planning and Design:

Work closely with Technical Advisors and GAM on planning and designing new proposal log frames
Lead /support respective Project Managers in developing the project budget (DPC) during the design process

Staff Management:

Determine staffing requirements and facilitate hiring and orientation.
Facilitate staff training and development.
Set objectives for staff, monitor their performance and provide feedback.
Ensure staff wellbeing.

Liaison and Coordination:

Represent World Vision Syria Response (WVSR) in SCS and engage with local authorities, administrative bodies, and coordination platforms to ensure smooth operational access and compliance.
Coordinate with concerned Syrian Government agencies and facilitate approval of new projects
Act as WVSR's representative in Area Coordination Groups at the sub-national level, aligned with the Syria NGO Forum and UN Hubs in SCS.
Participate in relevant meetings, conferences, and cluster coordination forums by authorities, organized by authorities, UN agencies, and humanitarian actors.
Lead high-level discussions with security forces, local councils, and government entities to facilitate approvals, resolve access issues, and maintain operational continuity.
In coordination with the Risk and Compliance Unit, initiate the formal registration process for WVSR with authorities yearly, ensuring compliance with local governance requirements.
Coordinate and engage the Risk and Compliance Unit for support for all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between WVSR and authorities, ensuring all agreements are finalized for the project start-up.
Ensure all correspondence with authorities adheres to WVSR policies and is documented, retained, and filed in an organized and secure manner.
Work with authorities to secure all required authorizations and permissions for local staff movement and distributions, for project implementation, and facilitate international staff to move and cross the WVI NES office.
Coordinate with WVSR partners to ensure proper representation of WVSR in all official documentation, including permits, MoUs, and annual reports.

Internal Process Support:

Support the Deputy Director of Field Operations with correctly implementing established internal processes.
Raise and highlight any discrepancies or malfunctions in the design of internal processes vis-à-vis the correct implementation.
Support the revision and correction of internal processes within WVSR in coordination with other departmental functions

Knowledge/Qualifications for the Role

Required Professional Experience

A minimum of 8 years of humanitarian and development experience in Syria.
Experience designing and implementing multi-sector humanitarian programs
Experience managing and overseeing budgets of at least $3M
Experience working across multiple internal departments, convening and leading people.
Experience with remote management and partner management
Strong communication skills with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively (oral and written) with senior members of the humanitarian community as well as with field practitioners.
Knowledge of computer software such as MS Office and email programs.

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification:

Post-graduate university degree in International Development or other related majors OR significant humanitarian leadership experience in lieu of formal education requirements.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

Comprehensive knowledge of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, Refugee Law, the relevant positions of the UN, ICRC, and major NGOs on protection of civilians, in particular of IDPs, women, and children, the codes of conduct, the Humanitarian Charter, The Sphere Project, etc.
Detail-oriented, with demonstrated experience in follow-up and ensuring complex ideas turn into action.
Concrete, practical hands-on experience in remote management aid delivery contexts.
Strong knowledge of key sectoral areas, including programmatic approaches to health and protection programming.
Experienced and confident in external representation with donors and within formal and informal coordination structures
Highly developed communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated success as a collaborator and team builder committed to the transfer of knowledge.
Ability to work effectively under pressure.
Innovator and calculated risk taker.
Understands, values, and promotes diversity to achieve organizational goals.
Experience designing and implementing programs in Syria, through partners, is highly preferred.
Full adherence to World Vision Child Protection, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest policies.
Experience in establishing, designing, and implementing cross-border programs through partners is highly preferred.

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time.
Position will be based in
Damascus, Syria

Physical Requirements:

Language Requirements

Essential: Strong English and Arabic communication skills (oral and written)

كيفية التقديم

If you meet our requirements, please submit your resume via the link below; only applications submitted via our link are accepted. " https://sy-koboviews.lmms.org/x/uejnDLLh "

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Qualified females and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

We believe in equal opportunities for all applicants. We look at every candidate's merit, qualifications, and professional skills. We don't care about gender, ethnicity, race, color, or anything else. We want to create a diverse environment where everyone feels respected and confident.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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