Chief Operating Officer

Syria Recovery Trust Fund Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Details

Deadline: 25.07.2021

Location: Jordan

Organization: GFC Pty Ltd

Sectors: International Development Aid and Management, Personnel and Programme Management

Job type: Contract, 12 months +

Languages: English

Experience: From 20 years

Starting date: As soon as possible

Organisation & Background

The Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF) is a multi-donor trust fund initiated by the Group of Friends of the Syrian People and its Working Group on Economic Recovery and Development. It serves to channel grant funding from the international community in a transparent and accountable manner into projects inside Syria with the objective to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

The purpose of the SRTF is to reduce the suffering of the Syrian people and assist in providing essential services to Syrians. Through the SRTF, donors pool their funds to finance priority projects for essential services in sectors such as water, health, electricity, education, food security, solid waste removal, as well as other sectors including rule of law, agriculture, transportation, telecommunication, public enterprise, and housing.

Job Summary:

As Chief Operations Officer of the Management Unit (MU) of the Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF) the COO reports to the Director General (DG) of the (SRTF) who is the head of the Management Unit (MU).

The COO has the responsibility for the effective operational and financial management and oversight of the operations of the SRTF and guides, directs and supervises the MU operations and staff in their day-to-day duties to ensure the effective implementation of the SRTF’s operations.

The COO is a member of the Board of Directors of the SRTF for Management Services – Jordan and fulfils all respective statutory duties of the Board.

The COO will be an employee of the SRTF Management Unit Company Jordan.

Timeframe of Assignment:

Long-term (two years, with additional two years optional services)

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Organization Structure and Personnel Management

• Project Management

• Procurement

• Reporting and Oversight

• Operational Relationship to the DG

• Liaison with other entities and functions of the Fund (Management Committee, Auditors, Ombudsperson)

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• BSc/BA in engineering discipline; MSc/MBA is a plus.

• Professional accreditation from renowned engineering and/or management institution is highly desirable.

• Senior Expert with an international professional background obtained in long-term assignments outside his country and region of origin.

• At least 20 years of experience and a proven track record in leading an international team of experts for the implementation of major, donor-financed emergency aid and/or development funds with local partners in developing countries, including proven experience as Chief Operating Office or relevant role.

• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.

• Outstanding organizational and leadership abilities.

• Understanding of business functions such as HR and finance, etc.

• Working knowledge of IT/Business infrastructure, MS Office and data analysis.

• At least 10 years of experience of working in a senior position in an emergency aid and/or stabilization and/or development co-operation context in a conflict, post-conflict or fragile states.

• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills with at least 10 years of experience in effectively leading multi-cultural work teams.

• Proven track of first-hand knowledge of project cycle management, including remote project development and management.

• Good knowledge of procurement rules and procedures of international donor agencies.

• Thorough knowledge of and a sensitive approach towards the complexities of the social, political and cultural context of Arabic countries.

• Experience with conflict-sensitive approaches and the do-no-harm principles.

• Experience with compliance with UNSC, US and EU sanctions and policies.

• Ability and readiness to work under stress in high-risk environments.

• Ability and readiness to work and live in an off-capital environment on the Turkish-Syrian Border.

• Ability and readiness to travel frequently to all SRTF locations as well as donor countries, including field trips to Syria if and when the security situation allows to.

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Additional advantages:

• Knowledge of the complexities of the social, political and cultural context of Syria.

• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic.

• Experience in working in the Middle East and/or fragile states and understanding of risk factors associated with projects’ implementation under on-going conflict.

• Knowledge of funding mechanisms, procedures and reporting requirements of major donor institutions.

Work Environment & Travel:

• The position is Amman (Jordan) based.

• Ability and readiness to work and live in an off-capital environment on the Turkish-

• Syrian Border, if required.

• Ability and readiness to travel frequently, including field trips to Syria if and when the security situation allows.

Required Competencies:

• Professionalism, integrity and commitment to assigned responsibilities.

• Demonstrate trust and confidence in teamwork and provide guidance for achieving sustainable results.

• Interpretation and analysis of risk factors associated with project implementation under on-going conflict.

• Understanding and application of regulations on security and confidentiality.