Area Manager – North West Syria (NWS)

Temporary, Full-time · Syria

Your mission

Purpose of the Role:

The Area Manager is responsible for the overall management of War Child’s operations in NWS, while also providing strategic, operational, and technical support to the team in Damascus as needed. The role ensures effective delivery of programmes, operational functionality, and adherence to organizational standards. The Area Manager provides guidance and technical support to War Child staff and partners throughout the implementation of interventions, ensuring fair, accountable, and transparent management of the NWS/Aleppo office and partner-led projects. Additionally, the role ensures compliance with standard operating procedures related to safety, security, and general operations, and plays a key role in representing War Child with local authorities and stakeholders including relevant donors and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, impactful programming for children and their communities. The role contributes to resource moblisation including establishing donor relationships and the design of new projects.

Position in the Organization:

The Area Manager is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), reports to the Country Director and works closely with other functional leads across Syria. The Area Manager manages the NWS/Aleppo office team and contributes to the coordination of activities in Damascus in close collaboration with the Damascus-based staff.

What you will do:

1. Programme Management

Oversee the implementation of War Child’s programmes in North West Syria ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with War Child policies and donor requirements.
Ensure that all of War Child's partner-led programming in NWS is implemented in a timely and high-quality manner, on budget and per applicable policies, rules, and regulations.
Ensure that programming meets high design, monitoring, and evaluation standards by applying all M&E systems and procedures at War child in collaboration with the Programme Quality department.
Ensure adherence to project management cycle, including project launch, review and close-out
Provide support for emergency response programming for War Child, as and when requested, and take a leading role when necessary.
Identify gaps, challenges, or opportunities in implementation and propose corrective actions or improvements.
Contribute to continuous learning based on programmatic and operational insights and expereince gathered from the field.
Lead/contribute to the design of new projects, including the development of partner/area office related budgets, concept notes and proposals as relevant.
Ensures the project/program staff based in the Area Office have the necessary technical and management skills necessary for high quality program implementation.

2. Operations and Support Services

Ensure operational functions (HR, logistics, finance, admin) in NWS are effective and compliant with War Child standards.
Provide technical and operational guidance to staff in NWS/Aleppo and Damascus in coordination with functional leads.
Support efficient use of resources and budget management across the NWS/Aleppo office.
Manage Human Resources responsibly and make relevant support and services available to local staff.
Ensure proper documentation, procurement, and logistics procedures at the area level.

3. Compliance and Integrity

Ensure full compliance with War Child policies, donor requirements, and national legal frameworks in NWS/Aleppo, including adherence to humanitarian principles, sanctions, and anti-terrorism regulations.
Establish and monitor internal control systems to detect and prevent fraud, corruption, and other integrity risks under both internal and external regulatory standards.
Monitor internal controls, oversee documentation, and support investigations in case of (suspected) misconduct.
Ensure War Child and its partners act fully in accordance with humanitarian principles.
Actively promote full adherence with War Child’s Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation & Abuse policies.

4. Security and Safety Management

Help ensure the safety and security of all NWS staff members; ensure adherence to the NWS level safety and & security management plan.
Implement and adapt, as necessary, the local safety and security plan and ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
Proactively mitigate risks to staff, programs, partners, and organizational assets.
Report safety and security incidents to the country management team in a timely manner and provide leadership and/or support in incident management as necessary.
As required, join the crisis management team in case of critical incidents.

5. External Representation and Partnerships

Represent War Child effectively to external stakeholders in NWS/Aleppo and Damascus by establishing and maintaining an open and productive dialogue with authorities, INGOs, local NGOs, donors and others.
Attend and actively participate in inter-agency discussions, workshops, working groups, and other forums relevant to War Child's operations in NWS/Aleppo.
Serve as the primary high-level focal point for Syrian partner organizations in the region.
Lead and support partner capacity building efforts, including technical training, organizational development, and ensuring partners integrate crosscutting issues (gender, inclusion, disability) into programming.
Maintain positive relations with existing Syrian partner organisations, including through regular visits.
Identify potential new partners and support capacity assessments and due diligence processes.
Assist Project Coordinators in identifying capacity gaps and creating a capacity building plan for partners.

Your profile

Education: University degree in social sciences, development studies, or a related field.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in humanitarian or development settings, with at least 2 years in a management or coordination role.
Challenging Contexts: Previous management experience in low-resource, conflict-affected environments is essential.
Leadership & Operations: Strong experience in operations, project management, and team leadership.
Local Knowledge: Experience working in Syria and understanding of the local context in NWS.
Donor-Funded Projects: Management experience with projects funded by institutional donors, including EU, SDC, FCDO, BHA, and UN agencies.
Stakeholder Engagement: Experience liaising with governmental/local authorities, INGOs, and LNGOs.
Team Management: Proven ability to successfully manage staff from diverse backgrounds and skill levels.

Skills and Competencies:

Languages: Fluency in English required; Arabic is an asset.
Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication, negotiation, multi-tasking, and organizational abilities.
Financial Oversight: Knowledge and experience in budget monitoring and management.
Donor Compliance: Proven ability to ensure adherence to donor rules and regulations.
Problem-Solving: Practical understanding of field realities with a hands-on approach to resolving programme issues.
Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
Cultural Awareness: Sensitivity to diverse cultures and contexts.
Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy in all work.
Adaptability: Flexible in dynamic and changing environments.
Initiative: Proactive approach to work and decision-making.
Organizational Commitment: Dedicated to War Child Alliance’s vision and goals, with full adherence to the Child Safety Policy.

What we offer

Contract Type: Expat Contract. One year contract
Location :The position will be based in Aleppo. This position is an unaccompanied position (non-family posting). The location where the role is based offers limited access to services and recreation.
Travelling to country offices of War Child Syria Response, its affiliates and elsewhere is required to fulfil the obligations of this role.
Professional Development: Opportunities for capacity building and growth, both within the role and through War Child’s broader network.
Meaningful Impact: The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families affected by conflict, contributing to long-term, sustainable change.
Equal Opportunities: War Child is an inclusive employer committed to diversity and inclusion, respecting all individuals regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.
Workplace Culture: War Child is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace that prioritizes safety and fairness for all individuals. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying within our organization

Why You Should Apply

Make a Real Impact: Your work will directly contribute to providing quality education to children who need it most, creating lasting change in their lives.
Career Growth: Join a dynamic organization that values your professional development and offers opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation.
Global Reach: Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme that operates in multiple conflict-affected regions around the world.
Collaborative and Mission-Driven: Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners united in a mission to protect children and help them thrive despite adversity.

How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by August 28, 2025. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended.
________________________________________________________________________________
By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.
War Child is an international organisation, and we are committed to be a diverse and inclusive employer, placing human and child rights at the centre of our existence and work. We hire our new colleagues based on their talents, competences and shared values; we do not distinguish them based on their age, gender and gender identity, race, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, disability etc.
The safety of children and youth is a paramount and essential to War Child’s work. War Child has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of abuse. To prevent placing children and youth at any risk this subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures. Moreover, the accepted candidates will be required to state their commitment/ intent to be aware, consider and adhere to the minimum standards applicable in development and humanitarian settings, such as humanitarian values and principles, Sphere Humanitarian Charter, Standards in the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, Core Humanitarian Standard, International Humanitarian Law, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Disclaimer

Only applications received via our website are processed.
If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.

Apply for this job

About us

The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/

Safeguarding and Integrity
Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm. All (prospective) employees will be expected to be compliant with and sign up to our Child Safeguarding policy, our Code of Conduct and PSEA: Adults at Risk Policy. You can find the Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policy here: Integrity & Safeguarding - Home

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB)
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring that all our people and job applicants are treated fairly, irrespective of where, what or whom they were born, or of other characteristics. We want to offer a safe and inclusive workplace where all our people, especially those who are currently marginalised or underrepresented, can be themselves at work. You can read our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) policy on our website, and if you have any questions about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) do get in touch: DEIB.team@warchild.net

Apply for this job

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your interest in War Child. Please fill out the following short form to complete your application.