Country Supply Chain & Operations Manager

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 humanitarian assistance and development support, RI has grown to employ over 4,000 staff and local volunteers who work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods programming, creating a foundation for community resilience. RI operates as an alliance of four organizations—Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe—under a unified leadership structure, emphasizing collaboration and shared objectives across its global operations.

Job Overview:
The Country Supply Chain & Operations Manager is tasked with providing strategic leadership and technical oversight for the Supply Chain & Operations (SCO) function across Syria. This role is crucial in ensuring that procurement, logistics, commodity management, and operational support systems are effective, compliant, and cost-efficient, thereby facilitating timely program delivery in alignment with organizational policies and donor requirements. The manager will be responsible for enhancing operational efficiency, managing risks, and building the capacity of national SCO teams. The position involves direct oversight of procurement, logistics, commodities, and operations, with a focus on developing a scalable SCO structure that can adapt to the evolving needs of the Syria program. The role also emphasizes the importance of coordination between the Country Office and Field Offices, promoting standardized systems and contributing to strategic planning, proposal development, and emergency response efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Country Supply Chain & Operations Manager include:

• Leadership & Management: Provide strategic leadership for the SCO department, ensuring effective operational support across all programs in Syria. Lead and develop SCO staff through supervision, performance management, and capacity building. Manage the departmental budget and resources for cost-effective service delivery. Establish clear roles and responsibilities within the team and foster a culture of collaboration and compliance. Conduct field visits to enhance operational performance and provide technical support.
• Strategic Supply Chain Leadership: Develop and maintain the country Supply Chain Strategy, ensuring alignment with program priorities and donor requirements. Implement and review policies and procedures to strengthen compliance and operational effectiveness. Oversee the supply chain network design and optimize procurement, warehousing, transport, and distribution systems.
• Procurement: Ensure compliance in all procurement activities, monitor performance, and manage supplier relationships to enhance procurement efficiency.
• Logistics & Commodities: Oversee warehousing and inventory management, ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
• Operations Oversight: Manage fleet, assets, facilities, and staff travel, ensuring safety and compliance.
• Performance, Compliance, and Risk Management: Review performance against KPIs, identify risks, and lead responses to audits.
• Programme Development and Operational Support: Contribute to program design and budgeting by providing technical guidance on operational needs.
• Representation and Coordination: Represent the SCO function within the senior management team and coordinate with various departments to ensure integrated support.
• Behavior and Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of integrity and promote a culture of accountability and service excellence within the department.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, International Development, or a related field. A Master’s degree is considered an advantage. Candidates should have a minimum of 7–10 years of progressive professional experience in supply chain and operations management, with at least 5 years in a management role within humanitarian or development contexts. Strong experience in managing procurement, logistics, warehousing, fleet, and operational support functions is essential, along with experience in multi-location operations in complex environments. Candidates should demonstrate strategic planning and organizational development skills, as well as experience with institutional donors and compliance requirements. Knowledge of audit management and operational risk management is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, or International Development. A Master’s degree in a related area is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's profile for this role.

Experience:
The role requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 7–10 years in supply chain and operations management, with at least 5 years in a managerial capacity within humanitarian or development contexts. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing diverse operational teams and navigating complex, insecure environments, showcasing their ability to lead and develop staff effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in Arabic is mandatory, and knowledge of other relevant languages is considered desirable. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the context of the role, especially given the operational environment in Syria.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Damascus, Syria, with an expected travel requirement of 30%. The closing date for applications is July 31, 202

• Relief International is committed to safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct. Recruitment includes a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks.