Support Services Team Leader

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. 

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been operating in Syria since 2008 , initially responding to the Iraqi refugee crisis before pivoting to a full-scale response to the Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. Our work encompasses the full cycle of displacement—responding to life-saving humanitarian needs and supporting community recovery until durable solutions can be achieved . DRC Syria takes an area-based approach to supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across our key sectors: Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (including Humanitarian Mine Action).

With an established rapid response mechanism, DRC can rapidly respond to emerging crises and shocks to meet acute emergency needs . Recognizing the significant need for early recovery and resilience programming to ensure dignified, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for fragile communities, DRC’s programmes foster resilience for individuals and communities in situations of protracted displacement and during the initial stages of post-conflict recovery, towards a durable solution of their choice . With active portfolios in the neighboring countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye and Iraq, DRC offers a cross-border, regional response to the Syria crisis, through cross-border protection monitoring, advocacy, and trends analysis.

About the job

Provide support to the project field teams in the South area office in the domains of admin, HR, finance, logistics/fleet, procurement and office management. Provide direct management of the support teams based in the South Area Office (e.g. Damascus, Rural Damascus and Daraa) and serve as a key liaison between the South support team and Country Office support teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General Responsibilities:

• In coordination with Area Manager, responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the Rural Damascus office and the Community Centers the in the south, including functionality of the centers and office.
• In close coordination with the Area Manager, ensure that support systems (finance, logistics/procurement, fleet management, HR, and Admin) in south are set-up and functional in accordance with all DRC SOPs including the Operations Handbook and DRC ERP systems (Dynamics).
• Responsible for monthly reporting against key performance indicators for support functions. Continually identifying ways to improve systems for increased efficiency in support functions and proactively recommending such improvements to the Area Manager
• Ensure overall team work, communication, and coordination among the support departments. Coordinate meetings and joint planning activities as required.
• Work closely with the program teams, Program Managers, and Team Leaders to understand their needs and how the support teams can best support for achieving quality programming.
• In coordination with the Supply Chain Officer and Assistants, ensure that new and existing staff are fully aware of the support procedures. Develop SOPs and trainings as needed.
• With support service staff, ensure that documents & files are organized and stored securely in both hard copy and the office OneDrive.
• In coordination with the Area Manager, support in managing the support budget lines and provide inputs for support forecasts/budgeting.
• Participate in senior level staff meetings and provide inputs on DRC SAO strategy, recommendations for improved functionality of the teams, etc.
• Support the Area Manager on field level donor/internal/external audits & reports related to support functions as needed.
• Work independently and be able to ensure that the support team continues to operate efficiently when the Area Manager is on leave or occupied with other duties.

External Liaison:

• Be the key focal point for DRC engagement with local communities, landlords, utility providers and suppliers/contractors.
• Support DRC Supply Chain Assistant (Fleet & Safety) in meeting with local police and security actors.

Procurement & Logistics:

• Responsible for having an up to date (monthly basis) procurement plan for each project and a consolidated plan.
• Support Supply Chain Officer to ensure that inventory and assets lists are maintained and regularly updated, Warehouse and Logs stores are managed and maintained in line with DRC guidelines.
• Support the Supply Chain Officer and Assistant to ensure procurement activities are conducted in accordance with DRCs operational Handbook, in a timely and transparent manner.
• Support Supply Chain Officer to identify vendors and registration on Dynamics.
• Support the Supply Chain Assistant (Fleet) to ensure the efficient management of vehicles and in weekly planning of movement.
• Ensure to have updated market assessment to ensure DRC gets best value for money for all the procurements.

Fin/Admin/HR:

• Drive the recruitment process of hiring new employees. Oversee HR procedures based on the global policy, including recruitment, development performance, contracts, well-being and people planning.
• Support DRC Support Service Assistant, and the HR Officer with conducting staff induction and orientation in field office.
• Provide support to Support Service Officer and Supply Chain Officer to ensure that staff are issued with phones, laptops and track the usage and return of these items.
• Prepare cash forecast and coordinate with Area level budget holders for updated BFU
• Support DRC Support Service Finance/HR and Finance Assistant to ensure that all cash advances, distributions and payments are processed, cashbooks and vouchers maintained, and payrolls prepared in a timely manner and in accordance with DRC procedures.

Team Management:

• Direct management and capacity building/training of Support Service Team.
• Hold bi-weekly support service team meetings, ensure minutes are drafted and circulate to relevant team members.
• Ensure performance reviews of Support Service Team members are conducted in a regular and transparent manner, documented properly and uploaded to Dynamics.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to Support Service team members to ensure professional growth.
• Conduct all duties in accordance with the DRC Code of Conduct
• Others duties assigned by the Area Manager

This job description is not a definitive task list but has been done to clarify the responsibilities of the employee.

Experience and technical competencies :

• Overall 4 years experience in support services functions (Supply chain, Fleet, Finance, HR) with I/NGO or high profile private company.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in team leader /managerial role.
• Experience in the humanitarian sector preferred. Understanding of humanitarian principles, a must.
• Supply Chain/Procurement experience is highly desirable.
• Experience managing a team is mandatory
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft applications (MS word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Ability to show initiative and work independently
• Positive attitude and teamwork required
• Ability to multi-task and organizational skills needed

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in related discipline (business management, finance or public administration)

Languages:

• Fluent in spoken and written Arabic and English.

 In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

We offer:

Contract length: 30 June 2027

Level: Management – G

Location: Rural Damascus

Expected Start date: 1 December 2026

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position here: Application Form- Support Services Team Leader

Or view the advert on DRC’s homepage here: Homepage- Support Services Team Leader

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered .

Applications close: 17 November 2026

Need further information?

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website