What we are looking for
NRC Syria is in search of a Head of Operations to join the mission. The role holder will ensure ensure coherent, high-quality, and accountable implementation of NRC’s programmes. The role provides strategic and operational oversight across multiple Area Offices, supporting decentralized decision-making and works closely with the Country Director, Head of Programme, and Head of Support. The position holder takes the responsibility of running Syria Country operation programme, and programme implementation in Area offices assigned from the Country Director.
If you are a seasoned and experienced humanitarian leader with extensive experience particularly in large-scale, complex, or fast-evolving contexts this is the role for you!
What you will do
The role will have the following specific responsibilities:
- Establish/maintain Support/Programme/HAS coordination mechanism and procedures to ensure effective and efficient response.
- Develop guidance for scaling up the operational functions in alignment with the existent and projected scale up of funding.
- Lead, in conjunction with the CMG, on changes to the geographical scope of the country’s programmes, and implement any change management process required, including expansions and reductions of geographical coverage.
- In coordination with the Head of Programme, support Area Offices in strengthening PCM and programme implementation systems, conducting regular Grants Review Meetings at area level, supporting quality, timely implementation and ensuring regular monitoring is conducted at area level, as per monitoring plans.
- Ensure that the operational structures are fit for purpose, optimized and revised regularly to ensure financial viability based on the funding forecast.
- Accountable for oversight of area-level Master Budgets, ensuring alignment with programme priorities and effective budget monitoring and forecasting by relevant Budget Holders.
- Ensure that the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) supporting the implementation of the responses are relevant to the identified needs and review, if necessary, in line with the NRC procedures and global guidelines.
- Be responsible for the implementation of and adherence to NRC generic governing structures and systems in the area offices.
- In coordination with relevant AO and CO counterparts, lead to the continuous update of the Syria Emergency Response plan in line with the context analysis and changes in needs and strategy.
- Ensure that field-level feedback and operational risks are systematically captured, analysed, and escalated to inform national-level decision-making and strategic adjustments.
- In coordination with the HAS department, support AMs in navigating access challenges and operational dilemmas.
- Collaborate with regional and global teams to ensure cross-border initiatives (e.g., refugee response strategies) are aligned with NRC’s operational and strategic positioning in-country.
- Deputize for the Country Director upon delegation and as necessary.
Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.
What you will bring
- Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in humanitarian settings, with demonstrated ability to oversee multi-location operations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage large and complex portfolios and support teams working under pressure.
- Strong knowledge and experience of NRC systems is an advantage.
- Proven experience in negotiating humanitarian access, managing emergency responses, and leading operations in security-sensitive or hard-to-reach areas.
- Experience engaging and negotiating with government actors, donors, coordination platforms, and implementing partners.
- Previous experience in managing financial systems, budget planning and monitoring, donor compliance, and financial reporting.
- Solid understanding of the project cycle particularly needs assessment, design, planning, implementation, and monitoring, with a focus on adaptive and evidence-based approaches.
- Skilled in establishing and managing coordination mechanisms and balance programme and support functions.
- Knowledge of the context in Syria and the Middle East.
- Experience working in recovery settings.
- Experience with organizational development, governance and control mechanisms.
- Fluent in English, both verbal and written.
- Arabic is also an advantage in this role.
What we offer:
- Duty station: Damascus.
- Contract: Fixed Term -renewable based on performance and funding.
- Travel: 50% within NRC Syria.
- Salary/benefits: Grade 11 on NRC’s salary scale.
- NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
- We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.
Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC
Important information about the application process
- Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.
- For internal candidates, please use your official email address when applying.
- Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
- We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
- If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.
Why NRC?
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.
NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.
Watch this short video to see NRC in action.
We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:
- do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
- join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
- be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.
Learn more about NRC's operations in Syria here.
Organization context
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.
Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.
At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Together, we save lives and rebuild futures.
Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:
• treat everyone with respect and dignity
• contribute to building a safe environment for all
• never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)
• always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH
