COOPI is looking for a Head of Programmes in Syria

COOPI started its operations in North-East Nigeria in July 2014 to carry out a rapid evaluation of the most relevant constraints suffered by the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) that had been displaced by the food security crisis and by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin. In 2021, the organization commenced new operations in the North-West of Nigeria, in the Sokoto and Kaduna regions, focusing on DRR and on the resilience building of communities affected by natural disasters.

COOPI aims to support the most basic and pressing needs of communities affected by conflict. COOPI is providing multi-sectoral emergency response to IDPs, returnees, and host population focused on food security, nutrition, protection, and education.  COOPI is currently implementing projects funded by UN agencies, the US Government, the EU and FCDO.

Description of the role

The Program Specialist will provide technical support and quality assurance across COOPI’s multisectoral programs (FSL, WASH, Protection, and Early Recovery). The role involves reviewing and developing program tools (SOPs, ToRs, guidelines), ensuring program design and reporting meet donor and organisational standards, and supporting the integration of cross-cutting themes, including DRR, Protection, Gender, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP). The Specialist will contribute to program development, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, staff capacity building.

Main responsibilities

Programme quality and Technical Support

• Provide technical guidance across all sectors (FSL, WASH, Protection, DRR, Early Recovery), ensuring alignment with COOPI standards, donor requirements, and international best practices;
• Review and develop programmatic tools including SOPs, ToRs, guidelines, checklists, and technical standards to strengthen program quality and consistency;
• Support the integration of cross-cutting themes (Protection, DRR, Gender, Accountability to Affected Populations) into sectoral programming; 
• Review narrative reports (internal and donor-facing) to ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality;
• Conduct regular field visits to provide hands-on technical assistance, capacity support, and quality assurance;
• Facilitate decision-making on project implementation related to planning, budgeting, and operational issues;
• Support adaptive management processes, including revisions to objectives, targets, and implementation strategies based on evidence and context changes.

Coordination and Partnership

• Collaborate with the coordination team to ensure effective program implementation and integration across all sectors;

• Strengthen internal coordination among sectoral teams to promote integrated, multisectoral programming;

• Support the establishment and follow-up of MoUs and agreements with technical departments, government institutions, and local partners.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

• Collaborate with the M&E team and Program Coordinator to design ToRs, tools, and methodologies for assessments, baseline surveys, and evaluations;
• Ensure tools and approaches are context-appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with Protection, DRR, and accountability principles;
• Provide technical input and quality assurance during the design, implementation, and analysis of assessments and surveys;
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, case studies, success stories, and best practices for internal learning and donor visibility;
• Promote participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches, ensuring meaningful involvement of communities and stakeholders.

Program development

• Provide technical inputs for proposals, concept notes, and emergency appeals across all sectors, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and COOPI’s strategic priorities;
• Contribute to the development of innovative and context-specific programs;
• Support the Program Coordinator in planning and leading appeals and proposal development processes.

Capacity Building

• Conduct trainings and workshops for staff and partners on program quality standards, and integrated approaches;
• Mentor and support junior staff in developing technical skills and understanding of multisectoral programming;
• Develop and update training modules, guidance notes, technical tools, and resources to strengthen program quality and integration.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL

• Master’s degree in relevant subject (postgraduate degree required);
• At least 3 years of work experience in formulating, implementing and coordinating projects with international NGOs; 
• Experience working with different donors (UN agencies, US Government, EU, FCDO); 
• Good knowledge of humanitarian standards and principles;
• Excellent reporting and proposal writing skills in English;
• Strong technical knowledge of humanitarian standards and best practices in FSL, WASH, Protection, and DRR;
• Proven ability to integrate cross-cutting themes (gender, protection mainstreaming, AAP);
• Proactive attitude in planning and coordination with agencies, institutions and points of reference;
• Results orientation and problem-solving skills; 
• Strong managerial skills;
• Good leadership skills, aimed at team management and motivation;
• Ability to handle stressful and complex situations with a positive attitude;
• Diplomatic skills and confidentiality;
• Advanced computer skills
• Sharing of COOPI’s vision and mission.

DESIRED

• Previous experience in the region;
• Knowledge of the Italian language will be considered a plus.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
 

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 240 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments.