Background/Context:
The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery.
Our longstanding experience in the country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, in order to respond to the new realities โ with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also plays a significant role in Syriaโs NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts.
Job overview:
The Senior Field Manager will oversee all areas and camps within Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama governorates, reporting directly to the Syria Field Director. The Senior Field Manager will be responsible for all field management of IRCโs work in the respective areas and will lead in partnership with senior operations staff. The Senior Field Manager will supervise all field management, programs, and supply chain-related aspects of IRCโs work in Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama governorates. Specifically, the position will directly line-manage the field management teams, will lead the Supply Chain team and Admin and IT teams, and ultimately handle Managers for department heads in the field (HR, Finance, HAS, Partnerships, Grants), and manage in partnership with the Program coordinators the Implementation managers within his specific areas. They will be responsible for ensuring that field operations are functional and effective, in turn contributing to consistently high-quality programs. In close coordination with the Field Director, they will actively participate in the design of IRC programs, from an operational and feasibility perspective, and work with the program lead (Program Manager) to ensure IRC programs are implemented in an integrated approach during regular and emergency implementation.
The Senior Field Manager will manage, in partnership with Program Coordinators, the Program Managers within their area of responsibility. They will also work closely with heads of support departments, including Supply Chain, Finance, HR, Admin, Grants, and Partnerships, to ensure smooth field-level implementation and support
Responsibilities:
Operational Support and Finance:
In close collaboration with the Field Director, relevant support departments, and input from the Senior Field Manager(s):
Program support
Serves as a focal point for operational support to programs inside the Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama governorates and camps, and in coordination with the Field Director, provides strategic leadership to overall programming in the designated area of operations. Support program managers and the work of the relevant field teams during the preparatory work, operational, and selection of external entities in support of the specific projects/programs. Anticipates, plans, and manages structural transitions associated with a gradual expansion of the field offices and program centers. Ensures regular field monitoring and notification of any modifications as required Promotes strong linkages, supervision, and exchange between operations and program teams, including in the field and other offices, to ensure the sharing of standard methodologies and expertise. Advises the Field Director about strategic programming directions, opportunities, and issues affecting project implementation or key local issues affecting future grants/project developments. Ensures that IRC implementation is responsive to/targeting in-need communities and coordinated and supervised with partners, other implementing agencies, and clusters. Engages in the design phase of IRC programs, enabling programs to adapt to context changes and conflict environments.Humanitarian Access and Security (HAS):
The Senior FM and the HAS focal point ensure the HAS Manager cooperates within their area of responsibility and jointly collaborates closely with the relevant area/camps authorities. Liaises with International and local NGOs and officials/authorities, as required. Advises, as required, on the policies, procedures, and interactions with the authorities in the areas of operations. Represents IRC with local authorities, donors, and other meetings in their area of operations and the related area/camps. Supports and liaises with HAS Manager on access plans and stakeholder mapping.People & Culture:
Forms partnerships across all units within the hub and delivers valuable services that match the organization's business objectives and meet the strategic requirements of the IRC workforce. Supports the HR team in the planning and execution of global, regional, and country HR initiatives for the country program. Collaborates with HR team members in the field and area offices to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of work practices, as well as consistent standards across the program. This includes but is not limited to, timely submission of completed Timesheets, ensuring legal statutory payments in the field where applicable, daily attendance to duty station, and ensuring that all department heads have completed a thorough leave plan for their respective departments to ensure minimal disruption in field operations, and FM should be enabled to access all HR files that need. Provides backup support to the field offices upon the need for onboarding of new staff, intending to ensure new hire and orientation practices are implemented in accordance with IRC standards. Provides support in recruitment efforts and conveys crucial needs and requirements in the field that must be addressed promptly in collaboration with the HR Manager designee in the field and the Talent Acquisition Unit lead for their area of operation. This includes, but is not limited to, obstructions and changes in recruiting methods carried out by local authorities. Upon need, s/he handles employee relations disputes with relevant HR representatives, complaints, and conflicts in a professional manner, intending to empower employees and supervisors to have the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge to resolve conflicts in a positive reinforcement manner. Work closely with the Peopleโs and culture department to ensure the effective implementation of IRC policies regarding working hours and employee compliance Models, promotes, and upholds a culture of values as reflected in our code of conduct, The IRC Way: Standards for Professional Conduct โ Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.Emergency Response Support:
Closely supervises the context developments in the field to identify any significant movement of IDPs, the spread of epidemics or natural disasters in areas of IRC operations, and other ways for possible expansion based on need. In coordination with the Program Manager, supports the Field Director's decision to initiate an emergency response when the situation requires. Leads coordination with the field emergency response team and ensures that clear plans are set and communicated to the field team, and supports the field team in addressing any implementation challenges. Collaborates with program focal points to issue Situational Reports.Coordination and Representation
External
Internal: All departments
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:
Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies. Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of the teams in Syria. Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit, and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to perform in their positions successfully. Approve and manage time, attendance, and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews. Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at a minimum of monthly. Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths. As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies. Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit, and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to perform in their positions successfully. Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff. Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.Job Requirements:
Education: University degree and full professional qualification.
Work Experience:
7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in management, with a minimum of 3 years in a managerial role. Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
A commitment to IRCโs mission, vision, values, and IRC Way โ Professional Code of Conduct. Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively, and solid experience providing training and staff development Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to achieve effective resolution. Excellent management and social skills and a proven ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork in a cross-cultural context! Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional perseverance. Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to improve collaboration and productivity. Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop. Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to sophisticated matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.Language/Travel:
Fluent in English required, along with Arabic. Travel: 50% to field sites.Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Field Director
Position directly supervises: N/A
Indirect Reporting: Program Managers
Key Internal Contacts: all staff
Key External Contacts: other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups, and foundations.
Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way โ Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery