Job ID
50822
Job Title
Deputy Country Director (Programme)
To work for
Oxfam Syria
Country
Syria
City
Damascus
Field of Work
Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy/Planning
Support the Country Director in developing a country wide strategy, with its objectives, Theory of Change and sectoral interventions. Where the strategy is established, ensure the Country Strategy remains relevant within the change in the context, and it is reviewed/updated as needed.
Ensure the quality of the country multi-sectorial integrated programme follows international standards, the Oxfam triple mandate (Humanitarian, Advocacy and Development) and the Oxfam Humanitarian Approach by line managing Technical leads
Specifically for the next 2-3 years, advance Oxfam in Syria’s development programming and the Triple Nexus.
Support the Country Director in advancing Oxfam’s partnership strategy and localization
Implement the country programme strategy, sourcing new opportunities and analysing information and assessing risks.
Identify, where and when needed and relevant, consortia opportunities and follow the establishment of consortia.
Development and Management of Oxfam’s programmes
Ensure that the programme is implemented in a cost effective, consultative, participative and transparent gender sensitive way and ensuring Gender mainstreaming and Do No Harm in all Oxfam programmes.
Conduct regular and frequent programme support visits to all programme locations with the aim of providing programmatic directions and support to Oxfam staff and partners in terms of programme quality, donor compliance and programme implementation, whenever feasible.
Lead the Programme Quality Team to improve programme quality, ensuring that staff are equipped with adequate knowledge, tools and support to deliver on programme quality commitments in Programme Implementation Plans in accordance to Oxfam standards.
Lead on the development and implementation of the country funding strategy and support the CD in donors’ strategic and programmatic engagement.
Monitor programme expenditure to ensure budgets are adhered to.
Work closely with the Advocacy Manager to ensure influencing and advocacy is embedded in the program.
Support the security focal point in ensuring procedures and policies are adhered to by all teams.
Work closely with the CD to develop a strategy to ensure strategic positioning of Oxfam in key humanitarian clusters/ sectors and development fora.
Key representation and programmatic engagement with national stakeholders as well as other collaborative areas of Oxfam interest as agreed with the Country Director.
Programme Funding/ Donor Liaison
Ensure timely narrative and financial reporting of good quality and accuracy for Oxfam, donors and other required reporting.
In coordination with the CD, establish new and maintain existing donor relations.
Lead on the identification, development of opportunities for fundraising as well the development and approval process of concepts notes and proposals to donors. .
Guarantee that the programmes have sufficient and consistent funding and that a high quality of grant requests is maintained.
Ensure compliance with all donor grant management requirements.
Driving learning, accountability and innovation
Ensure strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems, tools and capacity are developed and rolled out in all Hubs
Ensure appropriate accountability mechanisms as feedback and complaint response mechanisms are in place
Monitor and evaluate programmes to maintain and improve their quality
Ensure learning is documented, assimilated and used to improve future programmes
Lead in the development and achievement of a programme of high quality in all aspects of the Programme, consistent with Oxfam and other agreed standards.
Ensure that Oxfam’s programmes are in compliance with donor contractual obligations Ensure programmatic evaluations are conducted to reviewing their impact (changes in the lives of targeted people)
Lead on the development of innovation projects in line with the country strategy and analyse the potential to bring them to scale
Representation
Key representation in humanitarian and development for a in the country, as well as other collaborative areas of Oxfam interest as agreed with Line Manager.
Represent Oxfam in appropriate humanitarian and development fora at a local and international level with government authorities, UN organizations, NGO’s and donor agencies as delegated by the CD.
Building effective programme teams
Recruit and manage staff in line with Oxfam policies, ensuring that they have the necessary induction, training and support as required.
Develop and maintains a healthy environment for the team, coordinating timely discussions on strategic programming issues and guaranteeing that the staff members reflect the institutional character in their relationships with partner organizations and allies.
Ensure excellent people management and development of staff managed, in accordance with Oxfam’s performance management cycle and policies on development of staff, particularly national staff capacity building plans.
Lead the Programme team and in reflection on collaborative ways of working within the team and with other teams, role model these behaviours.
Ensure staffs under own line management comply with Safeguarding policies, Safety and Security Management Plans.
Strategy/Planning
Support the Country Director in developing a country wide strategy, with its objectives, Theory of Change and sectoral interventions. Where the strategy is established, ensure the Country Strategy remains relevant within the change in the context, and it is reviewed/updated as needed.
Ensure the quality of the country multi-sectorial integrated programme follows international standards, the Oxfam triple mandate (Humanitarian, Advocacy and Development) and the Oxfam Humanitarian Approach by line managing Technical leads
Specifically for the next 2-3 years, advance Oxfam in Syria’s development programming and the Triple Nexus.
Support the Country Director in advancing Oxfam’s partnership strategy and localization
Implement the country programme strategy, sourcing new opportunities and analysing information and assessing risks.
Identify, where and when needed and relevant, consortia opportunities and follow the establishment of consortia.
Development and Management of Oxfam’s programmes
Ensure that the programme is implemented in a cost effective, consultative, participative and transparent gender sensitive way and ensuring Gender mainstreaming and Do No Harm in all Oxfam programmes.
Conduct regular and frequent programme support visits to all programme locations with the aim of providing programmatic directions and support to Oxfam staff and partners in terms of programme quality, donor compliance and programme implementation, whenever feasible.
Lead the Programme Quality Team to improve programme quality, ensuring that staff are equipped with adequate knowledge, tools and support to deliver on programme quality commitments in Programme Implementation Plans in accordance to Oxfam standards.
Lead on the development and implementation of the country funding strategy and support the CD in donors’ strategic and programmatic engagement.
Monitor programme expenditure to ensure budgets are adhered to.
Work closely with the Advocacy Manager to ensure influencing and advocacy is embedded in the program.
Support the security focal point in ensuring procedures and policies are adhered to by all teams.
Work closely with the CD to develop a strategy to ensure strategic positioning of Oxfam in key humanitarian clusters/ sectors and development fora.
Key representation and programmatic engagement with national stakeholders as well as other collaborative areas of Oxfam interest as agreed with the Country Director.
Programme Funding/ Donor Liaison
Ensure timely narrative and financial reporting of good quality and accuracy for Oxfam, donors and other required reporting.
In coordination with the CD, establish new and maintain existing donor relations.
Lead on the identification, development of opportunities for fundraising as well the development and approval process of concepts notes and proposals to donors. .
Guarantee that the programmes have sufficient and consistent funding and that a high quality of grant requests is maintained.
Ensure compliance with all donor grant management requirements.
Driving learning, accountability and innovation
Ensure strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems, tools and capacity are developed and rolled out in all Hubs
Ensure appropriate accountability mechanisms as feedback and complaint response mechanisms are in place
Monitor and evaluate programmes to maintain and improve their quality
Ensure learning is documented, assimilated and used to improve future programmes
Lead in the development and achievement of a programme of high quality in all aspects of the Programme, consistent with Oxfam and other agreed standards.
Ensure that Oxfam’s programmes are in compliance with donor contractual obligations Ensure programmatic evaluations are conducted to reviewing their impact (changes in the lives of targeted people)
Lead on the development of innovation projects in line with the country strategy and analyse the potential to bring them to scale
Representation
Key representation in humanitarian and development for a in the country, as well as other collaborative areas of Oxfam interest as agreed with Line Manager.
Represent Oxfam in appropriate humanitarian and development fora at a local and international level with government authorities, UN organizations, NGO’s and donor agencies as delegated by the CD.
Building effective programme teams
Recruit and manage staff in line with Oxfam policies, ensuring that they have the necessary induction, training and support as required.
Develop and maintains a healthy environment for the team, coordinating timely discussions on strategic programming issues and guaranteeing that the staff members reflect the institutional character in their relationships with partner organizations and allies.
Ensure excellent people management and development of staff managed, in accordance with Oxfam’s performance management cycle and policies on development of staff, particularly national staff capacity building plans.
Lead the Programme team and in reflection on collaborative ways of working within the team and with other teams, role model these behaviours.
Ensure staffs under own line management comply with Safeguarding policies, Safety and Security Management Plans.
Qualifications
Advanced University Degree in international relations, international development, public administration or social field, or substantial experience of working with INGO’ . Where Advanced University Degree is not accredited, additional relevant work experience will be considered.
8-10 years’ experience in working in fragile/insecure contexts (at least 3 years in the Middle East) on Emergency and Development as Head of Programs/DCD-P or other relevant senior program management position, and an understanding of relevant complex situations including managing finances, staff and funding of the programme (contract design and management).
Previous experience in planning, programming and management in at least two of the main sectoral priorities of Oxfam in Syria (WASH, FES, Protection and Gender)
Experience of leading large and diverse, multinational teams through change, including the ability to challenge and motivate others, and develop teams
Knowledge and experience of promoting gender equity, and an active commitment to promoting the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of programme work.
Proven experience in working with local actors and partners, including project design, implementation and overall partnership development with local organizations.
Experience in governmental, UN and other external stakeholders’ engagement in the Middle East, including coordination, influencing, representation and negotiations.
The ability to meet agreed deadlines in a stressful and fast paced environment will be critical
Knowledge and work experience of a variety of institutional donors such as ECHO, DGMENA, SDC, GAC, UNOCHA, DANIDA, AICS, etc.
High level of analytical and strategic planning skills.
Self-motivated, target-driven
Excellent written and spoken English is essential.
Experience of working within the Middle East context is essential
Experience in developing creative solutions to problems
Familiar with and abide by the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, SPHERE Minimum Standards, Core Humanitarian Standards, Oxfam International procedures and other regulatory codes/protocols.
8-10 years’ experience in working in fragile/insecure contexts (at least 3 years in the Middle East) on Emergency and Development as Head of Programs/DCD-P or other relevant senior program management position, and an understanding of relevant complex situations including managing finances, staff and funding of the programme (contract design and management).
Previous experience in planning, programming and management in at least two of the main sectoral priorities of Oxfam in Syria (WASH, FES, Protection and Gender)
Experience of leading large and diverse, multinational teams through change, including the ability to challenge and motivate others, and develop teams
Knowledge and experience of promoting gender equity, and an active commitment to promoting the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of programme work.
Proven experience in working with local actors and partners, including project design, implementation and overall partnership development with local organizations.
Experience in governmental, UN and other external stakeholders’ engagement in the Middle East, including coordination, influencing, representation and negotiations.
The ability to meet agreed deadlines in a stressful and fast paced environment will be critical
Knowledge and work experience of a variety of institutional donors such as ECHO, DGMENA, SDC, GAC, UNOCHA, DANIDA, AICS, etc.
High level of analytical and strategic planning skills.
Self-motivated, target-driven
Excellent written and spoken English is essential.
Experience of working within the Middle East context is essential
Experience in developing creative solutions to problems
Familiar with and abide by the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, SPHERE Minimum Standards, Core Humanitarian Standards, Oxfam International procedures and other regulatory codes/protocols.
Specific Vacancy Requirements
A good working knowledge of Arabic would be desirable
Experience in working in Syria would be desirable
Experience in working in Syria would be desirable
Salary and Benefits
As per Oxfam Syria Salary Scale
About us
Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations networked together in more than 90 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty.
In Syria :
While Oxfam has been present in the region since 1970, it began operating in Syria through its Damascus based presence in July 2013. Since then, Oxfam has been responding to both the urgent WASH needs for vulnerable people, and has been working on the rehabilitation of water systems in order to provide durable, more sustainable solutions to the affected populations. Interventions implemented under Oxfam's WASH Programme include: Provision of Acute Emergency Life-Saving WASH Services, Rehabilitation of Water Systems, Hygiene Promotion and Water Conservation, Capacity Building and Training, and Improved Emergency WASH Coordination. To date, Oxfam has been worked in 10 governorates, seeking out to over 2.5 million beneficiaries.
In Syria :
While Oxfam has been present in the region since 1970, it began operating in Syria through its Damascus based presence in July 2013. Since then, Oxfam has been responding to both the urgent WASH needs for vulnerable people, and has been working on the rehabilitation of water systems in order to provide durable, more sustainable solutions to the affected populations. Interventions implemented under Oxfam's WASH Programme include: Provision of Acute Emergency Life-Saving WASH Services, Rehabilitation of Water Systems, Hygiene Promotion and Water Conservation, Capacity Building and Training, and Improved Emergency WASH Coordination. To date, Oxfam has been worked in 10 governorates, seeking out to over 2.5 million beneficiaries.
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Sep 07, 2026
Expiry Date
Sep 22, 2026
CV Language
English
