Liaison & Security Officer -Damascus

Background/Context:

The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hasakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery.

Our longstanding experience in the country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, to respond to the new realities – with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts.

Job overview:

The Liaison and Security Officer, under the supervision of the Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator, serves as IRC’s focal point with relevant national and local authorities in Central and South Syria, support the SHASC to ensure organizational compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, maintain registration status, secure timely governmental approvals, and facilitate sustained operational and programmatic access across IRC’s areas of implementation, and ensures that IRC activities are conducted in accordance with government regulations while upholding IRC’s humanitarian principles, organizational policies, and duty of care obligations. The Liaison and Security Officer is also responsible for supporting security management for IRC staff, premises, and assets in Central and South of Syria, ensuring compliance with IRC minimum security standards, contributing to security risk mitigation measures, and providing support to security incident reporting, response, and follow‑up processes.

Responsibilities:

1. Government Liaison & Humanitarian Access

• Under the supervision of the SHASC, act as IRC’s focal point with relevant Syrian ministries (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor) and local authorities across Central and South Syria.
• Support the SHASC to ensure timely renewal and maintenance of IRC registration, operational licenses, and other legal documentation required to operate in Syria.
• Ensure the submission, tracking, and follow-up of program approvals, activity permissions, and official correspondence with authorities in Central and South Syria.
• Establish and maintain effective, trust-based relationships with government counterparts and relevant external stakeholders.
• Support the SHASC to facilitate and coordinate visits of IRC visitors, senior management, and donors, including securing approvals and movement permissions.
• Support IRC staff movements through airports and official border crossing points, ensuring smooth entry and exit procedures.
• Under supervision of the SHASC, coordinate with IRC legal Representative and relevant authorities to obtain and renew visas for international staff and official visitors.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with key national and sub-national authorities to support sustained access and collaboration.
• Maintain a structured calendar and tracking system for approvals, renewals, registrations, and compliance deadlines.
• Ensure all official correspondence, permits, approvals, and meeting records are properly documented and securely archived.
• Monitor changes in Syrian laws, regulations, decrees, and administrative procedures affecting INGOs.

2. Security Risk Management

• Conduct Premises Risk Assessments for IRC offices, guesthouses, and program implementation sites across Central and South Syria.
• Support the SHASC to review, updating and developing the Security Risk Assessment (SRAs) for IRC areas of operations across Central and South Syria.
• Support the review and updating of the Security Management Plan (SMP), SOPs, and contingency plans (hibernation, relocation, evacuation) in line with contextual changes.
• Conduct follow-up security visits to IRC premises and field locations to ensure compliance with security standards.
• Under supervision of the SHASC, develop, update, and test office and facility evacuation plans, including practical drills where feasible.
• Prepare and deliver security briefings for newly joined staff and visitors; ensure pre-arrival and on-arrival security documentation is relevant to the context.
• Ensure all security incidents are reported on time and all incident reports are submitted on IRC’s online reporting system.
• Support the SHASC to ensure IRC premises are equipped with appropriate safety and security equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency signage, etc.), and follow up with Supply Chain on fire, health, and vehicle safety issues.
• Monitor political, social, economic, media, and military developments relevant to security and access, and report to SHASC.
• Oversee and monitor visitor movements, including airport and Land BCPs pick-ups and drop-offs, and maintain up-to-date visitor tracking records.
• Maintain a structured tracking system for all IRC International Staff and IRC visitors.

3. Internal Coordination & Reporting

• Under supervision of the SHASC, work closely with program, field, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance teams to ensure all planned activities are legally cleared and aligned with government requirements.
• Provide regular written and verbal updates to the SHASC on access, registration, legal compliance, and security developments.

4. Staff Management & Team Oversight

• Recruit, supervise, and manage receptionists and security guards across Central and South Syria.
• Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance reviews in line with IRC performance management standards.
• Support the SHASC to develop and implement capacity-building and on-the-job learning plans for direct reports.
• Ensure effective time, attendance, and leave management, and adequate staffing coverage at all times.
• Promote staff care, well-being, and adherence to duty of care principles.
• Address performance or conduct issues in coordination with Human Resources, in line with IRC policies.

Job Requirements:

Education:

University degree in a relevant field such as law, public administration, international relations, security management, or related discipline. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Work Experience:

• 2–3 years of relevant experience in liaison, government relations, legal affairs, access, and/or security roles with international NGOs, UN agencies, or diplomatic missions.
• 1-2 years of experience managing and supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience working with Syrian authorities and navigating regulatory and administrative processes.
• Proven experience supporting security risk management, including SRAs, SMPs, SOPs, and contingency planning.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and cultural sensitivity.
• Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to achieve effective resolution.
• Excellent management and social skills and a proven ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork across departments.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional perseverance.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to improve collaboration and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop.

Language/Travel:

• Fluent Arabic and English: Professional working proficiency
• Travel: 20% to field sites.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator
Position directly supervises: Receptionists and Guards in Central and South Syria
Key Internal Contacts: SeniorField Managers – Humanitarian Access and Security Manager

Key External Contacts: other non-governmental organizations

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC’s operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.