Country Representative and Senior Project Leader

ARCS – Arci Culture Solidali is seeking a Country Representative and Senior Project Leader to join its operations in Jordan.

Position: Country Representative and Expatriate Project Leader

Duty Station: Amman (Jordan), with frequent travel to other areas of the country

Contract type: Co.co.co – continuous and coordinated collaboration contract

Duration: 12 months, with the possibility of renewal
Expected start date: February 2026

Contact: Middle East Desk (HQ)
Application deadline: December 31, 2025

The Project

The proposed project, “Sustainable Jerash: Enhancing Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Tourism,” builds on the experience and expertise of the involved partners and adopts an integrated approach aimed at:

• enhancing the entire Jerash area (Jordan) as a tourist destination;
• improving the management and accessibility of cultural and tourism heritage for people with different types of disabilities;
• creating employment and development opportunities for the local community through an inclusive and sustainable development approach.

Responsibilities

1. Project Management

The Country Representative and Project Leader will:

• ensure the coordination, implementation, management, and supervision of project activities, in compliance with the planned timeline, methodologies, and budget;
• oversee the technical, administrative, and financial management of the project in accordance with the procedures of the Funding Agency (RBM – AICS);
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with operational and institutional partners involved in project implementation;
• select, recruit, train, and supervise local staff;
• define and monitor project indicators, ensuring effective data collection and analysis in coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Expert (M&E Officer);
• manage the project budget in coordination with the Administrator, ensuring that all expenditures comply with the approved financial plan and project objectives, including financial planning and forecasting;
• prepare narrative and financial reports and other required documentation within the agreed timelines and modalities, as requested by the funding body (AICS), as well as periodic reports for ARCS headquarters;
• ensure the dissemination of project results and manage institutional relations with local authorities and international cooperation stakeholders, with particular reference to AICS, local authorities, coordination mechanisms under the JRP, and relevant Coordination Working Groups.

2. Country Representative Functions:

• Programme coordination: supervise the technical and administrative management of all ongoing projects in the country, in coordination with the Italy Desk and the Area Administrative Manager, ensuring the proper development of decision-making processes; draw up the country’s operational and financial programming and ensure its proper implementation in accordance with internal procedures.
• Representation and management of institutional relationships: develop and manage existing relationships with relevant institutions, partners, donors, and stakeholders in the country; officially represent ARCS before national and international stakeholders in the country and within coordination networks; contribute to internal and external communications on ongoing activities in collaboration with the communications office of the Italy office.
• Country Strategy and Design: in close coordination with the Italy office, contribute to the development of a country development strategy by mapping relevant donors and partners, monitoring calls for proposals, and drafting new project proposals.
• Office and staff management (expatriate and local): supervise and coordinate staff performance, ensuring a positive and participatory working environment and effective communication; select, hire, and support the capacity-building of local staff; draft the ToRs of local staff; assume overall responsibility for office management, according to criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency.

Required requirements

• Degree in international cooperation, political science, social sciences, humanities, or similar, or professional experience at an equivalent level;
• Proven experience (at least 4 years) in coordination roles and in the technical and financial management of international cooperation and emergency projects;
• Proven experience in the role of Project Manager and/or Country Representative in projects funded by institutional donors (AICS, European Union, OCHA, etc.);
• Excellent knowledge of issues related to the socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable groups and of international actors operating in the sector;
• Experience in planning and managing budgets and operational plans;
• Excellent leadership skills, teamwork skills, and strong relationship skills with partners, beneficiaries, donors, and local institutions;
• Flexibility, resourcefulness, autonomy, and strategic vision;
• Excellent knowledge of the English and Italian languages (spoken and written);
• Proven knowledge of Project Cycle Management;
• Excellent computer skills;
• Sharing the mission and values of ARCS, and adherence to the code of ethics and industry policy guidelines.

Preferential requirements

• Experience working in Middle Eastern countries;
• Previous experience in the cultural heritage sector;
• At least basic knowledge of the Arabic language;
• Experience managing expatriate and local staff and volunteers;
• Interest in the cultural dynamics of the area and strong analytical skills.