Country Administrator

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Position Title: Country Administrator
Location: Damascus
Country: Syrian Arab Republic
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organization founded in 196

• The organization is dedicated to fighting against all forms of poverty and improving the world through humanitarian action. COOPI has been active in Syria since 2016, responding to the protracted crisis that has intensified needs due to socio-economic challenges, the impacts of Covid-19, cholera outbreaks, and significant losses in food production. Currently, COOPI operates in 33 countries across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, implementing both emergency and development projects. The organization employs an average of over 240 expatriate and national staff annually and is funded by various institutional donors, including the European Union, USAID, UN agencies, and the Italian Government.

Job Overview:
The Country Administrator (CA) plays a crucial role in overseeing and managing COOPI's financial and administrative operations in Syria. This position involves preparing and controlling the coordination budget, ensuring the sustainability of all coordination and field offices, and managing relationships with institutional partners and stakeholders. The CA is responsible for the financial management of projects, including cash flow monitoring, economic-financial performance checks, and ensuring compliance with financial reporting requirements. The role also includes human resources management, logistics oversight, and ensuring that all administrative procedures are executed properly in relation to local authorities. The CA must demonstrate effective communication and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure in a conflict-prone environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Budget Planning and Monitoring: Prepare and regularly verify the coordination budget and area coordination budgets; monitor the sustainability of all coordination and field offices; prepare budgets for new projects and control their economic-financial aspects; manage goods and ensure compliance with organizational procedures for purchases and goods management.
• Financial Management and Control: Supervise cash management across coordination and field offices; monitor projects' economic-financial performance, including expenditure projections and financial forecasts; finalize and control financial reports for donors; prepare for audits and ensure timely execution of financial procedures with local authorities.
• Human Resources: Manage local staff and oversee the administration of both local and expatriate staff.
• Logistics: Supervise contract preparation with suppliers; assist project managers in procurement processes; ensure budget availability and appropriate authorizations for expenditures.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in relevant subjects.
• A minimum of five years of relevant working experience.
• At least three years of successful experience in international relief and development in a similar position.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, negotiation skills, and organizational skills.
• Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, international organizations, and NGOs.
• Ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure.
• Proven capacity in team management.
• Fluency in English.
• Computer literacy.

Educational Background:
A university degree in relevant fields such as finance, business administration, international relations, or a related discipline is required for this position.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of five years of relevant working experience, with at least three years in a similar role within international relief and development. Experience in conflict-prone environments is a plus, as is experience in managing complex partnerships or consortiums.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Additional language skills, particularly in Arabic, would be advantageous but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Damascus, Syria, and may involve travel to field offices in Hama and Aleppo. The organization reserves the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit their CV and motivation letter through the provided application link.