Deputy Head of Office / Programme Officer, Swiss Humanitarian Office in Damascus, Syria  

Background

In 2024 16.7 million people within Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance. The country faces a multitude of challenges that makes it one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies. Humanitarian and economic indicators have continuously deteriorated over the years and needs have never been higher since the beginning of the conflict.

The Swiss humanitarian response in Syria follows a “Whole-of-Syria” approach that supports beneficiaries independent of conflict lines and based on humanitarian needs. In parallel, SDC provides assistance to refugees and host-communities in neighbouring countries. 2023 Switzerland pledged 60 million for the affected population in Syria and the countries in the region.

The Swiss Humanitarian Office is currently staffed with two Swiss SHA members – the Head of Humanitarian Office and the Deputy Head of Office/Programme Officer (DHO/PO) – and four local staff.

Tasks

The DHO/PO based in Syria works under the direct supervision of the Head of Humanitarian Office Syria, based in Damascus. The DHO/PO cooperates with the Head of Office in managing SDC-funded projects based in Damascus, ensuring working-level liaison with humanitarian partners and contacts in Damascus, and providing context analysis and reporting.

Programme and Project Cycle Management for Syria (60%)

1. The DHO/PO is responsible for monitoring and supervising cooperation projects and partnerships of humanitarian aid for Syria led from Damascus, forming part of the overall portfolio of the Swiss Cooperation Programme. For these projects and partnerships, the DHO/PO will conduct the Project Cycle Management, in line with SDC’s guidelines, instructions and defined processes.
2. As part of SDC’s Regional Syria Team, the DHO/PO participates in consultations and meetings of the Team, providing input from a Damascus perspective.

Support to liaison and reporting (10%)

• The DHO/PO participates in external coordination meetings related to the Syrian Crisis and contributes to working-level dialogue and communications of the Humanitarian Office with partners and counterparts, with a special focus on SDC project partnerships. 
• The DHO/PO conducts analysis and regular reporting about the humanitarian context from a Damascus perspective, as directed by the Head of Humanitarian Office. He/she will contribute to the general monitoring and reporting on the overall humanitarian context in Syria.

Managerial support to the Humanitarian Office (20%)

• The DHO/PO supervises local staff within the framework of her/his functional responsibilities and as directed by the Head of Humanitarian Office.
• The DHO/PO deputizes for the Head of Humanitarian Office and supports general managerial tasks.
• Other tasks related to the Swiss Cooperation Programme (10%)
• The DHO/PO participates in and contributes to overall programme tasks within the Swiss Cooperation Programme for the Middle East.
• The DHO/PO participates in peer exchanges and SDC network activities.

Job Profile

Education and work experience

• University degree (Master’s level) or comparable education;
• Three to five years of practical professional experience in international cooperation with experience in dealing with humanitarian crisis situations;
• Experience in the coordination and management of humanitarian aid programmes (experience in similar position with SDC a plus);
• Experience and knowledge of bilateral and multilateral development cooperation instruments, in particular Project Cycle Management (PCM).
• Experience in protection, education and/or WASH an asset.
• Experience in difficult contexts with increased security risk (fragile states and volatile contexts).

Professional competencies

·          Conceptual, analytical and writing skills

·          Project leadership and process design,

·          Knowledge of the do-no-harm approach, conflict sensitivity and the humanitarian architecture/coordination are an asset

Leadership and self-competence competencies

·          Leadership and management competencies.

·          Intercultural sensitivity and high political sensitivity.

·          High flexibility and willingness to adapt to rapidly changing work and life circumstances.

Language skills

·          Good knowledge of two official languages and excellent English, Arabic is an advantage.

COVID vaccination highly recommended

Additional condition to be eligible for the job: Swiss citizenship (or Lichtenstein) or holder of a valid Swiss work permit (C)

Duration of Mission: 1 year, starting as soon as possible, extension possible

Place of Mission: Damascus, Syria, with frequent missions to Jordan and Lebanon and field missions.

In case of questions, please contact Laurent Savary ([email protected]), Head of Humanitarian Office Damascus, 058 485 69 59 or Caroline Tissot Baranzini ([email protected]), Deputy Head of Mission IC in Amman, Jordan. 058 462 36 58

Please send the application documents (CV and motivational letter) by email until 24 May 2024 to Isabelle Mellana, HR-Field, [email protected], 058 462 35 29.

Published: 10.05.2024/MZI