Job Description

What we are looking for

NRC Syria is in search of an NGO Forum Partnerships and Localization Adviser who will provide strategic leadership on localisation and partnership strengthening within the Syria NGO Forum, supporting collective efforts to advance locally led humanitarian action and more equitable, principled, and effective partnerships and improve access to quality funding and decision-making opportunities for Syrian civil society organisations including work related to localisation financing, direct funding, risk sharing, indirect cost recovery, and equitable resource allocation. They will coordinate and facilitate engagement among national and international NGOs, donors, UN agencies, government and other humanitarian stakeholders; lead evidence-based analysis and collective advocacy; and support the development of practical standards, tools, and initiatives that strengthen the leadership, participation, influence, and capacity of Syrian civil society.

Additionally; the position will also serve as a focal point for localisation and partnership issues, ensuring that Forum priorities are informed by evidence, learning, and stakeholder perspectives, and translating emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities into strategic recommendations and collective action.

If you are a dynamic humanitarian leader with extensive experience in localization, partnerships, coordination and stakeholder engagement then this is the role for you!

****Please note for this role, applicants must be legally eligible to work in Syria. We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position. **

What you will do

The role will have the following specific responsibilities:

• Localisation Leadership
• Partnership Strengthening
• Advocacy and Representation
• Research and Knowledge Management
• Stakeholder Engagement

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.

What you will bring

• Master's degree in humanitarian affairs, international development, public policy, political science, social sciences, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree combined with significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian action, NGO coordination, localisation, partnerships, policy, advocacy, or organisational development.
• Demonstrated experience working with national and international NGOs.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder coordination processes and working groups.
• Proven experience producing analytical papers, reports, policy briefs, and advocacy products.
• Experience engaging with donors, UN agencies, and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of localisation debates, partnership practices, and humanitarian reform processes.
• Experience managing strategic relationships and influencing diverse stakeholders.
• Experience analysing donor policies, humanitarian financing trends, localisation financing flows, and barriers to direct funding for local actors.
• Demonstrated understanding of equitable financing and resource allocation discussions within the localisation agenda.
• Excellent facilitation, networking, and consensus-building skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to represent organisations confidently at senior levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic.
• Strong English languages skills.
• Experience conducting research, surveys, and evidence-generation initiatives.
• Experience working in Syria or on Syria-related humanitarian responses.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian coordination ecosystem (preferred).
• Familiarity with Grand Bargain commitments and international localisation frameworks (preferred).
• Understanding of donor compliance frameworks and partnership risk management (preferred).
• Experience facilitating dialogue between local actors, INGOs, UN agencies, and donors (preferred).

What we offer:

• Duty station: Damascus, Syria.
• ****Please note for this role, applicants must be legally eligible to work in Syria. We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position. **
• Contract: Fixed Term -renewable based on performance and funding.
• Travel: Approximatley 40%
• Salary/benefits: Grade 8 on NRC’s Syria’s national salary scale
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.
• For internal candidates, please use your official email address when applying.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC's operations in Syria here.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.

Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.

At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Together, we save lives and rebuild futures.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:

• treat everyone with respect and dignity
• contribute to building a safe environment for all
• never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)
• always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH