Protection Project Manager – Aleppo & Damascus – HQ

Protection Project Manager – Aleppo & Damascus - HQ

Position Summary

The Protection Project Manager will lead the strategic planning, implementation, and technical oversight of Shafak Foundation’s protection programming at the HQ level. Based in either Aleppo or Damascus, this role demands a strong balance of robust project cycle management and deep technical expertise in specialized protection sectors. The Manager will ensure high-quality service delivery, drive team capacity building, and represent Shafak Foundation in high-level coordination forums.

Organization: Shafak Foundation

Position: Protection Project Manager

Location: HQ Level – Aleppo and Damascus, Syria

Number of Vacancies: 2 (One based in Aleppo, One based in Damascus)

Reporting to: Protection Program Manager

Employment Type: Full-time

Job code: 231517

Key Responsibilities

1. Project & Cycle Management

• Implementation & Oversight: Lead the end-to-end project cycle for assigned protection grants, ensuring activities are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with donor regulations and budget allocations.
• Financial Management: Develop and monitor project procurement plans, manage budget realignments, and ensure accurate financial forecasting and burn-rate tracking.
• M&E and Reporting: Collaborate with the MEAL department to design effective monitoring tools. Draft high-quality narrative reports, donor updates, and technical briefs, ensuring accurate data collection on protection trends and project indicators.
• Strategy Development: Contribute to the design of new protection proposals, needs assessments, and the overall strategic direction of Shafak’s protection portfolio.

2. Technical Leadership

• Sector Expertise: Provide expert technical guidance and oversight in at least one (ideally multiple) of the following core areas: General Protection (GP), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection (CP), and Mine Action.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all protection interventions adhere strictly to international humanitarian standards (IASC guidelines, Sphere standards, minimum standards for CP and GBV in emergencies) and core protection principles (Do No Harm, confidentiality, safety, and survivor-centered approaches).
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop, review, and update technical SOPs, referral pathways, and case management protocols tailored to the operational context in Aleppo and Damascus.

3. Team Management & Capacity Building

• Leadership: Directly line-manage project staff, providing clear objectives, ongoing performance evaluations, and supportive supervision.
• Capacity Building: Identify technical skill gaps within the Shafak protection team and local partners. Design and deliver comprehensive training modules on protection mainstreaming, PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), psychological first aid (PFA), and specialized protection topics.
• Mentorship: Provide continuous on-the-job coaching and case-conferencing support to field-level protection officers and case workers to ensure high-quality service delivery.

4. Coordination & Representation

• External Coordination: Actively represent Shafak Foundation at the Protection Cluster, GBV Sub-Cluster, Child Protection Area of Responsibility (AoR), and Mine Action working groups.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong functional relationships with local authorities, UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA), international and national NGOs, and civil society organizations.
• Advocacy: Highlight critical protection concerns and systemic gaps observed in the field to influence regional humanitarian response strategies.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: At least bachelor’s degree required. A degree in law, Psychology, Social Sciences, Medicine, Human Rights or other relevant fields is highly preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 2–3 years of progressive experience in managing humanitarian protection projects.
  • Demonstrated technical expertise in at least one (preferably more) of the following: General Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection (CP), or Mine Action.
  • Proven track record in managing project budgets, grant reporting, and proposal development for institutional donors (e.g., BHA, ECHO, UN agencies).
• General Skills:
  • Exceptional training, facilitation, and capacity-building skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities in complex, high-risk operational environments.
  • Excellent understanding of the Syrian humanitarian context and localized protection risks.
• Computer & IT Skills:
  • Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word for high-quality report writing, Excel for budget tracking and data analysis, and PowerPoint for training deliveries).
  • Familiarity with digital data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox ) and basic information management systems is highly desirable.
• Languages: Fluency in both written and spoken Arabic and English is required.

Shafak Core Competencies

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate Shafak Foundation’s core competencies:

1. Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
2. Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
3. Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
4. Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
5. Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.