Job ID
49055
Job Title
Program Manager
To work for
La Chaine de L'espoir
Country
Syria
City
Damascus
Field of Work
Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Master
Responsibilities
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the line management of the Head of Mission, and with programmatic guidance from the Program Coordinator at HQ, the Program Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overall coordination of La Chaîne de l'Espoir projects, ensuring timely, high-quality implementation in line with organizational standards and HQ technical guidance. The role also includes direct management and oversight of team members based in Damascus, with regular deployment to project sites in the Damascus and Rural Damascus governorates.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Project cycle management
Performs regular field visits to ensure the quality of implementation.
Leads the timely and quality implementation of the project in line with the donors’ requirements.
Prepares timely and cost-effective operational plans.
Ensures effective follow-up of activities, in line with the project’s objectives.
Coordinates the revision and creation of the necessary tools to ensure quality project implementation, in close collaboration with the Medical Coordinator.
Proactively proposes to the Head of Mission re-adjustments of the project based on documented challenges, gaps, weaknesses, lessons learned, and best practices.
Keeps CDE’s team informed of any issues related to the project implementation or other challenges encountered.
Mainstreams protection, gender, and environmental aspects throughout the project cycle.
Ensures full compliance with donor contractual requirements, project description, log frame, modification procedures, submissions and reporting deadlines.
Coordinates with consortium partners and relevant stakeholders, aligning workplans, indicators and reporting timelines.
Financial, Logistics, and HR management
Collaborate with the Financial Department to identify needs and ensure effective and timely program management (budget follow-up spending and forecasting as budget holder of program lines, etc.).
Collaborates with the Logistics department to identify needs and ensure effective and timely program management (project procurement plan, raise procurement requests, etc.)
Collaborates with the HR departments to identify needs and ensure effective and timely program management (job description, interviews, recruitment plan, staff training plans, etc.)
Acts as budget holder for assigned activity lines, ensure the procurement plan reflects programmatic needs, and is delivered in compliance with donor and CDE procurement rules.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
Develops an M&E plan for each project
Oversees the monitoring aspect of the projects (regular update of the detailed implementation plan, beneficiaries counting, etc.)
Contributes to the evaluation aspect of the projects (participates in the terms of references, etc.)
Oversees the learning aspect of the projects (leads lessons learned exercises, etc.)
Drafts the necessary reports linked to the MEAL aspects (provides statistics, highlight main trends, suggest recommendations, etc.)
Ensures disaggregated beneficiary data collection (sex, age, disability) in line with donor indicators and CDE indicator framework.
Implements a context-appropriate Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) accessible to women, men, girls and boys with diverse needs, in line with CDE's Accountability to Affected Populations commitments across the program.
Reporting
Submits monthly internal reports on program achievements to the Head of Mission and technical referent.
Leads on the preparation and writing of donor reports (including beneficiaries, counting, annexes, etc.)
Supports external reporting related to the project when required.
Leads the writing of success stories.
Partnership and networking
Manages existing partnerships, including health authorities and other operational partners, identifies and develops new partnerships in line with CDE’s country strategy and partnership framework.
Reviews partners’ deliverables, in close collaboration with the other departments (financial reports, requests for payments, etc.).
Develops and maintains good relationships with other relevant field stakeholders.
Participates actively in coordination meetings and thematic working groups where relevant, and in collaboration with the Medical Manager.
Represents CDE in relevant Clusters (Health and Nutrition) and Technical Working Groups (e.g., Reproductive Health, MHPSS), in close coordination with the Head of Mission and the Medical Coordinator.
Management
Daily management of project team under his/her supervision.
Performs HR management activities, including organizing priorities, building capacities, and assessing performance.
Actively contributes to the recruitment of team members (drafting job descriptions, leading interviews, etc.) if/when required
Perform regular spot-checks (databases, etc.)
Ensures strict respect by his/her team for CDE’s procedures (security procedure, leave requests, etc.)
Manages staff across the Damascus base and field activities in Rural Damascus, applying remote and field-based management practices as required.
Conducts annual performance appraisals, sets individual objectives, monitors skills and contributes to the capacity development of staff.
Embodies CDE's values and ensures full team adherence to the Code of Conduct and the Safeguarding, PSEA and Child Protection policies.
CDE’s country strategy and proposals writing
Contributes to the design and development of the country's strategy, in close collaboration with the Head of Mission.
Leads need assessments, in close collaboration with the other departments.
Contributes to new proposals.
Contributes to donor mapping and pipeline development for the Syria mission, including identification of complementary funding opportunities from institutional donors.
Safeguarding, protection mainstreaming and compliance
Ensures consistent application of CDE's Safeguarding, PSEAH, Child Protection and Code of Conduct policies across all project activities, partners and contractors.
Mainstreams protection, gender, disability and conflict-sensitivity (Do No Harm) throughout project design, implementation and monitoring.
Receives and refers to safeguarding and PSEAH concerns through CDE's reporting channels without delay; reinforces team awareness of reporting mechanisms.
Ensures all beneficiary data is handled in line with CDE's Data Protection Policy and donor data protection requirements.
Emergency preparedness and response
In coordination with the Head of Mission, contributes to mission-level contingency planning and leads project-level emergency preparedness for the CDE intervention area.
In the event of a sudden-onset emergency or significant deterioration of the context, supports activation of the Crisis Modifier and reorganizes project priorities in line with humanitarian principles.
Maintains situational awareness of the operational context and feeds context updates into security and access decision-making.
Others
Develops a communication and visibility plan (flyers, brochures, success stories, etc.)
Supports in the preparation and conduction of audits as regards the programmatic aspects
Is responsible to ensure timely and adequate archiving of the programmatic documents (soft and hard)
Any other tasks as requested by the Head of Mission.
TEAM RELATIONSHIP
Line and technical manager: Head of Mission.
Line and technical management: (3) officers (Liaison, Data Analyst, PSS).
Close collaboration with: Medical Team and Support Coordinators (FIN, HR, Admin, LOG & SEC)
Under the line management of the Head of Mission, and with programmatic guidance from the Program Coordinator at HQ, the Program Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overall coordination of La Chaîne de l'Espoir projects, ensuring timely, high-quality implementation in line with organizational standards and HQ technical guidance. The role also includes direct management and oversight of team members based in Damascus, with regular deployment to project sites in the Damascus and Rural Damascus governorates.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Project cycle management
Performs regular field visits to ensure the quality of implementation.
Leads the timely and quality implementation of the project in line with the donors’ requirements.
Prepares timely and cost-effective operational plans.
Ensures effective follow-up of activities, in line with the project’s objectives.
Coordinates the revision and creation of the necessary tools to ensure quality project implementation, in close collaboration with the Medical Coordinator.
Proactively proposes to the Head of Mission re-adjustments of the project based on documented challenges, gaps, weaknesses, lessons learned, and best practices.
Keeps CDE’s team informed of any issues related to the project implementation or other challenges encountered.
Mainstreams protection, gender, and environmental aspects throughout the project cycle.
Ensures full compliance with donor contractual requirements, project description, log frame, modification procedures, submissions and reporting deadlines.
Coordinates with consortium partners and relevant stakeholders, aligning workplans, indicators and reporting timelines.
Financial, Logistics, and HR management
Collaborate with the Financial Department to identify needs and ensure effective and timely program management (budget follow-up spending and forecasting as budget holder of program lines, etc.).
Collaborates with the Logistics department to identify needs and ensure effective and timely program management (project procurement plan, raise procurement requests, etc.)
Collaborates with the HR departments to identify needs and ensure effective and timely program management (job description, interviews, recruitment plan, staff training plans, etc.)
Acts as budget holder for assigned activity lines, ensure the procurement plan reflects programmatic needs, and is delivered in compliance with donor and CDE procurement rules.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
Develops an M&E plan for each project
Oversees the monitoring aspect of the projects (regular update of the detailed implementation plan, beneficiaries counting, etc.)
Contributes to the evaluation aspect of the projects (participates in the terms of references, etc.)
Oversees the learning aspect of the projects (leads lessons learned exercises, etc.)
Drafts the necessary reports linked to the MEAL aspects (provides statistics, highlight main trends, suggest recommendations, etc.)
Ensures disaggregated beneficiary data collection (sex, age, disability) in line with donor indicators and CDE indicator framework.
Implements a context-appropriate Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) accessible to women, men, girls and boys with diverse needs, in line with CDE's Accountability to Affected Populations commitments across the program.
Reporting
Submits monthly internal reports on program achievements to the Head of Mission and technical referent.
Leads on the preparation and writing of donor reports (including beneficiaries, counting, annexes, etc.)
Supports external reporting related to the project when required.
Leads the writing of success stories.
Partnership and networking
Manages existing partnerships, including health authorities and other operational partners, identifies and develops new partnerships in line with CDE’s country strategy and partnership framework.
Reviews partners’ deliverables, in close collaboration with the other departments (financial reports, requests for payments, etc.).
Develops and maintains good relationships with other relevant field stakeholders.
Participates actively in coordination meetings and thematic working groups where relevant, and in collaboration with the Medical Manager.
Represents CDE in relevant Clusters (Health and Nutrition) and Technical Working Groups (e.g., Reproductive Health, MHPSS), in close coordination with the Head of Mission and the Medical Coordinator.
Management
Daily management of project team under his/her supervision.
Performs HR management activities, including organizing priorities, building capacities, and assessing performance.
Actively contributes to the recruitment of team members (drafting job descriptions, leading interviews, etc.) if/when required
Perform regular spot-checks (databases, etc.)
Ensures strict respect by his/her team for CDE’s procedures (security procedure, leave requests, etc.)
Manages staff across the Damascus base and field activities in Rural Damascus, applying remote and field-based management practices as required.
Conducts annual performance appraisals, sets individual objectives, monitors skills and contributes to the capacity development of staff.
Embodies CDE's values and ensures full team adherence to the Code of Conduct and the Safeguarding, PSEA and Child Protection policies.
CDE’s country strategy and proposals writing
Contributes to the design and development of the country's strategy, in close collaboration with the Head of Mission.
Leads need assessments, in close collaboration with the other departments.
Contributes to new proposals.
Contributes to donor mapping and pipeline development for the Syria mission, including identification of complementary funding opportunities from institutional donors.
Safeguarding, protection mainstreaming and compliance
Ensures consistent application of CDE's Safeguarding, PSEAH, Child Protection and Code of Conduct policies across all project activities, partners and contractors.
Mainstreams protection, gender, disability and conflict-sensitivity (Do No Harm) throughout project design, implementation and monitoring.
Receives and refers to safeguarding and PSEAH concerns through CDE's reporting channels without delay; reinforces team awareness of reporting mechanisms.
Ensures all beneficiary data is handled in line with CDE's Data Protection Policy and donor data protection requirements.
Emergency preparedness and response
In coordination with the Head of Mission, contributes to mission-level contingency planning and leads project-level emergency preparedness for the CDE intervention area.
In the event of a sudden-onset emergency or significant deterioration of the context, supports activation of the Crisis Modifier and reorganizes project priorities in line with humanitarian principles.
Maintains situational awareness of the operational context and feeds context updates into security and access decision-making.
Others
Develops a communication and visibility plan (flyers, brochures, success stories, etc.)
Supports in the preparation and conduction of audits as regards the programmatic aspects
Is responsible to ensure timely and adequate archiving of the programmatic documents (soft and hard)
Any other tasks as requested by the Head of Mission.
TEAM RELATIONSHIP
Line and technical manager: Head of Mission.
Line and technical management: (3) officers (Liaison, Data Analyst, PSS).
Close collaboration with: Medical Team and Support Coordinators (FIN, HR, Admin, LOG & SEC)
Qualifications
PROFILE
Academic background
Graduate master’s degree in project management, development studies, international cooperation/relations, public health, health care management, or related education [required]
Working experience
At least five years of experience in humanitarian/ developmental project implementation, including context analysis and project cycle management: designing, implementing, reporting, monitoring, evaluating, and budgeting [required]
Experience in human resources, financial, and logistics management [required]
Demonstrated experience managing different institutional donor's projects [required]
Experience in public health or health care management is a plus.
Experience in advocating with national, local, and international stakeholders is a plus.
Experience in gender and/or protection-related topics is a plus.
Experience in partnership management with national health authorities and national/ local non-governmental organizations.
Specific skills
Strong commands of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) [required]
Previous experience in analyzing data [required]
Strategic thinking, capacity to analyze and propose solutions [required]
Patient, flexible, and with a sense of diplomacy in the operational environment [required]
Strong organizational skills and capacity to prioritize and manage multiple tasks at the time [required]
Strong management skills [required]
Excellent verbal and writing skills [required]
Capacity to travel in CDE’s projects’ implementation areas [required]
Knowledge of software such as KoBo or ODK is a plus.
Conflict-sensitive programming and Do No Harm in volatile contexts [required]
Working knowledge of safeguarding standards (PSEAH, child safeguarding) and protection mainstreaming [required].
Ability to operate under pressure, manage competing priorities and adapt to evolving security conditions [required].
Languages
Fluent in Arabic and English (speaking, writing, reading).
Academic background
Graduate master’s degree in project management, development studies, international cooperation/relations, public health, health care management, or related education [required]
Working experience
At least five years of experience in humanitarian/ developmental project implementation, including context analysis and project cycle management: designing, implementing, reporting, monitoring, evaluating, and budgeting [required]
Experience in human resources, financial, and logistics management [required]
Demonstrated experience managing different institutional donor's projects [required]
Experience in public health or health care management is a plus.
Experience in advocating with national, local, and international stakeholders is a plus.
Experience in gender and/or protection-related topics is a plus.
Experience in partnership management with national health authorities and national/ local non-governmental organizations.
Specific skills
Strong commands of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) [required]
Previous experience in analyzing data [required]
Strategic thinking, capacity to analyze and propose solutions [required]
Patient, flexible, and with a sense of diplomacy in the operational environment [required]
Strong organizational skills and capacity to prioritize and manage multiple tasks at the time [required]
Strong management skills [required]
Excellent verbal and writing skills [required]
Capacity to travel in CDE’s projects’ implementation areas [required]
Knowledge of software such as KoBo or ODK is a plus.
Conflict-sensitive programming and Do No Harm in volatile contexts [required]
Working knowledge of safeguarding standards (PSEAH, child safeguarding) and protection mainstreaming [required].
Ability to operate under pressure, manage competing priorities and adapt to evolving security conditions [required].
Languages
Fluent in Arabic and English (speaking, writing, reading).
Salary and Benefits
as per CDE Syria Mission Salary Grid
About us
La Chaîne de l'Espoir has been present in the region since 2012, through operations in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Following the February 2023 earthquake, CDE extended its support directly inside Syria through assistance to a hospital in Aleppo. In January 2025, CDE conducted two technical assessments in Syria, which informed the design of its current intervention in the country.
In 2026, CDE will start implementing its first in-country intervention, in the Damascus and Rural Damascus governorates. The project combines primary and secondary healthcare, specialized pediatric surgical care, integrated nutrition activities, and emergency preparedness.
In 2026, CDE will start implementing its first in-country intervention, in the Damascus and Rural Damascus governorates. The project combines primary and secondary healthcare, specialized pediatric surgical care, integrated nutrition activities, and emergency preparedness.
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Jun 17, 2026
Expiry Date
Jul 17, 2026
CV Language
English
