Team Leader

Summary

Join Search for Common Ground as a Team Leader for a multi-year peacebuilding project in Syria. This senior leadership role requires extensive experience in peacebuilding and governance programming within fragile environments, specifically in Syria. You will provide strategic direction and oversight for projects focused on social cohesion, transitional justice, security sector reform, and community resilience. The position demands strong leadership, management, coordination, and representation skills, along with experience in fundraising and organizational analysis. Initially remote, the position will eventually be based in Damascus (contingent upon funding). The role involves supervising a diverse team, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

Requirements

• BS/BA with a minimum of 13 years of progressive experience managing large-scale programs in conflict-affected or fragile contexts, including Syria
• Strong background in project management, ideally in peacebuilding, international development, or political science
• Strong understanding of FCDO contract regulations, compliance, and project management
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively engage and communicate with partners, stakeholders, and counterparts at all levels
• Fluency in English, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and presentations for diverse audiences

Responsibilities

• Provide overall vision, direction, and strategic guidance for the peacebuilding project, aligning with donor expectations and organizational priorities
• Lead development and updating of project work plans, results frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting themes, including conflict sensitivity, gender equity, the Do No Harm principle, and inclusion
• Supervise and lead the consortium management unit to provide technical support and lead strategic alignment across the consortium teams
• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the consortium implementation in Syria
• Lead planning, design, and adaptive management of programmatic activities across governorates
• Ensure program alignment with the triple nexus approach (humanitarian, development, peacebuilding)
• Coordinate with local teams and partners to ensure the timely execution of project deliverables
• Harmonize tools and procedures across the consortium partners' teams and ensure the high technical standards of the programme
• Manage project budgets to ensure expenditures align with project plans and donor requirements
• Oversee procurement and logistics for project activities, including materials and equipment needed for training and livelihood programs
• Supervise and mentor a diverse team of national and international staff across locations
• Support staff development and ensure a collaborative, safe, and productive work environment
• Foster a culture of accountability, learning, and adaptive management within the team
• Identify risks to project implementation and develop strategies to mitigate them
• Address any operational challenges that arise, including coordination issues, risks, or barriers to beneficiary participation

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Peacebuilding, International Development, Project Management, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Prior experience in a senior leadership role, such as Program Director or Chief of Party on donor-funded contracts, is highly preferred
• Fluency in Arabic is a strong asset