Position Overview:

The Area Program Manager (NWS) oversees the strategic direction and high-quality implementation of all AFH programmes in Northwest Syria. Reporting to the Director of Programmes and Partnerships, the role provides technical, managerial, and operational leadership to programme teams, ensuring projects are delivered effectively, meet donor and internal standards, and integrate cross-cutting priorities. The manager supports programme design and fundraising, supervises Area and Field Office staff, and ensures strong coordination with partners, authorities, and donors. The position requires experience working in fragile contexts, strong knowledge of the Syrian environment, and a proven ability to enhance programme quality, accountability, and evidence-based advocacy.

Required Academic Qualification:

University degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
Required Qualifications and Skills:

Minimum 5–7 years of experience in humanitarian or development programmes within Syria, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
Experience working with international NGOs or local NGOs in leadership or senior programme roles.
Strong understanding of the NWS humanitarian and early recovery context, including local governance structures, community dynamics, and operational challenges.
Experience in programme cycle management, ensuring quality implementation, monitoring, and integration of cross-cutting issues such as protection, gender, age, and diversity.
Demonstrated experience supporting proposal writing, contributing to programme design, and supporting donor reporting.
Practical experience with grant management, budgeting, and compliance with donor and organisational policies.
Proven ability to lead, manage, and mentor programme teams in field and remote-management settings.
Familiarity with the humanitarian coordination architecture in NWS, including Clusters, Working Groups, and sectoral platforms.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to represent the organisation confidently.
Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written) and good proficiency in English, especially for reporting and communication with senior management and partners.
Core Competencies:

Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to build effective and inclusive working relationships.
Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities in a complex operational environment.
Commitment to Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and adherence to the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
High integrity and full commitment to AFH’s Safeguarding and PSEA standards.
Problem-solving capacity and strong organisational skills.

Main Responsibilities:

Programme Design and Quality Implementation

Monitor key developments, trends, and changes across the NWS context to ensure AFH’s programming remains relevant, adaptive, and responsive to community needs.

Lead the development and periodic updating of the Area Programme Strategy and sector-specific plans for NWS, ensuring they are evidence-based, aligned with AFH’s country strategy, and informed by MEAL findings, assessments, and stakeholder consultation.

Ensure AFH regional and global frameworks, standards, and policies are contextualized for NWS and consistently understood and applied across programme teams.

Oversee quality implementation of all projects in the Area, ensuring activities are delivered on time, on scope, and on budget, in line with internal standards, donor requirements, and humanitarian principles.

Promote integration and complementarity across sectors and locations, facilitating harmonized approaches between Area and Field Offices to ensure coherence and high programme quality.

Strengthen quality assurance mechanisms by ensuring regular monitoring, evidence-based adjustments, lessons-learned integration, and adherence to cross-cutting priorities including protection, age, gender, and diversity.

Ensure Area-level emergency preparedness and response mechanisms are maintained, updated, and operational, and lead assessments and rapid response actions as agreed with Senior Management.

Engage actively with Early Recovery coordination structures and other technical fora in NWS, ensuring AFH is well represented and that programme insights inform advocacy and external communication.

Coordinate and support donor, partner, HQ, and internal delegations during field visits to NWS project sites, ensuring accurate presentation of programme progress and challenges.

Provide overarching management and coordination of all AFH programmes implemented in Northwest Syria, ensuring strong collaboration with Operations, MEAL, and Support Services to achieve quality outcomes.

Donor Liaison, Partnerships, and Representation

Represent AFH to donors, partners, local authorities, and coordination fora in NWS, ensuring clear communication of AFH priorities and programme achievements.

Build and maintain strategic relationships that strengthen AFH’s visibility, credibility, and positioning as a preferred partner in NWS.

Identify potential partnerships with local and international actors and contribute to the development and management of formal partnership arrangements.

Participate in and ensure consistent representation in NWS-level coordination structures (e.g., clusters, working groups, task forces), ensuring AFH’s technical perspectives and operational realities are effectively communicated.

Staff Management

Ensure all programme teams including coordinators, and technical staff under direct line management have clear workplans, objectives, and performance indicators.

Provide regular coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to programme teams, promoting professional development and ensuring staff have the tools and skills required for quality delivery.

Develop or review terms of reference for consultants, ensure technical oversight of their work, and monitor delivery in line with contractual and budgetary requirements.

Other Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Senior Management Team, champion AFH’s commitments to the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and lead by example in promoting accountability to affected populations.

Uphold and ensure full compliance with AFH’s safeguarding and zero-tolerance policies related to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH).

Ensure programme activities and staff operations comply with local regulations and maintain a clear legal and operational standing within NWS.

Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Programmes and Partnerships.

Interested candidates can send their updated CVs & cover letters to the following email address

Please make sure to state the following job code VA-KRI-2026-21 within the email title.