Country Director (National Position)

Department

Syria سوريا

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Senior Manager/Supervisor

Near East Foundation

Job Description

Position: Country Director
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Location: Syria
Type: Full-time
Travel: Regular travel within Syria (as feasible) and periodic regional/international travel
Start Date: As soon as possible

Open to: Nationals only

Position Overview

The Country Director (CD) is NEF’s most senior representative in Syria and is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of NEF’s work in the country. The CD provides leadership across programs, operations, partnerships, finances, risk management, safeguarding, and external representation, ensuring alignment with NEF’s mission, values, and global strategy.

The CD leads NEF’s country portfolio in close partnership with Headquarters (HQ), operating within an agreed governance framework that sets out decision-rights, escalation pathways, and shared accountability between country leadership and HQ.

This role comes at a critical moment, as NEF transitions from a remote management approach to in country management. The CD will play a central role in shaping this transition, while ensuring continuity, compliance, and operational stability in a complex and evolving environment.

The position requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively across fragmented governance structures, shifting regulatory frameworks, and high-risk contexts.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Quality

Provide overall leadership of NEF’s program portfolio in Syria, ensuring relevance, quality, and impact
Ensure programs are responsive to evolving needs and grounded in local realities
Oversee program design, implementation, and adaptive management
Promote learning, innovation, and practical problem-solving across teams

Strategy & Syria Transition

Lead the transition toward ensuring alignment between different operational areas
Conduct ongoing context and scenario analysis to inform strategic decisions
Adapt NEF’s presence and engagement model as the political and operational landscape evolves
Ensure coherence between programmatic ambitions and operational realities

Governance, Compliance & Sanctions

Ensure strict adherence to all applicable sanctions frameworks, donor requirements, and NEF policies
Oversee vetting, re-vetting, and due diligence processes for staff, partners, and service providers
Manage compliance risks linked to engagement with different authorities and stakeholders
Ensure that all operations are legally and reputationally sound

Stakeholder & External Engagement

Navigate relationships with multiple authorities and governance structures across Syria
Represent NEF with government counterparts, donors, UN agencies, and partners
Ensure that all external engagement remains aligned with NEF’s principles of neutrality and independence
Manage sensitive engagements in coordination with HQ when required

Operations, Finance & Risk Management

Oversee all country operations (HR, finance, procurement, logistics, IT)
Ensure strong financial management, internal controls, and audit readiness
Maintain and regularly update risk registers, including operational, financial, and reputational risks
Ensure that operations are adapted to context constraints (access, security, regulatory environment)

Safety, Security & Duty of Care

Ensure implementation of NEF’s safety and security framework across all areas of operation
Lead risk-informed decision-making related to access, staff movement, and program continuity
Ensure staff well-being and duty-of-care obligations are consistently met
Coordinate closely with HQ on high-risk decisions and incidents

People Leadership & Team Management

Lead a distributed and multi-layered team, often operating across different locations and contexts
Set clear expectations and maintain accountability across program and operations teams
Support team cohesion and communication despite geographic and structural complexity
Oversee recruitment, restructuring, and workforce planning

Partnerships & Localization

Lead NEF’s partnership approach, including engagement with local actors and implementing partners
Ensure strong due diligence, monitoring, and compliance of all partner agreements
Promote practical and balanced localization, aligned with NEF’s standards and risk appetite

Business Development & Positioning

Identify and shape funding opportunities aligned with NEF’s strategy in Syria
Support proposal development in close coordination with HQ
Ensure all opportunities go through appropriate internal review (go/no-go)
Contribute to building a sustainable and diversified funding base

Safeguarding, Data Protection & Accountability

Ensure full implementation of safeguarding policies and reporting mechanisms
Oversee data protection and sensitive information management
Promote accountability to affected populations, including complaint and feedback systems

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Master’s preferred)

Experience

Minimum 8–12 years of experience in international development or humanitarian work
Significant experience in senior leadership roles
Proven experience working in complex, high-risk, or conflict-affected environments
Strong experience managing donor-funded programs

Skills & Competencies

Strong leadership and decision-making skills in complex environments
Ability to manage ambiguity and operate with limited clarity
Strong understanding of compliance, risk, and governance
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
High level of integrity and sound judgment

Additional Assets

Experience in Syria or similar contexts strongly preferred
Arabic language skills strongly preferred
Experience working with institutional donors

About the Near East Foundation (NEF):

For over a century, the Near East Foundation has been dedicated to building sustainable futures for communities in need across the Middle East, Africa, and Armenia. As an NGO driven by compassion and long-term impact, our team thrives on the challenges of delivering meaningful change in some of the most complex regions of the world. People are at the heart of what we do. Our work empowering individuals and communities, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and stability depends on the passionate, diverse, and committed team that makes it possible.

To apply:

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on May 25, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only Syrian Nationals will be considered for this position.

Please apply by submitting the following documents in English to the Near East Foundation’s careers page at:

Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, explaining how you meet the essential criteria.
Curriculum Vitae.
List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org

Location

Damascus, Syria