Title: Team Leader – Damascus
LOCATION: Damascus, with potential travel to Aleppo and other governorates as needed -Unaccompanied position
GRADE: 4
CONTRACT LENGTH: One year
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
The Team Leader will provide strategic oversight and operational leadership to ensure the effective establishment and functioning of the SCI Office in Damascus. The role encompasses overseeing registration/authorization processes, ensuring compliance, and coordinating across multiple functional areas to develop and implement a robust operational response aligned with the evolving context.
This role requires frequent travel to operational areas and flexibility to adapt to the dynamic humanitarian context in Syria. As part of the Senior Management Team, the Team Leader will play a critical role in ensuring a smooth transition during this period.
Dimensions:
Staff directly reporting to this post: 6-8 staff
Supervisor: Deputy Country Director (Direct), Country Director (Dotted)
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
1- Management Oversight:
• Provide management oversight to North-West Syria (NWS) and Government of Syria (GoS) teams under the current operational modality.
• Ensure smooth continuation of ongoing operations while developing a clear and actionable plan to transition into the new operating modality.
2- Registration and Compliance:
• Lead the registration process, engaging with relevant authorities to secure necessary approvals and documentation.
• Coordinate with compliance and legal teams to update registration protocols based on the evolving context.
• Ensure the implementation of a risk escalation process when required.
3- Needs Assessment and Program Development:
• Coordinate with the Program Development team to lead multisectoral needs assessments.
• Identify humanitarian needs and gaps, and propose program interventions in new areas of operation.
• Work closely with the Deputy Country Director/Director of Operations to design a response operating model that considers access, context, and potential expansion opportunities.
4- Operational Rollout:
• Develop a phased approach for the implementation of the operating model in new areas.
• Collaborate with the Partnership Advisor and Global Partnership Business Partner to review and revise the SRO partnership strategy.
• Maintain an updated partner list for operational expansion and alignment with the new operating modality, with attention to conflict sensitivity related to the specific context of Syria.
5- Logistics and Office Setup:
• Coordinate with the Supply Chain team to identify and establish new office locations, rental properties, and guesthouses as needed in Damascus and other operational areas (including Aleppo, Idleb and the costal area).
6- Safety and Security:
• Work with the Safety and Security team to conduct assessments for travel between Damascus, Aleppo, and other governorates.
• Ensure all travel and operational activities adhere to security protocols.
7- Financial Coordination:
• Collaborate with the Finance Director to identify opportunities and mechanisms for financial transactions and transfers that support the new operating modality.
8- Representation and Coordination:
• Represent Save the Children in coordination meetings with humanitarian structures and authorities in Damascus.
• Work under the supervision of the Country Director, and or in coordination with Deputy Country Director to ensure aligned and effective representation.
Deliverables
• Management oversight of NWS and GoS teams ensures uninterrupted operations under the current modality.
• Successful registration and compliance documentation secured for operations in Damascus.
• Comprehensive needs assessment report with identified gaps and proposed interventions.
• Phased rollout plan for the new operating model, aligned with strategic priorities.
• Updated partnership strategy and partner list for expanded operations.
• Fully operational office setup in Damascus with required logistics in place.
• Security and financial mechanisms established to support the response.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.
Collaboration:
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, other members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Advanced degree in International Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ management experience in a corporate or an NGO environment, including significant field operations experience running both emergency and development programs.
• Extensive experience in humanitarian operations, particularly in conflict-affected settings.
• Strong leadership and coordination skills, with a proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience engaging with government authorities and navigating complex regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement operational models in evolving contexts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• English and Arabic languages are essential.