Area Manager – Northwest Syria (NWS)

About World Vision

For more than 75 years, World Vision has been committed to making a positive and lasting difference in the world. We have become a global leader in improving and transforming the lives of children, their families, and their communities. We help children, families, and communities overcome poverty and injustice, irrespective of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Every child deserves a life rich in meaning and purpose. We work with the most vulnerable children in the world so they can experience life in all its fullness.

Job purpose:

Location: Syria - Northwest Syria (NWS)

The Area Manager, reporting to the Deputy Director of Field Operations (DDFO), provides strategic leadership, oversight, programming/field operations, serving as the principal point of contact for government, UN bodies, and humanitarian stakeholders Office. The position ensures project alignment with organizational strategy, navigates complex regulatory environments, compliance. The post holder is expected to lead on the development, planning, implementation, and monitoring of programming closely across all departments, including Technical Advisors, Grant Acquisition and Management, Finance, People and Culture, Program Support, to achieve high-quality results and operational excellence.

Likewise, the Area Manager provides overall leadership and management of staff based in the Area Program, different technical units/departments, to ensure effective program operations and staff cohesion. Thus, Program will administratively report directly to the Area Manager and will have a dotted-line reporting Heads or Line Managers.

Internally, for smoother field operations processes, the Area Manager (AM) should ensure proper coordination operations staff and other departmental staff based in the Field office/Area Program. Likewise, the AM, leads the review and updating of internal field operations processes at the Area Program, in coordination functions, if and when needed.

Major Responsibilities:

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT

• Ensure that the portfolio of projects has sectoral alignment per the Syria Response strategy.

• Provide oversight and support to ensure that projects assigned to Project Managers are properly planned and implemented to meet agreed results, timelines, and budget indicators.

• Ensure that assigned projects are adequately staffed to facilitate effective implementation.

• Facilitate reporting on the progress of field implementation.

• Analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of field implementation and introduce corrective measures where needed (key focus on managing burn rates).

• Ensure proper implementation of projects (financially and programmatically) according to WVSR standards throughout the life of the Project Cycle Management.

• In collaboration with the Partnerships Manager, identify areas for staff/partner development.

• Engage with partners constructively to facilitate effective partnerships on projects under the portfolio.

PROJECT PLANNING AND DESIGN

• Work closely with Technical Advisors, MEAL, Finance and GAM on selection of areas, designing new proposal log frames, workplan and budget development.

• Lead /support respective Project Managers in developing the project budget (DPC) and staffing needed during the design process.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Determine staffing requirements and facilitate hiring and orientation.

• Facilitate staff training and development.

• Set objectives for staff, monitor their performance and provide feedback.

• Ensure staff wellbeing.

LIAISON and COORDINATION

• Represent World Vision Syria Response (WVSR) in NWS and engage with local authorities, administrative bodies, and coordination platforms to ensure smooth operational access and compliance.

• Act as WVSR's representative in Area Coordination Groups at the sub-national level, aligned with the Syria NGO Forum and UN Hubs in NWS.

• Participate in relevant meetings, conferences, and cluster coordination forums by authorities, organized by authorities, UN agencies, and humanitarian actors.

• Lead discussions with security forces, local councils, and government entities to facilitate approvals, resolve access issues, and maintain operational continuity.

• Coordinate and engage the Risk and Compliance Unit for support for all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between WVSR and authorities, ensuring all agreements are finalized for the project start-up.

• Ensure all correspondence with authorities adheres to WVSR policies and is documented, retained, and filed in an organized and secure manner.

INTERNAL PROCESSES SUPPORT

• Support the Deputy Director of Field Operations with correctly implementing established internal processes.

• Raise and highlight any discrepancies or malfunctions in the design of internal processes vis-à-vis the correct implementation.

• Support the revision and correction of internal processes within WVSR in coordination with other departmental functions.

Knowledge/Qualifications for the Role

Required Professional Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of humanitarian and development experience, preferably in Syria.

• Experience designing and implementing multi-sector humanitarian programs

• Experience managing and overseeing budgets of at least $3M

• Experience working across multiple internal departments, convening and leading people.

• Experience with remote management and partner management

• Strong communication skills with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively (oral humanitarian community as well as with field practitioners.

• Knowledge of computer software such as MS Office and email programs

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification:

• Post Graduate University degree in International Development or other related majors, OR significant humanitarian formal education requirements.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, Refugee ICRC, and major NGOs on protection of civilians, in particular of IDPs, women, and children, the codes Sphere Project, etc.

• Detail-oriented, with demonstrated experience in follow-up and ensuring complex ideas turn into action.

• Concrete, practical hands-on experience in the management of aid in fragile contexts.

• Strong knowledge of key sectoral areas and corresponding programmatic approaches.

• Experienced and confident in external representation with donors and within formal and informal coordination

• Highly developed communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to express ideas and concepts internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated success as a collaborator and team builder committed to the transfer of knowledge.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

• Innovator and calculated risk taker.

• Understands, values, and promotes diversity to achieve organizational goals.

• Experience designing and implementing programs in Syria is highly preferred.

• Full adherence to World Vision Child Protection, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest

• Experience in establishing, designing, and implementing cross-border programs through

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time.

• Position will be based in Northwest Syria.

Physical Requirements:

• N/A

Language Requirements

• Arabic and strong English