The Director will lead the NW Syria NGO Forum – a coordination, representation, and advocacy platform of more than 100 local and international NGOs working on the humanitarian response in NW Syria. This is a pivotal position within the response community and wider response architecture. The NGO Forum Director will engage with local and international NGOs around humanitarian and ‘nexus’ issues requiring collective representation and advocacy. The Director will represent the NGO community at key coordination platforms in the response including, but not limited to, the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and Humanitarian Liaison Group, as well as engaging with other regional coordination platforms including the Syria INGO Forum (SIRF). The Director will also engage with UN Agencies, Cluster Leads and Co-leads, OCHA, the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Director (DRHC), pool-fund mechanisms, humanitarian policy analysts, Syrian NGO coalitions, donors, and diplomatic missions to influence policy and practice relating to the humanitarian response in NW Syria.
The NGO Forum Director reports to an elected Steering Committee of the NWS NGO Forum. Under the guidance of the Steering Committee and reflecting the harmonized views of the wider NGO community, the NGO Forum Director will be responsible for the development of humanitarian strategy and engagement, influencing and humanitarian diplomacy, and managing the Forum’s thematic working groups.
The position requires significant coordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, confident leadership skills and a deep understanding of humanitarian principles.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Strategy, Leadership and Coordination*:*
· Lead the Development of a (mid-term) NGO Forum Strategy and implementation plan related to the NWS Forum’s priorities on policy and advocacy.
· Lead on expanding NGO Forum support, coordination, and advocacy functions in light of the current and changing context of humanitarian aid to NW Syria.
· Lead coordination efforts among Forum members, and between other fora/platforms working on Syria (NES Forum, SIRF,ICVA).
· Lead the interface between NGO forum members and critical external stakeholders such as donors, UN agencies, NGO community etc.
· Advocacy and Representation:
· Lead/ensure the development of critical policy papers and advocacy products that reflect the priorities of NGO forum members on key issues related to the response.
· Lead efforts with external stakeholders to convey and represent the views of Forum members, as aligned with the NGO forum strategy (e.g. government officials, UN representatives, donors).
· Develop productive relationships with key individuals in relevant local and national government offices including ministries, civil society, counterpart institutions, diplomatic missions, and donors in close collaboration with the NGO Forum Steering Committee.
· Lead monthly General Assembly meetings with members, observers, invitees from the Syrian response (DRHC, OCHA HoO, INSO, ICVA, REACH, Pool-Fund Managers etc)
· Represent the Forum membership on the Humanitarian Liaison Group and other strategic coordination bodies, meetings, and initiatives.
· Forum Governance and Accountability:
· Under the guidance of the NGO Forum Steering Committee, develop the governance structure, and operational management requirements of the forum.
· Work with the Forum SC and NGO stakeholders to improve NGO Forum performance and hold the Forum accountable for delivery of the strategy/implementation.
· Expand the Forum structure and responsibilities to meet/suit a fast-evolving context.
· Provide direct line management of NGO Forum Staff. Ensure all direct reports are aware of their respective responsibilities and deliverables.
· Oversee the Forum budget, spending and reporting to NGO Forum donors.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 10+ years of multi-country experience in humanitarian responses in conflict, post-conflict and/or natural disaster response contexts, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior management position.
- A minimum of 5 years working on strategic level issues, with significant advocacy and policy experience.
- Demonstrated experience in representation at a senior level within fora such as Humanitarian Country Teams, Inter-sectoral Cluster systems or other IASC coordination mechanisms.
- Experience working in local and/or international NGOs or with other key stakeholders in humanitarian response contexts (e.g., donors, UN-led clusters, other fora/platform).
- Ability to supervise and effectively manage diverse teams.
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills; conversant with best practices in humanitarian interventions including adherence to international humanitarian standards and codes of conduct.
- Strong diplomacy skills and a keen understanding of the political and cultural complexities in the Middle East region.
- A strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to rapidly read situations and determine appropriate responses.
- Ability to work under limited supervision; self-motivated, well-organized and results-driven; communicates effectively and positively with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including personal integrity, tact, discretion and impartiality.
- Ability to manage stress and meet competing priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes.
- Advanced written and spoken English language skills.
- Excellent communication skills both written and oral,
- Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
- Capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances.
- Strong ability to develop and foster relationships with key stakeholders.
- Excellent coordination and facilitation skills.
How to apply
https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CAREUSA&cws=52&rid=7089
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