Area Program Manager – South / Early Recovery and Livelihoods Technical Advisor - (National Candidates Only)

Position Overview:The Area Program Manager/ ERL Technical Advisor (South) oversees the strategic direction and high-quality implementation of all AFH programmes in Southern 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 Holder will also cover the task of Technical Advisor in Early Recovery and Livelihoods ERL. 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.Main Responsibilities:Programme Design and Quality Implementation* Monitor key developments, trends, and changes across Southern Syria 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 the south, 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 southern governorates 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 and Livelihoods coordination structures in Damascus and southern governorates, ensuring AFH is well represented and that programme insights inform advocacy, programme design, and external communication. * Coordinate and support donor, partner, HQ, and internal delegations during field visits to Southern project sites, ensuring accurate presentation of programme progress and challenges. * Provide overarching management and coordination of all AFH programmes implemented in Southern 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 southern Syria, 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 Southern Syria. * 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 South-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 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.Technical Advisory - Early Recovery and Livelihoods (ERL)* Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance on Early Recovery and Livelihoods programming across Southern Syria, ensuring interventions align with humanitarian–development nexus approaches and local recovery priorities. * Support programme teams in the design, implementation, and monitoring of ERL interventions including livelihoods restoration, vocational training, market-based programming, small enterprise support, climate-smart agriculture, and community-based recovery initiatives. * Ensure ERL programmes are informed by market assessments, conflict sensitivity analysis, and local economic recovery opportunities. * Provide technical review and guidance during proposal development to ensure ERL components are evidence-based, technically sound, and aligned with donor priorities. * Support programme teams in integrating livelihoods and recovery approaches across sectors such as WASH, protection, and community stabilization. * Develop and promote ERL technical guidance, SOPs, and tools to strengthen programme quality and consistency across the Area. * Support monitoring of ERL outcomes and contribute to learning and adaptation through analysis of programme results, lessons learned, and best practices. * Represent AFH in relevant Early Recovery and Livelihoods coordination mechanisms, technical working groups, and sectoral forums when required.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 South. * Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Programmes and Partnerships.Education:University degree in International Development, Economics, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Agriculture, or a related field.Qualifications and RequirementsEssential Qualifications* 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 Southern Syria 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. * Demonstrated experience in Early Recovery and Livelihoods programming, including livelihoods restoration, economic recovery, vocational training, market systems development, or climate-smart agriculture. * Experience designing or technically supporting livelihoods, resilience, or recovery programmes funded by institutional donors. * Strong understanding of local economic recovery dynamics, market-based programming, and community-based recovery approaches in fragile or post-conflict contexts. * Experience conducting or utilizing market assessments, livelihoods assessments, or economic recovery analysis to inform programming. * Proven ability to lead, manage, and mentor programme teams in field and remote-management settings. * Familiarity with the humanitarian coordination architecture in southern Syria, 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.HOW TO APPLYHow to apply Interested candidates can send their updated CVs & cover letters to the following email address: [email protected] make sure to state the following job code VA-KRI-2026-22 within the email title.All applicants are subject to a satisfactory screening check and at least 2 professional references.Action for Humanity doesn’t discriminate in its recruitment process against any race, religion, or gender and maintains a transparent recruitment process.Action for Humanity is committed to maintaining all necessary safeguarding measures to protect and promote the well-being of all individuals who have a direct and/or indirect relationship with the organization and expects all staff, volunteers, consultants, and suppliers to share this commitment.The humanitarian intervention of Action for Humanity has no political, or religious affiliation nor has any monetary purpose.