Head of Delegation – Syria

Position Start Date : November 1st, 2023

Duration : 12 months

Location : Damascus, Syria

Status : non-accompanied

Terre des hommes does not set closing dates for this position; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled

Tdh :

Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh), with headquarters in Lausanne and an office in Zurich, is the leading Swiss organisation for children’s aid. In 2021, we supported two million children and members of their communities around the world. We trained people who in turn supported a further 3.1 million children and members of their communities.

Context :

Syria faces one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world. Since the conflict began in 2012, it has caused the largest influx of refugees and the largest number of internally displaced people. Children and youth have been disproportionately affected, living in severe conditions, and many are exposed to serious violations, including child labour, gender-based violence and dropping out of school.

Therefore, Tdh has decided to establish and operate in Syria directly in government-controlled areas, where populations are returning in large numbers. Tdh opened its mission in Syria in 2021 and began its operations in the WASH and Child Protection sectors through school rehabilitation projects in rural Damascus, ensuring access to education in decent conditions. In addition, the organization is providing an earthquake emergency response for the worst affected families in Aleppo and Latakia, while strengthening community-based services to ensure a long-term effect. Moreover, Tdh addresses particular attention to protect children at risk, in contact or in conflict with the law, before (in the community), during (in juvenile centers) and after (reintegration) detention, in order to improve their well-being.

Currently, Tdh employs around 20 staff and collaborate with some local partners.

Responsibilities :

As representative of the organisation, the Head of Delegation coordinates and manages all activities linked to Terre des hommes in the country: external representation and networking, fundraising, staff management, safety and security, finance, and administration, and over sees operations at country level.

• S/he supports Terre des hommes advocacy at national level and when possible, at the regional level and builds and manages partnerships. S/he manages and develops the organisation’s country and strategy jointly with the Operations Unit in HQ.
• Under the supervision of the Deputy to the Operations Manager, s/he ensures the proper functioning of operations at the national level; as such s/he represents the Foundation in Syria.
• In collaboration with her/his line manager, the Deputy Operations Manager, implement and review the short/medium and longer-term country strategy for Terre des hommes.
• S/he ensures the office of Tdh Syria is fully functioning as per the rules and regulations that apply to International Organizations.
• S/he ensures that all legal obligations towards relevant authorities are completed and updated (registration, taxation, social security, any other obligations towards labor office, etc.).
• He/She directs and supervises all activities connected to the Tdh projects in his/her assignment country in line with the SP (Strategic Plan) and strategic orientations.
• He/She represents Tdh (including legally) and promotes the entirety of its remit in the assignment country.
• S/he is responsible for the security of the Tdh teams under his/her responsibility and is in charge of the security rules and the contingency plans of the country or countries under his/her responsibility.
• S/he manages and assumes ultimate responsibility for the risks and access aspects of the mission.

Profile :

Education : Relevant University degree

Experience, Skills & Competencies :

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar position (managing a delegation).
• Reliable and independent with a strong organizational capacity, decision-making and conflict resolution.
• Experience in developing partnerships, identifying new opportunities, and mobilizing resources.
• An excellent capacity of and ease in speaking in public (conferences, workshops) in English (Arabic skills an asset) and adapt to his/her audiences (governments and local authorities).
• Excellent interpersonal qualities: integrity, a capacity to judge and diplomacy.
• Proactive, rigorous and a results-driven attitude.
• The ability to identify difficulties, foresee risks and inform the management with substantive recommendations.

Languages : Fluency in English, Arabic an asset

IT know-how : Usual MS Office tools

Salary :

Expatriate contract under Swiss regulations between CHF 5’500.- and CHF 6’000.- net /month according to experience x 13 times, Vacancy: 25 days annual leaves local accommodation and transportation, Health insurance, accident and medical repatriation insurance, return flight.

Tdh Global Code of Conduct and Risk Management Policies :

• Fully complies with Tdh’s Global Code of Conduct and systematically reports any breach to the Code through the whistleblowing procedure: raises awareness within the Foundation on abuse and violence and the rights deriving therefrom, respecting the rights and dignity of children, members of the communities and our own Staff
• Commits to respecting Risk Management Policies including: Safeguarding Policies (Child Safeguarding Policy, Policy on the Protection against Sexual Exploitation and the Directive on Staff Misconduct at the Workplace), Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption and Prevention of the Financing of Criminal Activities Policies
• Commits to reducing the risk of abuse and harm by developing a culture of open and informed leadership within the organization and in our work with children and the communities in which we intervene in.

We offer an exciting and varied work, useful and meaningful, in a team that wants to make a difference for vulnerable children.

Are you interested? Do you want to face this challenge?