Access Senior Officer - Damascus

General Description of the Programme:

GOAL has been working in Syria since 2013, responding to the acute needs of conflict-affected communities. GOAL is working in Idleb, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Latakia Governate, and expanding to other governorates both through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming to highly vulnerable populations, Nutrition, ERMS, Shelter, and WASH through support to Water units and working closely with the General Water Directorate and the line ministry (Ministry of Energy).

Job purpose:

The Access Senior Officer is responsible for managing access-related issues in Damascus and southern Syria, including coordination and communication with relevant government parties and official institutions. The role includes attending, organizing, documenting, and systematically archiving related meetings. The Access Senior Officer also provides technical and coordination support to access officers in other areas. In addition, works with the Safety and Access Coordinator to develop access strategies and design plans related to access operations, ensuring their effective implementation.

Duties, objectives, and competencies :

• • Contribute to planning and managing the Access strategic s and communications t with government, community leaders, and key stakeholders.
  • Act as the focal point for access coordination and government liaison, ensuring all engagement is aligned with GOAL SOPs and policies.
  • Establish nurture and manage a cordial relationship between GOAL and the Syrian government, including but not limited to MOFA, MOSAL, , HAC, International Cooperation Offices, Relief Offices, different Ministries, and Governors' offices.
  • In cooperation with the Access Coordinator and other departments, representing GOAL at conferences, meetings, and workshops held by the government and stakeholders at various levels.
  • Provide regular briefings and analytical updates to the Safety and Access Coordinator (SAC), including analysis of humanitarian access, stakeholder positioning, and the implications for program continuity.
  • Develop and submit weekly analysis reports that highlight the strategic challenges and solutions related to humanitarian access.
  • Supervise the development of the stakeholder mapping and maintain the associated database.
  • As a line manager for the Access Officer, manage coaching and provide guidance and support to Access Officer in Idlib and Northeast Syria.
  • Follow up and share the decisions and policies issued by the Syrian government. Analyze, archive, and assess their impact on GOAL activities. Ensure that all No Objection Letters (NOLs), approvals, work permits, and official communications are accurately documented and archived.
  • E Document and track all communications and meetings related to the GOAL project with stakeholders to ensure that SAC and SMT are aligned and informed.
  • Work closely with program to proactively anticipate any access challenges in coordinating with SAC.
  • Engage in access risk analysis in coordination with the Safety and Access Coordinator.
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on changes in the administrative and political context that may affect GOAL activities. Ensuring compliance with GOAL access strategies and policies. 
  • Engage in the design of acceptance, community engagement, and stakeholder communication strategies.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to Safety and Access staff related to access and communications.
  • Provide support on the Safety management whenever required.
  • Any other responsibilities as required by the Safety and Access Coordinator. SAC.

Requirements (essential)

• BA degree. Arabic – Law - business administration – NGOs management- or any related field.
• Work experience in NGOs for 3 years at least.
• Team leader role for a year at least.
• Proven experience in reports writing.
• Work experience in Access negotiation position for 6 months at least.
• Attendance at training related to humanitarian negotiation is an advantage.
• Good spoken and written Arabic.
• Good Written and Spoken English.
• Computer skills – (Word and Excel…)
• Technical skills, including setup, and social media…
• Clear communication skills.
• The ability to record, keep, and pass accurate messages is essential.
• Ability to work under pressure and react to emergencies calmly and logically.
• Sensitivity to gender and diversity issues in work practices.
• Good knowledge for GOAL working areas context.

 

Requirements (desired)

• Living in Damascus.
• Fluent in English Language.

Interested? Then apply for this position via clicking on the "apply now" button and fill out the application form. All applicants must send a Cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The application deadline is 12 January 2026

 

 General terms and conditions Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults a must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

 

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, Code of Conduct, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behavior of a GOAL staff or

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.

Thank you.