Program Quality Director

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International is an international non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. The organization aims to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being. Established to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, Relief International operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on various sectors, including Health and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Education, and Livelihoods programming, which are essential for fostering community resilience and recovery.

Job Overview:
The Program Quality Director (PQD) is a senior leadership position within Relief International, responsible for ensuring the quality, innovation, and integration of programs across the organization. This role is pivotal in supporting the strategic direction, program development, technical oversight, and evidence-based learning within the country portfolio. The PQD will lead the organization in delivering high-quality, evidence-driven programs while ensuring technical expertise and fostering partnerships. The position requires exceptional leadership skills, a strong technical background in program quality, and the ability to navigate complex and fragile contexts effectively. The PQD will also be responsible for overseeing the alignment of programs with organizational goals and ensuring that they meet the needs of the communities served.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Quality Director will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including leading large and complex country-level or functional portfolios, managing significant resources, risks, and operational challenges. The PQD will provide strategic direction to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, multi-sector programming that aligns with the organization's goals. This role involves representing Relief International externally with donors, clusters, partners, and communities, influencing humanitarian priorities. The PQD will oversee design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, quality assurance, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems, and accountability mechanisms to drive learning and impact. Additionally, the PQD will ensure strong operational performance through collaboration with finance, logistics, and HR, while leading risk, safety, and safeguarding measures. The role also includes managing and developing technical teams, fostering high performance, and ensuring compliance with policies and donor requirements while balancing competing priorities and ensuring staff well-being.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Program Quality Director position must possess an advanced degree in International Development, Political Science, Public Health, or a related field. They should have demonstrated senior leadership experience in complex humanitarian settings, managing multi-sector technical teams and portfolios. Proven experience in leading program development, technical oversight, and MEAL systems is essential. Candidates should have expertise in Health, Protection, or integrated programming in fragile settings, along with a strong understanding of humanitarian principles, International law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Humanitarian Law (IHL), and gender mainstreaming. Exceptional leadership, external representation, and team management skills are required, as well as a proven ability to solve complex problems and deliver innovative solutions. Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, and knowledge of the Syrian humanitarian context or Middle East geopolitical dynamics is desirable. Experience with Relief International programs and systems would be an added advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Program Quality Director position includes an advanced degree in fields such as International Development, Political Science, Public Health, or other related disciplines. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and for effectively leading programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have significant experience in senior leadership roles within complex humanitarian settings. This includes managing multi-sector technical teams and portfolios, as well as proven experience in program development, technical oversight, and MEAL systems. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of successfully leading initiatives in fragile contexts and possess the ability to navigate the challenges associated with such environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and verbal communication skills being essential for the role. Proficiency in Arabic or other relevant languages is desirable, as it can enhance communication with local communities and stakeholders. Knowledge of the local language can also facilitate better understanding and implementation of programs in the region.

Additional Notes:
The Program Quality Director position is office-based in Damascus, Syria, with up to 30% travel required. The role is classified as requiring advanced pre-employment checks, including criminal records self-declaration, references, and other checks that may include police and qualifications verification. Relief International is committed to building a representative, inclusive, and authentic workplace and strongly encourages applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds. The closing date for applications is March 17, 202

• As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is dedicated to safeguarding all individuals encountered through its work and expects all staff and volunteers to uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct.