Chief of Party – CARMA Consortium Syria (m/f/d) | Vacancy - local recruitment in Syria

Duty station: Damascus | With travel to: Within Syria and occasionally to Beirut |Time allocation: Full time (38h/wk) | Time frame: Starting as soon as possible after 1 July 2026

Caritas Austria (CAUT) is a member of the global Caritas confederation. With implementing partners around the globe, we implement high-quality humanitarian aid, recovery, and development projects. CAUT’s Syria Programme addresses acute survival needs while simultaneously strengthening education, food security, and livelihoods opportunities in deprived communities. Protection and gender mainstreaming, as well as safeguarding, are crosscutting priorities in our work. Key reference points in our work include the SPHERE Charter, Caritas Internationalis’ Partnership Principles, and our 2025-2030 International Programmes Strategy.
Since 2019 CAUT has led the DG ECHO-funded Cash Assistance in Re-emerging Markets in Syria (CARMA) consortium. The consortium presently comprises three Syrian partners (Caritas Syria, GOPA-DERD, and SARD) and three international partners (Caritas Switzerland and Catholic Relief Services, alongside CAUT). Together they implement three main activity streams: 1) multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA); 2) protection-focused case management (CM), including referrals and cash for protection; and 3) owner-led shelter repair support. CARMA is implemented in the Governorates of Dara’a, Sweida, Rural Damascus, Homs, Hama and Aleppo, and offers services that are key to vulnerable households during the country’s current period of transition.
CAUT is recruiting a Chief of Party (national position) who will provide overall strategic leadership and operational management of the CARMA Consortium. She/he will chair the consortium’s Steering Committee and serve as the primary focal point for donor relations. She/he will ensure programme quality, compliance with donor requirements, effective coordination, and achievement of objectives outlined in the project proposal. The Chief of Party represents the Consortium vis-à-vis DG ECHO staff and other external stakeholders in Syria.

Deine Aufgaben:

Tasks:

Strategic leadership and coordination

Provide overall direction and leadership for consortium-wide project implementation
Chair consortium coordination meetings and ensure effective inter-agency collaboration
Develop and maintain strong relationships with DG ECHO and other external stakeholders
Represent the consortium in humanitarian coordination forums
Promote a spirit of trust and transparency in exchanges with consortium partners at all levels, in line with the Caritas Internationalis Partnership Principles

Programme management

Oversee project planning, implementation and reporting across all consortium partners
Ensure timely delivery of outputs and outcomes according to work plan
Monitor program quality and adherence to humanitarian principles and standards
Lead the response to emerging and evolving humanitarian needs
Report progress to CAUT’s Vienna-based Project Team (comprising Project Management, Financial Controlling and Compliance staff)
Contribute to developing project proposals

Financial and operational oversight

Monitor the overall project budget of approximately 4.2M Euro
Ensure compliance with DG ECHO regulations, consortium agreements, and CAUT organisational policies
Conduct regular risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies

Donor relations and reporting

Serve as primary liaison with DG ECHO’s mission in Damascus
Lead preparation and submission of narrative and financial reports
Coordinate monitoring visits, audits, and donor evaluations

Capacity building and compliance

Strengthen partner capacity in programme management, referral mechanisms, feedback and complaints handling, and accountability to affected populations
Ensure compliance with safeguarding and code of conduct requirements
In line with CAUT’s 2025-30 International Programmes strategy, promote local leadership and meaningful participation of local actors

Fundraising and communication

Contribute to fundraising and communication efforts on behalf of the Consortium and/or CAUT

Dein Profil:

Qualifications and experience

Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in humanitarian program management, with at least 3 years in senior project leadership roles
Demonstrated experience managing multi-partner consortia
Proven track record with DG ECHO-funded projects
Substantial experience working in Syria
Experience coordinating with UN agencies, donors, and government authorities
University degree in a relevant field

Technical competencies

Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles
Excellent financial management and budget oversight skills
Experience contributing to the development of proposals
Proficiency in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL)
Strong understanding of safeguarding, PSEA, and duty of care requirements
Expertise in multipurpose cash assistance or protection is an advantage

Skills

Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities
Ability to work effectively under pressure in challenging security environments
Fluency in English and Arabic
Proficiency with MS Office

Competencies

Strategic thinking and decision-making
Collaborative leadership and team management
Cultural sensitivity and contextual awareness
Problem-solving and adaptability
Integrity and commitment to humanitarian values
Resilience and stress management

Unser Angebot:

Contract: 1-year, national contract, with possibility of extension depending on funding
Competitive salary
Benefits includecontribution to health insuranceand 27 days of annual leave
Security: CAUT’s security protocols will be enforced; staff must comply with all security measures
Travel: frequent travel to field locations
All CAUT staff affirm their commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation

We look forward to receiving your CV and cover letter through our online application system latest on Wednesday 24 June 2026
The selection procedure consists of an informal call, one (or two) interviews, and reference checks for the final shortlisted candidate
This position is open to Syrian nationals based in Syria only

Caritas Austria is committed to equal employment opportunities. We encourage anyone who fulfils the above criteria to apply – irrespective of age, gender, religious, sexual, or ethnic affiliation. Within Caritas Austria there is no space for exploitation, abuse, discrimination, or corruption. Caritas Austria is a member of the interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. The successful candidate will be required to sign and adhere to Caritas Austria’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy.

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