Turkey: ¬¬Team Leader for the Syria Stabilisation Response Mechanism

About the Mechanism:

The Syria conflict is changing significantly, especially since the announcement of the Astana de-escalation zones agreement in May 2017. While there are still areas of active conflict, in many areas, such as Southern and Central Syria, front lines are relatively static and a semblance of relative stability has returned. Syria remains effectively divided between the Syrian government, the armed opposition, Kurdish forces, and ISIS. This has effectively led to a patchwork of different zones, with differentiated control and access. For that reason, tailored responses are needed to take into account the local context and priorities on the ground.

The overarching objective of the SRM is to provide the UK government (UKG) with an instrument by which to respond in this dynamic context. To do this, the programme should be able to incorporate a broad range of priorities and thematic areas, including support to the moderate opposition, stabilisation of specific areas, and support to the Southern (and any other) de-escalation areas. It will do this by:

1. Responding to the changing context on the ground by conducting research, needs assessments and conflict analysis, as well as providing recommendations to the UKG on the appropriate course(s) of action and devising concept notes for the programme’s own interventions.

2. Acting as the UKG’s programmatic first response tool, with the ability to implement across different geographies and different sectors.

3. Coordinating closely with other UKG programmes to provide programmatic coherence and maximise the impact of the overall portfolio.

The SRM presents a new and unique opportunity to be part of a cutting-edge programme at the centre of government policy. It requires a unique blend of expertise, management, coordination and diplomacy. In the seventh year of the Syrian conflict, UKG would like to better capitalise on the breadth of information and programming experiences, by bringing its implementers together through the SRM to drive innovation, cooperation and design, as well as challenging existing and traditional ways of delivering and managing programmes in conflict.

Creativity and innovation in designing quick response pilots will be a central focus. Flexibility, agility and coordination will also be essential, with the ability to foster and cultivate strong and constructive relationships with other implementers to ensure quick scale-up and scale-down and lay the groundwork for longer-term projects. Sometimes the response will require a one-off tactical intervention, at other times a package of activities covering stabilisation, governance support, service delivery, research or communications.

Terms of Reference:

The main functions of the Team Leader will be twofold, 1) to oversee the programme while 2) building strong working relationships with the UK Syria Office, other donors and other relevant programmes working on the Syria conflict. Reporting to Integrity’s Programme Director, the Team Leader will manage the programme by overseeing planning, coordination and guidance of the SRM team while remaining responsive to the fluctuating dynamics within the context. The Team Leader is the key focal point between the SRM and the stakeholder environment in which it operates. It is a role that requires strategic vision, implementation expertise, and effective, diplomatic management of people and stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Oversight and quality control of key programme deliverables,
• Ensuring timely delivery of targeted research and analysis products and innovative pilot project design and delivery;
• Effective and constructive engagement with the UK Syria office, its implementer suppliers and wider programming community on Syria;
• Ensuring the programme delivers useful, quality a) research and analysis, b) coordination, c) evidence distillation, d) pilot projects, e) efficient scale up and scale down, and f) programmatic learning;
• Programme strategy and evolution, in close coordination with the Programme Director and UK Syria Office;
• Management of the SRM programme team.

Education and Experience:

The successful candidate will have experience:

• leading complex, large-scale conflict-related programming for international donors;
• working with UKG and/or USG;
• in Syria and the wider region.

Competencies and Languages:

• We are looking for someone who has:
• a flexible, adaptive and professional approach;
• an aptitude for constructive engagement, compromise and listening;
• diplomatic and engaging people and stakeholder management skills;
• the ability to build strong and trusting working relationships;
• evident leadership qualities;
• high level organisational skills;
• concise and effective decision-making approaches;
• excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English;
• fluency in Arabic. This is desirable but not essential.

How to apply:

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the application form at www.integrityglobal.com/apply and attach a CV and Cover Letter at the bottom of your application.

Closing date for applications: Integrity are looking to fill this role as soon as possible. As a result, applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis with an aim to fill the role by 10 October 2017.

Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Integrity is an equal opportunities employer. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We will respect your confidentiality and abide by UK data protection laws.