For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organisation committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations here and abroad. It has continued to bear witness to obstacles that exist in accessing healthcare and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations.

MdM France currently works in 30 countries across all continents to facilitate access to healthcare through 6 political battles:

  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
  • Migration, Exile, Human Rights and Health
  • Harm Reduction
  • Environment and Health
  • Humanitarian Space
  • Healthcare systems and rights

 

Context

On November 26, 2024, opposition forces (HTS) launched a military offensive against the Assad Government in northwestern Syria, particularly in the governorates of Aleppo and Idlib. The offensive progressed rapidly, advancing toward the central and southern regions of the country, including Hama and Homs, before reaching Damascus on December 8, 2024. HTS’s entry into Damascus marked the fall of the Assad Government, resulting in the President and his family fleeing the country.

Today, HTS is de facto in control of the part of Syria that was previously controlled by the Assad Government. Northeast Syria remains controlled by Kurdish forces (SDF); furthermore, the border area with Türkiye in the Northwest and Northeast Syria remains controlled by the Syrian National Army, supported directly by Türkiye.

 

In this context, Médecins du Monde is opening a mission in Syria.

 

Job description

Under the supervision of the desk manager (based in HQ), you are in charge of the overall strategic leadership and direction of the MdM Syria mission to achieve the organizational mission and objectives.

 

More specifically, your main responsibilities are the following:

  • Ensure the implementation of needs assessment and the kick-off phase of the mission
  • Recruit, manage, train and motivate the mission’s team
  • Define the operational and advocacy strategy together with the coordination team, the desk manager and the volunteer board delegates of the mission
  • Plan and monitor activities, implement corrective action when necessary, providing technical support to the team
  • Represent MdM with authorities, local actors, partners, donors and the media
  • Monitor partnership agreements with partners, authorities and donors, seek out and develop new partnerships, and ensure or supervise fundraising
  • Ensure the security and safety of MdM’s personnel, programs and assets in Syria
  • Ensure the financial coverage of the mission by leading fundraising and budget management
  • Draft, adapt and monitor safety regulations and procedures and coordinate crisis management in the region
  • Implement and monitor the application of MdM’s programmatic and support services framework, policies and procedures
  • Supervise reporting to MdM and donors

 

Required profile

  • Higher education in project management or general field of study (five years post-secondary education)
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in the humanitarian sector
  • Previous experience in a similar position
  • Substantial experience in safety and security management, including in volatile context
  • Experience in risk analysis and access strategies development
  • Proven managerial experience of an expatriate and national team within insecure environments
  • Experience in representation with humanitarian actors, authorities and donors
  • Experience in hard negotiations with local authorities and staff
  • Experience in mission opening is an asset
  • Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style
  • Diplomacy, negotiation and networking skills
  • Ability to lead a team in a complex environment and take relevant decisions according to the context
  • Languages: fluent English mandatory (oral and written). Knowledge of Arabic is an asset
  • You embrace the core values and support the proactive philosophy of Médecins du Monde

Conditions of employment

  • Starting date : as soon as possible
  • 3-month contract
  • Gross monthly salary: €3,964
  • Position based in Damascus with regular field visits to sites of intervention or assessment ·       (Rural Damasucs, Homs, other Governorates)
  • Premium equal to one month salary paid in two instalments – minimum of 6 months seniority required
  • Expatriation bonus (10% gross salary per month)
  • Transportation cost, vaccines and visas covered
  • Guesthouse housing
  • 22.5 recovery days per year
  • 5 weeks of paid leaves per year
  • Health insurance (50% covered by MdM and 50% by the employee)
  • Insurance (repatriation…)

 

Médecins du Monde promotes trainings and internal mobility

As part of our measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism, any selected candidate may be subject to a background check on international sanctions lists (UN, the EU, France, the United States…). This information is handled confidentially and stored on a secure server. For more information on the processing of personal data throughout this process: http://bit.ly/3CSTDYO

 

TELEPHONE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Médecins du Monde reserves the right to fill the vacancy before the closing date for applications.

MdM stands up for the integration of people living with disabilities and fights against discrimination.