Country Director – Syria

EMERGENCY is currently engaged in the rehabilitation and reactivation of Al-Rastan Public Hospital in the Homs Governorate, Syria, in collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Health. The intervention aims to restore access to essential healthcare, emergency, and surgical services for a population severely affected by years of conflict, while contributing to the strengthening of the local healthcare system and referral network across the central region of the country.

In line with the Organization’s vision, the Country Director (CD) represents EMERGENCY before national authorities, donors, media, and other stakeholders, and is responsible for the overall security management of EMERGENCY’s operations in Syria. This role requires maintaining constant engagement with relevant security authorities, government ministries, and institutional counterparts.

The Country Director is responsible for coordinating and overseeing EMERGENCY’s project activities in the country, as well as identifying potential programmatic developments and funding opportunities, in coordination with the Field Operations Department (FOD) Direction and the Medical Coordination Unit (MCU).

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Country Programme Coordination

• Coordinate the implementation of EMERGENCY’s projects in the country, ensuring effective collaboration between clinical and non-clinical functions, in line with the guidance of FOD Management, the Medical Coordination Unit (MCU), and relevant FOD desks;
• Oversee the implementation of processes aimed at achieving the objectives set out in the Action Plan, monitoring progress in coordination with FOD Direction;
• Directly manage the project team, ensuring alignment with project objectives, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and availability of the resources required to perform assigned duties;
• Contribute to the preparation of forecast budgets and the development and updating of project proposals in the country;
• Supervise and monitor project expenditures and costs in close coordination with the Administration Department;
• Support workforce planning activities and contribute to staff performance evaluation processes in coordination with the FOD HR Department.

Representation

• Represent EMERGENCY, on behalf of and in close coordination with FOD Direction, in relations with local authorities, institutional donors, diplomatic missions, the international community, civil society organizations, media outlets, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Manage and maintain relationships with national health authorities and relevant academic/training institutions, in collaboration with the Medical Coordinator, to support the medical and healthcare activities of the project.

Security – External

• Ensure the proper implementation of security procedures and maintain a network of institutional and informal contacts across all active projects in the country;
• Promptly inform FOD Direction of any security-related issues affecting the project or country operations;
• Continuously monitor and assess the country’s geopolitical and security context.

Security – Internal

• Oversee the implementation of safety standards defined by EMERGENCY’s Health and Safety Officer (RSPP) for all individuals present in EMERGENCY facilities, including staff, contractors, hospital personnel, and patients;
• Define any restrictions on international staff movements within the country or specific areas, and ensure compliance with EMERGENCY’s protocols, policies, and Code of Conduct by all staff members.

New Projects and Funding Opportunities

• Identify and share with FOD Direction opportunities for the expansion of existing projects and/or propose new interventions in the country;
• Identify potential institutional and private donors operating in the country or interested in supporting EMERGENCY’s activities, with the support of the Grant Management & Foundation Offices;
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, project proposals, and all official documentation required for institutional fundraising and donor engagement activities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Economics, Law, International Relations, Diplomatic Studies, Political Science, or a related field;
• Previous experience in the coordination, management, and implementation of programmes in complex international environments, or in comparable senior management roles; experience in hospital or healthcare facility management is considered an asset;
• Proven experience in the strategic and operational management of high-value institutional grants, including in-depth knowledge of compliance requirements, reporting standards, and grant management procedures of major international donors, as well as demonstrated ability to build institutional partnerships and identify new funding opportunities;
• Strong budgeting, financial planning, and budget monitoring skills;
• Experience managing complex and multicultural teams (people management);
• Knowledge of security management principles in high-risk environments;
• Results-oriented mindset, with strong workload management and stress resilience skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a diplomatic and people-oriented approach;
• Fluency in English (minimum required level: C1); knowledge of additional languages relevant to the operational context is considered an asset.

Availability: Starting from September/October 2026

HOW TO APPLY

For further information and inquiries (not for applications): fo.recruiting@emergency.it. To apply, please complete the on-line application form: applications sent to this e-mail account will not be considered.

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