Near East Foundation (NEF) – Syria
Job Advertisement
Position title: Siraj Manager
Reporting to: Operations Manager
Location: Aleppo, Syria
Type: Full-time
Travel: Up to 50%
Position Description
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Siraj Manager (SM) is responsible for startup assistance including site selection, registration with local entities, refurbishments, and recruiting in coordination with senior management. The SM will lead a team field associates & Logistics to ensure implementation of project deliverables on schedule. Additionally, the Siraj Manager is responsible for supporting complete documentation of activities for the project monitoring and evaluation system, and for financial stewardship to deter and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of resources.
Duties & Responsibilities
Center Setup and Startup:
- Lead the recruitment process for the community-based team in coordination with the relevant departments.
- Liaise with local authorities and manage issuance and follow-up of official documents.
- Oversee site selection, refurbishment, and center operational readiness.
Staff Management and Leadership:
- Provide ongoing management and leadership for Center staff.
- Identify and address barriers to project implementation and foster a strong team culture.
- Supervise and guide technical staff, ensuring effective engagement with enterprises, farmers, and processor groups to improve production and quality on schedule.
Program Implementation and Monitoring:
- Oversee the loan process workflow from expression of interest to disbursement, including documentation, verification, and archiving in coordination with the loan coordinator
- Maintain and monitor all activity documentation, both digital (Google Drive) and hard copies.
- Provide technical trackers for program beneficiaries to the program team.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting of project activities, including weekly and monthly technical reports.
- Oversee the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) documentation in coordination with the MEAL team.
- Provide situation analyses and updates to the supervisor.
Financial Management:
- Oversee cash management, including counting and double-checking cash boxes.
- Prepare end-of-day cash reports, including, vendor payments, and other expenses.
- Receive transfers from money transfer agents and manage all related documentation.
- Maintain oversight of the loan portfolio, ensuring high repayment rates and proper record-keeping.
- Sign loan agreements and disbursement receipts.
- Support finance and accounting teams with required documentation.
Procurement, Logistics, and Safety:
- Check and oversee procurement and logistics processes across all project activities.
- Submit procurement requests to the Operations Manager.
- Coordinate with the Security and Logistics Manager to ensure safety guidelines and protocols are consistently followed.
- Report any incidents, including staff behavior issues, emergencies, or security concerns.
Other Duties:
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years managing teams to achieve measurable results in agricultural production or processing.
- At least 5 years of experience in project management.
- Proven experience with international NGOs is highly desirable.
- Technical Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to plan, track, and communicate project progress using tools such as Gantt charts, flow charts, and software packages including Microsoft Office.
- Strong facilitation and training skills, including managing effective training, workshops, and meetings.
- In-depth understanding of the local operating context, including agriculture and security considerations.
- Leadership and Communication:
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships within a distributed and dynamic team.
- Very good spoken English proficiency preferred.
NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on September 27, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
To apply:
Please apply by submitting the following documents to the Near East Foundation’s careers page:
- Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org
The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.
Pre-employment Checks
Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:
- A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening;
- Receipt of satisfactory references;
- Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.
