Syria Health & Nutrition Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience, and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Established with a mission to provide essential services in challenging environments, RI operates with a team of over 7,000 staff and local volunteers across 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods programming, aiming to create a foundation for community resilience. RI is an alliance of four organizations—Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe—working under a unified leadership team to implement effective local programming that is evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, and climate-smart.

Job Overview:
The Syria Health & Nutrition Specialist will provide overall technical leadership, accountability, and quality assurance for Relief International’s health and nutrition programming across Syria. This senior role involves overseeing hub-based Health & Nutrition Technical Specialists to ensure the harmonization of standards, systems, and approaches across the response. The Specialist will play a crucial role in shaping RI’s Health & Nutrition strategy in Syria, identifying gaps through extensive context analysis, and developing plans to address them. Key priorities include leading engagement with the Ministry of Health and health partners, overseeing quality programming, and identifying innovative programming models that contribute to Health System Strengthening (HSS). The postholder will also be responsible for building the capacity of health teams, ensuring alignment with international standards, and representing RI in key health coordination forums.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technical Direction and Strategy: Provide overall strategic and technical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based health and nutrition programming. Lead the development and periodic review of RI’s Health & Nutrition strategy in Syria, ensuring alignment with humanitarian needs and long-term system strengthening objectives. Identify programmatic and technical gaps and develop actionable plans to address them. Champion the design and roll-out of innovative programming models aimed at strengthening the health system while sustaining emergency response capacities. Ensure harmonization of health standards, procedures, and systems across hubs and field.
• Program Development and Quality: Provide technical leadership in the design and development of proposals, concept notes, and program modifications. Lead health and nutrition assessments to identify needs and programmatic opportunities in coordination with MEAL and Grants and Reporting teams. Support the integration of cross-cutting themes (gender, protection, accountability, MHPSS) into health and nutrition programming. Lead the development of technical frameworks, guidelines, and quality benchmarks for service delivery across supported health facilities. Ensure international and national health standards are incorporated into program design and drive continuous improvement of emergency health services, with a clear roadmap to ensure health and nutrition services meet relevant standards.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting: Oversee technical monitoring systems for health and nutrition programs, ensuring findings inform program quality improvements. Lead technical reviews and audits of health facilities and services, including pharmaceutical management and health information systems. Support MEAL teams in developing/adapting tools and methodologies for assessing program quality and outcomes. Ensure robust data analysis and reporting to guide decision-making and demonstrate program impact. Promote learning, documentation, and dissemination of innovative approaches and best practices.
• Partnerships and Coordination: Lead RI’s engagement with the Ministry of Health, building strong relationships and ensuring RI’s activities align with MoH priorities and plans. Represent RI’s health and nutrition programs at national sector (cluster) coordination meetings and other technical forums. Build and maintain strong relationships with key health stakeholders, including local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and health authorities as designated by the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and Deputy Country Director - Programs. Advocate for improved health policies, standards, and resources through coordination platforms and advocacy initiatives. Support the development of effective referral mechanisms and service integration across different levels of care. Contribute to partnership development and strengthening of local health actors’ technical capacities in coordination with the Awards and Partnership team.
• Capacity Building and Training: Provide technical oversight and mentorship to hub-based Health Technical Specialists and health program teams. Lead structured capacity building for RI staff, partners, and health facility staff to strengthen technical skills and ensure harmonized application of health standards. Ensure staff are prepared for both emergency response and longer-term system strengthening.

Required Qualifications:
Essential criteria include an advanced degree in Medicine, Public Health, International Health, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years’ professional experience in managing and providing technical oversight to health and nutrition programs, particularly in conflict or emergency settings, is required. Candidates should possess strong expertise in both clinical medicine and public health, covering primary and secondary health. Proven experience working in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and other health partners is essential, along with demonstrated ability to oversee and harmonize technical practices across multiple geographic areas. Experience providing technical assistance and capacity building to health service providers in fragile or conflict-affected settings is also necessary. Strong English and Arabic writing, communication, and public speaking skills are required, along with excellent analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in high-pressure environments.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced degree in Medicine, Public Health, International Health, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Public Health, International Health, or a related advanced field is desirable, particularly for those with previous experience working in Syria or the broader Middle East. Familiarity with donor priorities, strategies, and compliance frameworks relevant to health programming (e.g., USAID/BHA, ECHO, FCDO, UN) is also beneficial.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in managing and providing technical oversight to health and nutrition programs, particularly in conflict or emergency settings. Candidates should have proven experience leading health strategy development and implementing health system strengthening approaches, as well as experience providing technical assistance and capacity building to health service providers in fragile or conflict-affected settings.

Languages:
Strong proficiency in English and Arabic is mandatory, with excellent writing, communication, and public speaking skills. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is a senior role within Relief International and is expected to be full-time. The organization values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability, and candidates are expected to uphold these values in their work. The role may involve travel within Syria and requires a commitment to the highest standards of behavior and ethical conduct, as outlined in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies. The organization is committed to ensuring the safety of its team members and the vulnerable communities it serves.