Country Director

About INSO  Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO) is an international NGO that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations, and training. INSO provides daily support to more than 1,500 NGOs operating in 24 of the world’s most insecure countries. INSO is registered in the Netherlands, with its headquarters located in The Hague, a city renowned for its international focus on peace and justice.  INSO SyriaThe INSO Syria programme supports more than 300 NGOs to deliver aid and assistance to an estimated 13.1 million people in need across the country. First launched as an emergency response operation in 2014, INSO Syria grew to a region-wide and cross-border presence before consolidating wholly into the country in 2024. INSO Syria now has its main office in Damascus with sub-offices in Aleppo, al-Raqqa, and al-Qamishli, and continues to play a vital role supporting NGOs during Syria’s transition.Job SummaryAs Country Director, you will provide leadership, coordination, representation, and management in relation to all staff and services of INSO Syria. This position is based in Damascus, Syria, with occasional travel to Beirut and Amman, as well as frequent travel within Syria. The position reports to the Regional Director – Middle East and Central Asia.Major duties and responsibilities Program strategy and managementManage the INSO Syria team across all field locations, including direct supervision of senior management staff and general oversight of the grant, program, operations, and finance functions.Provide dedicated, effective leadership across the program and ensure cohesion across all functions in compliance with INSO SOPs.Develop overall strategy and deliver annual planning.Steward INSO resources effectively and transparently in full compliance with internal and donor policies.Responsible for the safety and security of staff, program and assets.The Syria CD will likely directly supervise the INSO Iraq team based in Erbil, ensuring coordination and consistency of services across the two programmes (pending formal approval). Representation and synergiesEffectively represent and protect INSO’s principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality and actively promote INSO as an integral member of the humanitarian community.Maintain donor engagement and actively track country-specific funding opportunities.Ensure compliance with donor regulations and requirements and produce high-quality, compelling donor proposals and reports.Engage with third parties, including local government, the UN, diplomatic missions. Fulfil INSO's responsibilities under the UN-NGO Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework for security collaboration, and support interagency humanitarian access coordination, including through the Humanitarian Access Working Group.Constructively participate in external coordination activities related to safety and security coordination and access issues.Program support and monitoringOversee the overall delivery of INSO services—ensuring program targets and objectives are met.Deliver strategic analysis to senior humanitarian leadership.Lead crisis management support to NGO partners during critical incidents. Lead grant management across the multi-donor portfolio, including supervision of the reporting officer, oversight of the drafting, review, and timely submission of narrative and financial reports, compliance with donor regulations and INSO policies, development of funding proposals and budgets, and ongoing donor engagement across the full grant cycle.RequirementsEssential3-5 years of relevant work experience as an NGO Country Director or equivalent senior management experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts. Experience with management of multi-donor projects. Experience with budget management and monitoring, donor liaison, and reporting.Fluency in English, both written and verbal.Proven analytical skills. Master’s degree-level education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field Solid understanding of principles and practices in broad humanitarian action, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination. Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills. Nice to HaveRecent experience in Syria or the Middle EastArabic and/or Kurdish language skills.Direct experience and involvement in a crisis management role. Experience in a highly visible interagency role. Detailed understanding of INSO mandate and services. Previous INSO experience (as a team member or as a beneficiary). Core CompetenciesProblem-Solving – Identifies issues, analyses causes and contributes to effective solutions.Communication – Communicates clearly and effectively with diverse stakeholders.Organisation – Plans, prioritises and coordinates tasks efficiently.Accountability – Takes ownership of responsibilities, decisions and outcomes.Resilience – Maintains effectiveness and composure under pressure.INSO’s Safeguarding PolicyINSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers. We ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy throughout the recruitment process. INSO is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and the selected candidate will be required to undergo the relevant misconduct disclosure checks as part of the final hiring steps. Terms & ConditionsTwelve-month contract with an expected start date of 1 November. EUR 6,500 per month salary, 4 days annual leave per month, employer-provided private residence, R&R allowance of EUR 1,000 every three months, global medical coverage (excluding USA), and AD&D insurance.How to applyReady to lead, influence and make a difference in one of INSO’s country programmes? We’d love to hear from you.Please submit your most recent CV and a cover letter explaining how your experience meets the mandatory requirements, what motivates you to take on the Country Director-Syria role, and what you would bring to INSO and the country programme.Please also add one relevant, substantive writing sample in English (maximum 10 pages) that demonstrates your ability to analyse complex issues, communicate clearly and produce high-quality reporting.