The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.
IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.
Job Overview/Summary:
The Program Coordinator for Governance and Resilience will lead resilience-focused programming that strengthens social cohesion, economic recovery, and durable solutions for displaced and conflict-affected populations. In the immediate term, the role will focus on overseeing the implementation of the RISE – Resilient Interventions for Social Cohesion and Empowerment project in Northeast Syria (Deir-ez-Zor), a 5 million EUR initiative aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence, livelihoods, and integrated protection for IDPs and host communities (HCs).
As part of a broader resilience agenda, the Program Coordinator will support the development and scaling of governance and resilience strategies within IRC’s portfolio, ensuring that programming effectively reduces vulnerabilities, enhances self-reliance, and promotes conflict-sensitive, community-led solutions.
The role requires close collaboration with program teams, including ERD, Health, and Integrated Protection, technical advisor, as well as Grants, MEAL, HR, Finance, and Operations teams, to drive effective implementation, adaptive learning, and compliance. Additionally, the Program Coordinator will engage with local and international partners, donors, and governance structures to strengthen integrated resilience approaches and long-term sustainability.
Highlights of Key Responsibilities
Program Leading, Management, Implementation and Coordination:
• Lead the planning, coordination and execution of project activities, ensuring alignment with approved proposals, IRC Project Cycle Management (PCM) guidelines, and donor requirements.
• Ensure budgeted resources and implementation plans are in place, providing technical guidance to teams for quality and timely delivery.
• Monitor project performance to ensure targets, objectives, and log-frame indicators are met, with a specific focus on fostering social cohesion and economic integration between IDPs and host communities.
• Ensure all activities are implemented in full compliance with IRC, government, and donor policies, procedures, and accountability frameworks.
• Conduct regular field and camp visits to monitor activities, inspect IRC visibility, and lead project review sessions with MEAL, Grants, Finance, and Operations teams.
• Oversee project entry and phase extensions, ensuring a smooth transition and adequate support for Sr. Managers.
• Ensure the integration of Health, Protection, and ERD programs throughout all project phases, with a focus on cross-sectoral coordination and inclusive programming.
• Promote community-led solutions by strengthening peacebuilding mechanisms, supporting community-based committees, and ensuring active participation of marginalized groups (e.g., women, youth, persons with disabilities) in decision-making.
• Support the design and implementation of conflict-sensitive approaches, ensuring all activities address underlying drivers of tension between IDPs and host communities.
• Provide strategic leadership in engaging and managing diverse partnerships, including local/national humanitarian actors, government, private sector, and civil society networks/alliances.
• Support country programs in conducting assessments (e.g., political economy, conflict analysis, stakeholder analysis, and power analysis) to identify entry points for designing and implementing integrated resilience programs.
• Provide strategic leadership on evidence-based, assessment-informed program models that strengthen resilience and economic empowerment at individual, community, and systemic levels. Key thematic areas include inclusive access to natural resources and essential services, social and economic participation of marginalized groups, and climate-adaptive, diverse livelihoods.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge and capacity in the country office on social accountability, civil society strengthening, and conflict-sensitive programming, ensuring these governance themes are integrated across sectors.
• Lead the development and adaptation of participatory programmatic models, ensuring greater community involvement in decision-making and service provision.
• Strengthen civil society organizations that can amplify community voices in articulating and addressing cross-sectoral priorities at local, provincial, and national levels.
• Provide technical support to country program and partner staff to build their capacity in resilience program design and implementation through training and ongoing technical assistance.
Budget Management & Compliance:
• Oversee budget utilization, ensuring spending aligns with IRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Authorize and track expenditures, working closely with Program, Grants, Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to optimize resource allocation.
• Ensure PCM tools (Project Cycle Management tools) are in place and effectively utilized.
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams teams in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
Required Experience/qualification/Skills:
• At least 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience of Managing high scale projects
• At least four years in a managerial role, overseeing teams and program implementation
• Previous experience in an early recovery or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing programs focused on resilience, social cohesion, and community integration, particularly in conflict-affected or displacement settings.
• Experience working with civil society organizations at both local and national levels, including supporting their organizational development.
• Specific and practical expertise in resilience, economic empowerment (particularly for women and youth), community-based development, and civil society strengthening.
• Strong knowledge of various assessment methodologies and analytical frameworks, including political economy analysis and conflict analysis.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
• English is required, while Arabic is desired.
• Travel: 30% to field sites in Der Ez Zor as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs
Position directly supervises:
Indirect Reporting (If applicable):
Key Internal Contacts:
Key External Contacts:
**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
How to Apply:
https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req57635/Program-Coordinator-Governance-and-Resilience
