Project Manager

About Bibliothèques Sans Frontières

Founded in 2007, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) is an NGO that empowers vulnerable populations by sharing culture, education and information. It implements inclusive and innovative projects in 30+ countries, enabling people affected by crises and precarity to educate themselves, dream and (re)build their lives.

BSF’s expertise is based on three pillars:

• Selecting educational and playful content adapted to the final beneficiaries (profile, language(s) spoken, literal level, objectives), whether physical and/or digital. To date, the BSF database contains over 50,000 digital contents in more than 36 different languages
• Disseminating this content using innovative offline digital tools, enabling users to access this content from their smartphone, tablet, computer, or even e-reader:
• The Ideas Box: a multimedia library in kit form, that can be deployed over 100 m2 in less than 20 minutes, containing both paper and digital documentary resources, an offline internet server along with computers and tablets, board games, films… This genuine toolbox can be used to set up educational and school activities, train-the-trainer courses, as well as human development activities such as theater workshops and games.
• The Ideas Cube: an autonomous and ultra-portable server that works without an Internet connection to provide access to information in the most remote locations. The Ideas Cube creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to information in the most remote locations. The Ideas Cube creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to which users can connect using a smartphone, tablet or computer to access thousands of educational, cultural or training resources.
• Training local partners and future users of the devices in the use of these tools but above all in cultural mediation around the selected content to facilitate the appropriation of the project and its impact.

At BSF, decisions are only based on the applicant’s skills and qualities regarding its needs of recruitment within a respectful and inclusive process. BSF hires and employs individuals regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic background, or disability.

Context

BSF is present since 2024 in Syria and implements activities supporting access to informal education and psychosocial support for IDPs and host communities.

Following the fall of the regime, BSF is opening an office in Damascus, and starting new projects, providing support to children and youth affected by the protracted crisis and the lack of education opportunities. The scope of intervention covers recreational and psycho-social support, education in emergency, access to employment, and social cohesion.

Position Objectives

BSF is recruiting a Project Manager based in Damascus to ensure the design and the proper implementation of BSF projects in the country and provide support to the implementing partners. S/he will be under the direct supervision of the Regional Program Coordinator based in Amman and will work in close coordination with the Support Coordinator and the Technical Coordinator.

The assignment’s main objectives are:

• Partnership management and development, including mobilizing and coordinating with partners and relevant stakeholders in Syria
• Operational and financial management of the BSF projects in Syria
• Support in completing procurement processes and logistics tasks;
• Monitoring, evaluation and capitalization;

Key responsibilities

The Project Manager will be responsible for the following key tasks:

1. Operations management

• Guarantees the quality of operations in the country of intervention.
• Manages the project team in Damascus office
• Ensures sound budgetary management of projects implemented.
• Ensures budget planning and monitoring of the budget.
• Carries out diagnosis and monitoring missions in the country.
• Organizes and conducts training sessions with NGO partners’ staff

2. Administrative Management

• Conducts procurement and logistics tasks related to the projects’ implementation
• Ensures, with the support of the regional office and in coordination with the Administration Finance Logistics officer the development and implementation of internal procedures
• Acts as the primary contact for administrative matters and for providers including the launching of BSF registration and coordination with the lawyer in country.
• Represents BSF with relevant administrative implications.

3. Fundraising and representation

• Coordinates with local and national authorities to secure humanitarian access and build acceptance.
• Represents BSF in relevant coordination spaces and clusters with local authorities, other NGOs and relevant actors.
• Builds relationships with potential financial and operational partners to strengthen existing relations and further develop BSF’s partnerships
• Identifies funding and operational opportunities.
• Supports the regional office in drafting narrative and financial project proposals

Profile

At BSF, we recognize the value of a diverse range of experiences. If you do not meet every qualification but believe that your skills, knowledge, and drive make you a suitable candidate for this role, we encourage you to apply! We understand that traditional professional experience is not the only way to develop skills; we also welcome relevant educational and volunteer experiences that have equipped you with the skills to do this job.

Required Education & Experience :

• University degree in the fields of Social Sciences, Education, Humanitarian Action or International Development, Humanities, Law or other related field.
• At least three years of experience in project management and coordination (including set-up, mobilization, planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and capitalization)
• Proven experience in Education in Emergency (EiE) and Education projects OR in Protection and PSS interventions.
• Proven experience in conducting logistics, procurement and administrative tasks
• Strong experience in partnership and grants management
• Fluency in Arabic and English
• Driving license

Required Qualities :

• Good representation skills
• Awareness of humanitarian principles
• Interest in digital education and new educational tools, platforms, and technologies is strongly desired.
• Thorough, organized, and reliable.
• Able to work autonomously with a sense of responsibility.
• Capable of adapting, managing priorities, and acting pragmatically in an unstable context, suffering from conflict as well as social and political tensions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to coordinate and collaborate well with external stakeholders.

Recruitment conditions

Status: local fixed-term contract based on Syrian labor law – 1 year, renewable.

Start Date: 01/08/2025

Location: Damascus, Syria

Travel: yes – national

Salary: depending on BSF’s grid and experience

To learn more about BSF: www.bibliosansfrontieres.org

How to apply

Please send your CV + cover letter following the link: https://www.bibliosansfrontieres.org/agir/travailler-chez-bsf/?job=n0m5sticjQrwBb0MjEAk