Programme Manager – Survivor Recovery Consultant

Title:                                       Programme Manager – Survivor Recovery

Type of contract:                   Consultancy

Contract duration:                24 months with possible extension

Days payable:                        Up to 480 working days

Reporting to:                         Country Representative for Syria

Location:                                Damascus, Syria, with travel to programme locations

Application deadline:           18 October 2026

Start date:                              As soon as possible

Background

The Global Survivors Fund (GSF) was founded in 2019 by Dr Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad. GSF works to enhance access to reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence worldwide. Its approach combines interim reparative measures with advocacy and technical support to public institutions and civil society. Survivor participation guides this work, so that reparations reflect the harm experienced, survivors’ priorities and their understanding of recovery and justice.

In Syria, GSF supports civil society and survivor groups to respond to recovery priorities through grants, partner support and links to public services. The portfolio includes livelihoods, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and work with the Ministry of Health to improve survivors’ access to health services. It also supports survivor accompaniment in pilot primary healthcare centres and the Technical Health Working Group for Survivors of Detention and Torture. Experience from this work contributes to wider discussions on reparations and appropriate responses to survivors’ needs.

Consultancy summary

The Programme Manager leads the Survivor Recovery portfolio under the Country Representative’s direction. The role oversees grants and partner relationships, coordinates the health programme and supervises livelihood and MHPSS technical experts. It works with the Reparation Policy and Programmes portfolio to connect services, centre activities and institutional learning.

Consultant’s responsibilities

Programme leadership and technical supervision

• Oversee portfolio planning, implementation and quality, aligning partner activities with survivors’ priorities and the country programme’s objectives;

• Supervises technical experts, clarify their contributions and support coordinated technical advice to partners and programme teams;

• Review budgets, implementation progress and risks with relevant colleagues and provide clear recommendations and updates to the Country Representative.

Grants and civil society partnerships

• Oversee the grant cycle for civil society, livelihood and MHPSS activities, including partner assessment, proposal review, agreements, implementation monitoring and closure, within GSF procedures;

• Maintain constructive partner relationships, agree programme expectations and support improvements in programme quality, management capacity and accountability to survivors;

• Review partner progress and reporting with technical, MEL and finance colleagues, and resolve implementation concerns through agreed corrective actions.

Health access and survivor accompaniment

• Coordinate with the Ministry of Health and relevant providers on access to appropriate health services for survivors, including survivors of detention and torture;

• Support development of referral arrangements linking primary healthcare centres, specialised providers and other programme entry points, with attention to access barriers and continuity of support;

• Oversee programme arrangements for survivor accompaniment in pilot primary healthcare centres through the civil society partner, which retains direct personnel supervision. Qualified providers retain responsibility for clinical decisions and care.

Technical Health Working Group

• Support establishment and coordination of the Technical Health Working Group for Survivors of Detention and Torture under Ministry of Health leadership;

• Facilitate engagement of relevant technical partners, support follow-up of agreed priorities and promote the use of programme learning in service development and policy discussions.

Coordination evidence and learning

• Coordinate with the Reparation Policy and Programmes manager and regional teams so centre activities, grants and health services provide complementary support;

• Work with MEL and technical colleagues to review outcomes and survivor feedback, document lessons and adapt programme approaches;

• Contribute to programme reports, institutional discussions and approved communications, ensuring claims about services and results are accurate.

Survivor participation and safeguarding

• Promote safe, voluntary and inclusive participation in programme design and review, with accessible feedback and complaint arrangements;

• Ensure partners and teams apply agreed consent, confidentiality and safeguarding procedures, maintain clear professional boundaries and escalate concerns through appropriate channels.

Consultancy requirements

Education and experience

• University degree in public health, social sciences, psychology, social work, international development or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience;

• At least five years of relevant programme management experience, including responsibility for civil society partnerships, grants or survivor recovery programmes;

• Experience coordinating health or MHPSS programmes with public institutions or service providers, and supervising staff, consultants or technical specialists.

Technical and professional competencies

• Strong understanding of partner assessment, grant management, programme quality and accountability, including review of workplans, budgets and reports;

• Understanding of survivor-centred approaches, referral coordination and the complementary roles of health, MHPSS and livelihood support;

• Ability to manage sensitive partnerships, facilitate technical discussions and use evidence to resolve implementation challenges. Knowledge of the Syrian service context is important.

Languages and working approach

• Strong written and spoken Arabic and English, with clear analytical, reporting and communication skills;

• Collaborative leadership, sound judgement and commitment to survivor choice, confidentiality and safeguarding;

• Ability to manage competing priorities and travel to partner and programme locations. Clinical expertise may support the role, but clinical care remains the responsibility of qualified providers.

How to apply 

Please click apply to submit your application including two references by 18th October 2026 (midnight CET).

Kindly note that only shortlisted contractors will be contacted and interviews will take place on a rolling basis.

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The Global Survivors Fund (GSF) is dedicated to fostering diversity, gender balance, and inclusion, reflecting the varied landscapes where we operate and the communities we work with. We welcome applications from qualified professionals of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. We particularly encourage candidates from regions where GSF is active to apply.

At GSF, we are committed to enforcing stringent Safeguarding policies, covering protection from exploitation, abuse, harassment, misuse of power, and discrimination, as well as child safeguarding and financial and fiscal integrity. We uphold a zero-tolerance approach to any form of unacceptable behaviour.

As part of our consultants selection process, shortlisted candidates might be required to provide references from previous employers and complete a self-declaration.

Please note that candidates must be self-employed or be able to justify equivalent status in the country where the position is based.

GSF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, or hiring processes (i.e. application stage, interview stage, validation stage, appointment, or training). GSF will never request applicants’ bank account information.

Your Data - If you choose to apply for this position, you will be providing us with your personal data, which will be processed solely for the purpose of selecting a candidate for this position. We will retain the personal data you share with us as part of the application process for six months from the application deadline, after which it will be deleted. Your personal data will be accessed only by our HR Staff managing the recruitment process and members of the selection panel. You have the right to a) request access to your personal data and information about how we process it, b) ask us to rectify any inaccurate personal data we hold about you c) request the deletion of your personal data or restrict its processing, and d) object to how we process your personal data. To exercise these rights, please contact recruitment@globalsurvivorsfund.org . If you have any concerns or complaints about how GSF processes your personal data, please submit them to DataProtection@globalsurvivorsfund.org .