Deputy Country Director – Support/Operations

General Purpose:

The Deputy Country Director Support/Operations will assist the Country Director in managing and coordinating the implementation of the Mission projects, the Deputy will also focus on management of the mission resources departments, and serve as acting CD as required.

To learn more about the Syrian Context and our interventions https://www.accioncontraelhambre.org/es/oriente-proximo/siria

Key Activities:

• Objective 1: To support the mission in the optimal implementation of projects: Provide oversight and support the program manager for bases and capital in all stages of PCM, linking this with AAH and donor requirements. Ensure planned projects have adequate resources prior to the start date, challenges are identified and mitigation measures in place Anticipate potential issues and delays in project implementation, acting in advance to mitigate and prevent problems from arising. Define with mission SMT key indicators in order to better detect under execution and improve mitigation measures Ensure the databases are updated for reporting and capitalization purpose With CD/DCD-Program, review proposals, MoUs, contracts, donor reports, etc. with special attention to maintaining high quality of external reporting and compliance with donor rules. Ensure compliance with AAH procedures and optimize these if and when necessary Work together with Mission coordinators to provide constructive feedback on base activity planning, through the review of weekly base reports and activity plans. Define corrective operative plans that would improve the implementation of the activities Elaborate operative scenarios for the mission according to the evolving context and define action plan to meet the scenarios Sign documents as per the delegation of authority (contracts, bank transactions, etc.)
• Objective 2: To manage the mission logistic, administration/finance, human resources and compliance departments, keeping in mind the final objective of improving the operations and projects efficiency: Ensures that support functions are strengthened, and appropriate systems are in place to adequately support programs implementation in all aspects Provide monitoring, counselling, support and empowerment to each coordinator/ respective departments/unit when necessary Liaise with other INGOs, legal advisor, and other relevant stakeholders for effective coordination and implementation of program manager, logistics, HR, administration and compliance. Ensure the setting up and follow up of the mission’s HR policy and coordinate its implementation in the capital and in all bases in accordance with the Syrian legislation, HR policy and AAH staff development In close collaboration with country director, ensures that an efficient and permanent connection/understanding/communication/coordination between programs and resources is optimum Further strengthen and enforce measures to prevent fraud and corruption, promote transparency and accountability culture. Ensure that support functions are characterized by quality, consistency and compliance in lines with AAH strategic priorities, guidelines and Law requirements. Provide selective capacity building of staff as needed and contribute to the career development for program staff Ensure the definition and implementation of robust archiving procedures in all departments (supports, operations, technical)
• Objective 3 : Safety Management: Supervise the work of Logistics Manager (safety part), support FCs in safety management, Respect the security rules specified in the mission and base security plan, see to it that the team under his/her responsibility complies with the security plan and perform the security management tasks that can be assigned in its protocols. Review and enforce safety and security management plans
• Objective 4: Ensure adequate institutional relationships with external stakeholders (national/international), donors and different actors in country: Support the Country Director on donor institutional relationships as requested. Support on coordination and representation with national and local Authorities, as per request from the Country Director.
• Objective 5: Support humanitarian activities of Action Against Hunger: Support the emergency interventions of the organization as per the employee’s abilities. Support any activity that helps reaching our humanitarian goals, as per the employee’s abilities. Serve as Acting Country Director/ during absences (breaks, leave, training, illness etc.). Promote commitment to AAH charter and prevention on power abuses. Promote gender equality within the humanitarian and/or development work.

Candidate description:

• Masters in Finance, Business Administration, Humanitarian or Development Studies or other related field or substantial Humanitarian and Development experience.
• 5 years’ experience in similar positions or head of a large field office or Country Director.
• Demonstrated staff capacity building and management skills.
• Team Management.
• Knowledge in Logistic, Administration/finance, HR, Security Management, and PCM.
• Strong experience in drafting of proposals for humanitarian and development programs.
• Excellent knowledge of donor (EU, ECHO, UN, AECID, etc.) rules and regulations.
• Good management and representation capacity.
• Experience in risk management, fraud prevention.
• Experience in logistics, admin, HR, MEAL.
• English is compulsory, Spanish – French – Arabic is A plus.
• Strong computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and email/internet software.

Remuneration Package:

We offer immediate incorporation to a dynamic international network with the following remuneration package:

Formal work contract: 12 months contract

• Base: Damascus
• Salary: according to Action Against Hunger salary scale and according to candidate’s previous experience.

• This packaged includes:

  • Expatriate insurance (health, live, repatriation, travel, etc.)
  • Break flights/trips to defined area: (break per diem: 215 EUR)
  • Yearly holiday return flight ticket
  • Accommodation and housing expenses (in shared guest house)
  • Travel costs to and from the mission.
  • 25 working days of paid leave per year.
  • Extra per month and per child (Under 18 years old): from 100€ to 225€ monthly (according to standard list of Action Against Hunger -Spain).

• Candidates may be contacted for other suitable positions within Action Against Hunger.

• Due to the high-number of application received, only potential applicants will be contacted.

• Applications will be assessed and vacancy might be closed before the end of the announcement as per qualifications availability.

• The organization is committed to the principles of non-discrimination and diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people.

In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment Action Against Hunger implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.