Area Manager - Syria

Place: Aleppo, Syria

Starting date: 1st December 2026

Duration of contract: 12 months

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development & humanitarian projects in more than 55 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 200 million euros, with 4,000 employees worldwide

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation.

JOB CONTEXT:

HI has been present in Syria since 2012, maintaining uninterrupted operations through various intervention and coordination modalities across the country. Following the fall of the previous regime on 8 December 2024, Syria entered a new phase characterized by the coexistence of significant humanitarian needs with growing early recovery opportunities. Despite these developments, the country remains affected by a protracted crisis, with approximately 15.8 million people still requiring humanitarian assistance, including around 6.5 million internally displaced persons, while more than 5 million Syrian refugees remain in neighboring countries and Europe, some considering return. Widespread contamination from explosive ordnance, damaged infrastructure, limited livelihood opportunities, constrained access to essential services such as healthcare and education, and persistent protection risks continue to hinder recovery efforts and leave many communities highly vulnerable. In this context, HI remains committed to supporting the most at-risk populations, promoting inclusion, strengthening resilience, and contributing to a safe, dignified, and sustainable recovery for all Syrians.

HI is managing a humanitarian program covering most of Syria’s governorates, particularly, in northeast Syria:

• Support to health services for the provision of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation services (physiotherapy, provision of assistive devices, prosthetics and orthotics and MHPSS).
• Provision of early childhood rehabilitation services such as stimulation therapy for children with malnutrition
• Humanitarian Mine Action, including clearance, advocacy, NTS and TS, EORE.
• Community based protection for safe returns and support for the inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people in the humanitarian assistance.
• Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness activities against manmade and non-manmade related disasters.
• Inclusive Education for children with disabilities
• Inclusive Humanitarian Action

The actual intervention was so far managed based on a mix partnership with local structures and organizations, and direct implementation programs.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the responsibility of the Operational Manager, the Area Manager contributes within the area where he/she is based to the implementation of the mandate and the 10-year strategy of Humanity & Inclusion.

He/she ensures optimal quality and impact of the projects implemented in the area, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. He/she shares with all HI managers the responsibility of a sound management and successful functioning of the global organization, through paradigm changes.

Main Responsibilities

· The Area Manager is responsible for leading the implementation of Humanity & Inclusion's operational strategy within the assigned geographical area, ensuring high-quality programme delivery, operational effectiveness, compliance, and strategic positioning. Under the supervision of the Operations Manager, the Area Manager oversees project implementation, contributes to programme development, manages operational risks, and ensures strong coordination between programme and support functions.

· The Area Manager monitors contextual developments, identifies emerging risks and opportunities, and advises senior management on operational adaptations and strategic priorities. The position is also responsible for ensuring the effective deployment of HI policies, standards, and management frameworks, including project quality, accountability, safeguarding, security, and donor compliance requirements.

· As the senior HI representative in the area of responsibility, the Area Manager promotes collaboration among programme, technical, and support teams, ensuring that services remain operational, responsive, and aligned with programme objectives. Although not the direct supervisor of all support functions, the Area Manager plays a critical leadership and coordination role in fostering cross-functional collaboration, setting operational priorities, and strengthening the link between field operations and the Country Office.

· The Area Manager is furthermore responsible for overseeing security management within the area of responsibility, with support from the Humanitarian Access and Security Department, ensuring that activities are implemented in accordance with organizational security procedures and risk mitigation measures.

Requirements

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The Area Manager NCA covers Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama governorates, where the security environment remains volatile and requires constant monitoring.

Key risks include explosive ordnance contamination, localized security incidents, movement restrictions, and evolving political and administrative dynamics. Regular field travel is required, often involving long road movements and occasional overnight stays in field locations. Living conditions in major urban centers are generally adequate, although essential services such as electricity, telecommunications, healthcare, and transportation may be disrupted. Flexibility, adherence to security procedures, and the ability to work in a complex and rapidly changing environment are essential.

YOUR PROFILE:

• Solid experience in the humanitarian sector

· Strong understanding of programme management, donor compliance, and operational planning

• Demonstrated ability to manage stress effectively, including in demanding or fast-paced environments
• Strong reactivity, flexibility, and adaptability, with the capacity to adjust quickly to changing priorities and contexts
• Strong computer skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English is compulsory, knowledge of Arabic, both spoken and written, is a strong asset

Benefits

CONDITIONS

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission: Join the team

• 12 months International contract starting from beginning of December 2026 based in Aleppo, Syria;
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
• Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals;
• Pension scheme;
• Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution;
• Repatriation insurance paid by HI;
• Salary from 2869 € gross/month upon experience;
• Perdiem: 537€ net/month - paid in the field
• Hardship: 250 € net/month paid with your salary;
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
• R&R: according to the level of the mission : 5 days every 3 months
• Position: Unaccompanied
• a child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child and maximum four) paid in the field ;
• Housing: Individual taken in charge by HI;
• If you are resident in the country: local package.