Syria Programme Officer - Caritas Austria

BACKGROUND

The crisis in Syria, which started in 2011, is among the most pressing humanitarian disasters in the world today, with over 6.2 million Syrians internally displaced and over 5.5 million displaced in neighboring countries. Caritas Austria, through its implementing partners, has provided humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighboring countries since 2011. Today, Caritas Austria continues to be actively involved inside Syria with a particular work focus on basic assistance, education, and livelihoods.

PURPOSE & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Syria Programme Officer plays a key role in monitoring and advancing Caritas Austria’s activities in Syria. Responsibilities include project monitoring and reporting, accompaniment of implementing partners, networking with relevant stakeholders, support to fundraising efforts, and representation in coordination mechanisms. All aspects of the position are governed by a strong commitment to humanitarian standards and Caritas Internationalis’ Partnership Principles.
The Syria Programme Officer is part of Caritas Austria’s Middle East team. She or he reports to the Syria Programme Manager, and coordinates closely with other members of Caritas Austria’s Middle East team, including the Syria Livelihoods Programme Coordinator. Especially at a time of restricted (international) travel, the Syria Programme Officer plays a key role in ensuring continued coordination, partner accompaniment, and monitoring of Caritas Austria’s projects in Syria.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and foster excellent relationships with implementing partners and other key stakeholders
• Support implementing partners in complying with project agreements, donor requirements, and Caritas Austria guidelines
• Ensure the Syria Programme Manager is well informed of relevant contextual and programmatic developments
• Promote quality or implementation and learning through MEAL and capacity building of implementing partners
• Coordinate with Caritas Internationalis members and other stakeholders inside Syria
• Support the development of new projects through needs assessments, stakeholder analysis, and desk research
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with donors representatives in Syria
• Represent Caritas Austria in relevant working groups, coordination mechanisms, and clusters
• Monitor budget expenditures in relation to approved project budgets
• Facilitate the information flow to Caritas Austria’s Communications Department
• Adhere to international standards guiding emergency relief and development work as outlined by Caritas Internationalis, UN organizations, and relevant local and international spheres.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a resident of Syria, with the ability to work inside Syria
• Academic degree in Political or Social Sciences, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in project design, implementation and monitoring in the humanitarian field
• Self-starter, being able to work independently; yet at the same time, a great team player
• Fluency in Arabic, proficiency in verbal and written English.
• Excellent communication and representation skills (both oral and written)
• Experience in liaising with partners, donors, stakeholders, and authorities
• Strong organizational, administration and reporting skills
• Capacity building/training experience
• Ability to work with flexibility in order to meet tight and shifting deadlines
• Ability to travel, when/where possible
• Strong commitment to the principles and mission of Caritas Internationalis:
• Ability to strictly adhere to safety and security protocols