Syria: Deputy Director for Program and Operations

Mar 31, 2026 | Near East Foundation
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NEF’s Syria programme is an integrated, enterprise centred, partnership-first model that combines finance, skills, markets, and systems to help communities recover and move towards dignified self reliance and growth. Anchored in NEF’s Siraj model – with its inclusive approach to economic recovery and growth, accessible and tailored enterprise finance and market strengthening, climate-smart agriculture and value chains, and locally rooted institutional capacity strengthening – it has delivered measurable economic and social returns while offering clear, realistic pathways to grow, deepen, and institutionalise impact across Syria. The Siraj model is NEF’s flagship approach for this work – an integrated, community-anchored system that brings together revolving and innovative finance, enterprise and employment support, and market recovery and strengthening mechanisms.

1. Role Overview

The Deputy Director for Program and Operations (DDPO) is a senior leadership role within NEF Syria, responsible for leading the day-to-day management, coordination and support of programs and operations across the Syria portfolio. The DDPO ensures that all projects and operational functions are adequately resourced, planned, executed and monitored in an effective, compliant, safe, timely and integrated manner.

Under the overall supervision of the Country Director (CD), the DDPO:

  • Provides hands-on leadership for program implementation, MEAL, and operations;
  • Ensures strong internal coordination between technical, operational, and support teams;
  • Serves as a key counterpart for HQ functions: Programs, Operations (including HR, Safety & Security), Finance,); and
  • Acts as Acting Country Director, when delegated, for internal management and external representation within the agreed governance framework.

The DDPO is expected to operate with a high degree of professional judgment and autonomy within NEF policies, approved strategies, and delegated authority and to proactively elevate strategic and risk issues to the CD and HQ as needed.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Program Management & Quality Assurance

  • Provide overall day-to-day leadership and oversight to the Syria program portfolio, ensuring that all projects are implemented in line with approved proposals, budgets, work plans and donor requirements.
  • Lead the annual and quarterly planning processes for programs, translating the multi-year country strategy and project commitments into operational work plans with clear deliverables, timelines and responsibilities.
  • Support Project/Program Managers, Technical Leads, and MEAL staff to ensure that:
    • program activities are sequenced logically and well-coordinated across different functions;
    • dependencies between activities and projects are managed;
    • cross-project synergies are identified and leveraged;
    • corrective measures are taken early when implementation deviates from plan.
  • Ensure consistent adherence to NEF’s program standards and policies, including:
    • safeguarding and “do-no-harm” principles;
    • accountability to affected populations;
    • gender and inclusion commitments;
    • data protection and ethical MEAL practices.
  • Support the design and rollout – including through trainings and refresher sessions - of tools, SOPs and guidance to improve program quality (e.g., standard operating procedures, implementation checklists, partner tools).
  • Lead or co-lead (with CD or HQ Program Director)regular Program Review Meetings with project teams, MEAL, Finance and Operations to review progress against targets, budget utilization, risks, and mitigation actions.
  • Support the CD and HQ in identifying learning and adaptation needs; ensure that lessons learned are documented and integrated into implementation and future designs.

2.2 Operations Management & Compliance

  • Oversee the daily functioning and coordination of operational support functions that are critical to program delivery, including:
    • logistics and procurement;
    • administration and facilities management (office(s), Guest House(s), sub-operational base(s);
    • fleet management and travel coordination;
    • IT and asset management (in close coordination with HQ Business Systems).
  • Ensure that all operational processes are fully compliant with NEF’s global policies and donor regulations (procurement, asset management, travel, record retention, etc.).
  • Work closely with the Syria Finance Manager and HQ Finance to ensure:
    • operations budgets are realistic and aligned with program needs;
    • shared costs and cost-recovery models are applied correctly;
    • procurement plans and cash-flow forecasts are aligned with implementation plans.
  • Coordinate with HQ Compliance and Operations to ensure that internal controls are respected, segregation of duties is maintained and that operations-related audit recommendations are addressed in a timely manner.
  • Lead or support periodic internal spot checks and operational reviews to identify process gaps and opportunities for improvement and oversee follow-up on corrective actions.

2.3 Strategy, Planning & Coordination with the Country Director

  • Support the CD in translating the multi-year Syria country strategy into operational and programmatic priorities, annual plans and staffing structures.
  • Provide regular, structured updates to the CD on:
    • implementation status and key bottlenecks;
    • cross-cutting risks (operational, compliance, reputational, security);
    • proposed mitigation and course corrections.
  • Contribute proactively to strategic discussions on:
    • geographic focus;
    • programmatic approaches including but not limited to sector and value chain prioritization and partnership models;
    • future funding opportunities and resource allocation.
  • When delegated by the CD, represent NEF Syria in internal and external meetings related to program implementation, operational coordination and systems strengthening.
  • Work closely with and act as primary internal counterpart to HQ Programs, Operations, MEAL, HR, Compliance, and Safety & Security on all Syria day-to-day program and operations matters.

2.4 People Leadership, Team Management & Culture

  • Provide direct line management and leadership to key Syria Program, MEAL and Operations managers).
  • Ensure clear team structures, roles, and reporting lines, including up-to-date organograms and TORs for all supervised positions.
  • In coordination with HR, lead or support:
    • recruitment processes for program and operations roles;
    • onboarding and induction for new team members;
    • performance appraisals, coaching and professional development planning;
    • disciplinary processes, when needed, in line with NEF’s HR policies and the Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy.

2.5 Partnerships, Localization & Sub-Award Management

  • Working closely with the CD and HQ, lead the operational side of NEF’s localization agenda in Syria:
    • identification and due diligence of local partners;
    • development of sub-award agreements and partner management plans;
    • design and delivery of capacity-strengthening support.
  • Ensure that partner roles in program delivery are clearly defined, understood and aligned with NEF’s partnership principles and compliance requirements.
  • Oversee partner compliance with financial and programmatic obligations, including:
    • timely reporting;
    • adherence to safeguarding standards;
    • use of (NEF) systems (e.g., LMS, Siraj Digital, MEAL tools).

2.6 Safety, Security & Duty of Care (Operational Implementation)

  • In close coordination with NEF’s Global Safety & Security Lead and the CD, ensure that safety and security protocols are operationalized in all field locations and offices.
  • Support the CD in conducting and updating context and risk analyses, and ensure follow-up on recommended mitigation measures (e.g., travel SOPs, incident reporting).
  • Ensure that duty-of-care measures related to operations and program implementation (transport, field movement planning etc.) are fully integrated into day-to-day practice. Organise trainings and refresher sessions on relevant procedures, as appropriate.

2.7 Business Development & Proposal Operationalization

  • Support the CD and HQ Business Development teams in the design of new concept notes and proposals, with specific focus on:
    • feasibility of implementation;
    • operational set-up and HR needs;
    • realistic timelines and phasing;
    • risk analysis and mitigations.

2.8 Cross-Cutting Coordination and Representation

  • Represent NEF Syria in technical and operational coordination forums (clusters, working groups, NGO platforms) when delegated by the CD.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with key operational counterparts (e.g., implementing partners, logistics and security networks, shared services providers).

3. Core Demonstrated ability to work semi-autonomously within a delegated framework, exercising sound judgment and knowing when to escalate.

  • Excellent coordination and communication skills, able to connect senior strategic discussions with practical field-level realities.
  • Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams, build trust and hold colleagues accountable in a respectful, culturally sensitive way.
  • High degree of integrity and commitment to NEF’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Non-Discrimination policies.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, politically sensitive, and high-risk environment, managing competing priorities.

4. Qualifications and Experience

  • Advanced degree in international development, economics, business administration, public administration, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.
  • Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in INGO, development finance, livelihoods, or related fields, including at least five years in Senior management rold and experience in in complex/humanitarian settings (Middle East preferred).
    • at least 5 years in a senior management role overseeing both programs and operations;
    • experience in complex/humanitarian settings (Middle East preferred).
  • Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-donor portfolios, including budget oversight, compliance, and reporting.
  • Proven track record in operations management (logistics, procurement, admin, HR interfaces).
  • Experience working with or alongside financial inclusion / revolving credit / MSME support programs is a strong advantage.
  • Experience in partnership management and localization (sub-awards, partner capacity development).
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to translate strategic goals into realistic operational plans.
  • Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic.

5. Other Requirements

  • Willingness to travel regularly within Syria and regionally as security conditions permit.
  • Commitment to NEF’s mission, values, and approach to working in partnership with local communities and organizations.

How to Apply:

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on February 19th, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents to https://neareast.bamboohr.com/careers/512?source=aWQ9OA%3D%3D

  1. Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.
  2. Curriculum Vitae.
  3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.