Country Director Syria and Türkiye
Auslandsmitarbeitende
Naher Osten
Türkei, Syrien
Malteser International (MI) is the international humanitarian relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta. For over 60 years we provide relief and recovery for people during and following conflicts and disasters around the world. Christian values and humanitarian principles form the foundations of our work. In over 30 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, we support people in need – regardless of their religion, origin or political convictions.
In the Middle East Region, Malteser International (MI) has been operating in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Syria since 2012, implementing emergency relief measures in Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon, and since 2014 in Iraq. MI implements projects in Syria in the sectors of Health, WASH and Food Nutrition Security which are mostly partner-implemented.
For its work in Syria and Türkiye, Malteser International is looking for a Country Director.
As Country Director – Syria/Türkiye, you will provide strategic, programmatic, and operational leadership for Malteser International’s program in Syria and Türkiye. In addition, you will oversee program quality, risk management, and team leadership while representing the organization with key stakeholders, donors, and coordinating bodies. This senior role requires a dynamic leader with deep experience in complex humanitarian settings and in organizational transition.
Your responsibilities:
- Provide overall leadership to the country program, developing and implementing strategic plans in alignment with MI’s global priorities and the regional context
- Ensure the design, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality, impactful programs in Syria and Türkiye, in line with humanitarian principles and donor requirements
- Lead and support a diverse, multi-disciplinary team across both countries and foster a positive organizational culture, promote staff development, and ensure adherence to safeguarding and HR policies
- Lead the development of funding strategies and engage with donors to secure sustainable resources for the Syria/Türkiye portfolio
- Ensure sound financial management, budget oversight, and compliance with internal policies and donor regulations, including anti-fraud and due diligence procedures
- Oversee the implementation of robust safety and security protocols, ensuring duty of care for staff and operational continuity in volatile contexts
- Represent MI with donors, partners, and coordination bodies
Your profile:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Relations, Development Studies)
- At least 10 years of working experience in managing humanitarian aid and/or development projects with international NGOs and/or international organizations, work experience in the Middle East, and with German and international donors (GFFO, BMZ, etc.) desired
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-sectoral programs and translate strategic vision into operational results, with experience in remote or cross-border programming
- Experience with budget oversight, donor compliance (e.g., GFFO, BMZ, ECHO), and risk mitigation in programs
- Prior experience in transition or change management
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with a history of building, mentoring, and managing diverse teams in multi-location settings
- Fluency in English required, Arabic, Turkish, and/or German an asset
What we offer:
- Start Date: July/ August 2025
- Duty Station: Gaziantep, Türkiye & Damascus, Syria
- Duration of contract: Two years
- Salary according to qualification and experience, insurance package
Working for Malteser International
Malteser is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all people, regardless of gender, confession or origin.
Malteser International is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Malteser International conducts reference and background checks for all staff (including criminal records check for specific roles). Any candidate offered a job with Malteser International will be expected to sign MI’s Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.
Whether you work as a specialist on overseas service or in one of our regional offices - we offer you a challenging working environment in an experienced international team. More than 1,000 national and international staff are currently deployed in various crisis and disaster areas around the world as well as in our regional offices in Cologne and New York City. For more information please click here.
How to apply:
If you are interested in this position, kindly submit your extensive application (CV, letter of motivation, copies of diplomas and three professional references) online at our job portal until
31th May 2025.
Please note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Suitable candidates may be contacted before the application deadline.