Country Director, Syria (National Position)

**Position:** Country Director
**Reports to:** Chief Operating Officer (COO)
**Location:** Syria
**Type:** Full-time
**Travel:** Regular travel within Syria (as feasible) and periodic regional/international travel
**Start Date:** As soon as possible

**Open to:** Nationals only

## **Position Overview**

The Country Director (CD) is NEF’s most senior representative in Syria and is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of NEF’s work in the country. The CD provides leadership across programs, operations, partnerships, finances, risk management, safeguarding, and external representation, ensuring alignment with NEF’s mission, values, and global strategy.

The CD leads NEF’s country portfolio in close partnership with Headquarters (HQ), operating within an agreed governance framework that sets out decision-rights, escalation pathways, and shared accountability between country leadership and HQ.

This role comes at a critical moment, as NEF transitions from a remote management approach to in country management. The CD will play a central role in shaping this transition, while ensuring continuity, compliance, and operational stability in a complex and evolving environment.

The position requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively across fragmented governance structures, shifting regulatory frameworks, and high-risk contexts.

## **Key Responsibilities**

### **Program Leadership & Quality**

- Provide overall leadership of NEF’s program portfolio in Syria, ensuring relevance, quality, and impact
- Ensure programs are responsive to evolving needs and grounded in local realities
- Oversee program design, implementation, and adaptive management
- Promote learning, innovation, and practical problem-solving across teams

### **Strategy & Syria Transition**

- Lead the transition toward ensuring alignment between different operational areas
- Conduct ongoing context and scenario analysis to inform str