Job Title: Programme Officer – Next Generation Dialogues, Syria (NGD-S)

Location - Syria (based in Damascus, with regular travel across the country).

Contract Type - Fixed term – February 2026 to November 2026, with the possibility of extension.

This is a full-time, independent consultancy engagement under a services contract. The consultant will operate as an external service provider and is not an employee of Dialogue Action.

Reporting To - Programme Manager

Salary – Competitive, based on experience.

Background - Dialogue Action is a UK-based NGO, working in the fields of peacebuilding and the promotion of good governance.

We are launching a new programme to support youth (18-35 years old) contributions to Syria’s recovery and reconstruction. The programme will bring together a diverse cohort of young people through a series of working sessions to identify shared priorities and practical recommendations for recovery and reconstruction planning. Participants will receive leadership and skills development support to help them collaborate effectively, develop clear proposals, and communicate constructively.

The programme will facilitate practical channels for participants to share their recommendations with relevant stakeholders, so youth perspectives can be considered within ongoing planning and coordination efforts.

The Programme Officer will report to the Programme Manager and support the effective delivery of all programme activities.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Is excited to be part of an effort to support the rebuilding of Syria.

• Is passionate about peacebuilding and shares Dialogue Action’s commitment to working inclusively and respecting the dignity of all.

• Enjoys networking and is happy to build relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders from every background.

• Is a strong self-starter, capable of working independently

• Is confident in organising events and has experience in the not-for-profit sector, including familiarity with monitoring and evaluation, ensuring value for money and adhering to donor requirements.

• Can write clearly and effectively in English, and is confident at producing reports, policy papers, and meeting writeups. 

• Is a skilled linguist, with excellent spoken and written English and Arabic.

If you see yourself as having these qualities, we urge you to apply (see details below).

While this is a fixed term contract, we intend this to be the beginning of a long-term partnership.

Key Responsibilities

Coordination & Partnerships

• Advising and supporting the Programme Manager on the enrolment of youth participants, with a particular focus on ensuring the meaningful inclusion of women, and diverse community voices.

• Maintaining relationships with programme participants – including regular calls and in-person meetings, ensuring their continued presence and engagement in the programme.

• Liaise with local partners, community leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

• Represent the organisation in meetings, workshops, and forums related to the programme.

Programme Implementation

• Organising the practical arrangements of activities – finding and booking suitable venues; sending invitations; organising participant transport, accommodation and meals etc.

• Accurate note-taking in activities.

• Writing reports of activities, summarising key points of analysis and agreed outcomes and communicating these with the DA team.

• Managing databases of participant information,

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

• Support the delivery of monitoring and evaluation systems to inform programme learning and adaptation. This will include surveying and interviewing programme participants throughout the programme.

• Contribute to donor reports, internal reports, and learning products.

• Support the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data related to youth engagement and programme outcomes.

Compliance, Risk & Security

• Ensure activities are being delivered in line with organisational policies, donor requirements, and local regulations.

• Advise the Programme Manager on risks, including security and access constraints.

• Monitor security and political dynamics in Syria to advise Dialogue Action on important developments that could impact programme delivery.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience of programme delivery within an NGO or the humanitarian/development context or a related field. 

• Fluency in Arabic and English required, including excellent writing and reporting skills in English and Arabic, without the use of AI.

• Demonstrated experience working on community dialogue, peacebuilding, social cohesion, or youth-focused programmes is highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of the Syrian context and community dynamics.

• Good IT skills – familiarity with Excel, Word, Teams and Outlook as a minimum requirement.

• Experience of meeting donor requirements is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Must be based in Syria, with the right to work in the country.

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Proven ability to engage youth and community stakeholders in participatory processes.

• A willingness to work inclusively, with all communities. 

• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across Syria.

• Ability to travel internationally, desirable.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Dialogue Action is committed to safeguarding, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and the highest ethical standards. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to all organisational safeguarding and code of conduct policies, including maintaining strict confidentiality standards.

How to apply:

If you are interested in applying, please email a CV and a short cover letter (no more than one page) to enquiries@dialogueaction.org. Your cover letter should explain why your experience is relevant to the role, why you want to work for DA, and what interests you about this project. Please include ‘Programme Officer, Syria’ in the subject line of your email. The closing date for applications is the 15th of February.

Only applications in English will be reviewed.

Please note, we want to hear your voice in the application and understand your genuine interest in the role, not an algorithm’s output. If we detect the use of generative AI, your application will not be reviewed.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted to be invited to interview. We aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate, and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to apply as early as possible.