Deputy Director – Syria

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1000 NGOs operating in 16 of the world’s most insecure countries.

INSO is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands- the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Syria

The INSO Syria platform supports more than 200 NGOs to deliver aid and assistance to an estimated 13.1 million people in need across the country. First launched as an emergency response operation in 2014, INSO Syria has grown to have a region-wide presence with offices in Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, North-East Syria and the Country Office in Amman, Jordan. The Syria conflict is unique and complex and you will find that no day is the same working at INSO Syria and there is always more to learn.

The Deputy Director is based in Amman, Jordan, with travel to Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria and reports to the Country Director.

Job Summary:

As Deputy Director, you will oversee all aspects of service delivery and plays a key role in ensuring that INSO provides the best support possible to NGOs through services to beneficiaries in the regional security environment. Specific responsibilities include implementation and monitoring of services delivery, management of program team and support to broader program strategy development and implementation.

You should have a strong background in NGO safety and security, be outgoing, inquisitive and detail oriented, and have significant experience building and leading high performing teams. In addition, you will need to analyse complex security issues and contexts and share INSO’s commitment to humanitarian principles.

Major Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and Management

• Direct management of the program team- Safety Advisors, Training Manager, Information Manager; including recruitment, training, orientation, and on-the-job mentoring
• Steering the program during the Country Director’s absence

Service Delivery

• Editorial responsibility for bi-monthly analytical report
• Support the Country Director in the preparation of quarterly reports and monthly CD meetings
• Supervise and provide quality assurance of INSO service delivery and products
• Along with the Information Manager, ensure the Conflict Humanitarian Data Centre is up to date and that all standards and internal protocols are respected
• Represent INSO and liaise with third parties, including NGOs, the UN and international donors

Program Development

• Support program development and implementation
• Develop and implement internal security management policy, SOPs and guidelines

Mandatory Requirements

• Exemplary command of English
• Graduate level education or equivalent work experience
• Significant experience in insecure/conflict-affected environments with progressive seniority
• Proven writing, editing, and analytical skills and a keen eye for detail – the position entails substantial report editing and reviewing
• Acceptance and strong understanding of humanitarian principles
• Thorough understanding of humanitarian access issues
• Demonstrable understanding of humanitarian safety practices and their application
• Mature leadership and staff management experience in multi-cultural settings
• Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills

Preferred Characteristics

• Experience working in the region with demonstrable understanding of the context
• Experience in staff capacity development and training
• Experience with NGO project management, including donor reporting and relations
• First-hand experience of crisis management
• Existing information networks and/or local language skills
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate & services

Key Personal Competencies

• Good listener
• Effective communicator
• Excellent analyst
• Team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Terms & Conditions: 12-month contract, €5000 per month salary, 1,250 JOD monthly housing allowance, 4 calendar days annual leave per month and 3 days of R&R every 3 months, global medical coverage (excluding USA), $200,000 AD&D coverage