Chief of Party / Consortium Manager 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.

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications and experience

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

Conditions of service

• Contract: 1-year, national contract, with possibility of extension depending on funding

• Competitive salary

• Benefits include contribution to health insurance and 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

How to apply

• We look forward to receiving your CV and cover letter through our 6160330/: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