Position name: Finance HR Coordinator
Duration: 12 months renewable
Starting from: ASAP
Duty Station: Syria, Damascus, Aleppo, Amuda
Closing date of the vacancy: 13/09/2026
Monthly gross salary: 2.900-3.200

Context Presentation:

Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an Italian NGO established in 1991. It started its activities as “Un ponte per Baghdad”, in the aftermath of the first Gulf war, with the aim of organizing solidarity initiatives in support of the Iraqi civilian population. In subsequent years, UPP missions expanded to include Serbia and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. The NGO aims at preventing armed conflicts, protecting human rights and supporting local civil society, especially in the Middle East, by promoting the nexus between its humanitarian, peacebuilding and development programs. 

Since 2015, UPP has been one of the leading INGOs in the North East Syria (NES) response. Providing humanitarian aid and capacity building of local actors in Health and Protection as well as environmental health, including waste management. In partnership with local partners, UPP has been able to develop a comprehensive system of health services delivered in 26 facilities, including mobile units, hospitals, primary health care centres, and an ambulance network. For further information please refer to our website: www.unponteper.it/en/

Tasks 

Finance and administration 

• Definition of the financial strategy for the mission together with the Head of Mission/Country Representative and in collaboration with the technical referent at HQ 
• Coordinate and supervise general cash and accounts of the mission 
• Ensure and enforce compliance with the organization Anti-Fraud, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Corruption policies and local financial laws and provisions 
• Ensure proper implementation and respect of organization policies and guidelines, design or adapt relevant local policies, procedures and tools for optimized management of the mission financial resources     
• Support HQ Administration department in preparing country’s yearly financial forecast of mission (staff, running, shared and indirect costs) and annual budget   
• Support Head of mission/Country Representative in elaborating and consolidating the annual accounting of the mission and the report to the relevant authorities and donors 
• Support external and internal audits
• Oversee banking relationships and signatory responsibilities delegated 
• Monitor the overall financial management of the mission 
• Is responsible for coordinating and ensuring effective treasury management for the smooth running of operations, while maintaining appropriate controls to mitigate security risks. Identify and promptly flag financial shortfalls or overspending in the mission's financial management and propose corrective measures.
• Ensure compliance with general accounting and project financial management principles, as well as with UPP's anti-fraud, anti-corruption and anti-terrorism policies and procedures.
• Provide training, orientation and tutoring for finance and logistics staff and partners where necessary and/or requested 
• Assess and mitigate the financial risks on the mission, ensure that reliable internal control systems are in place, and financial ethics is respected  
• Check that the administrative procedures related to taxes and payment of social security obligations are followed, and comply with established legal procedures in the country   
• Monitor the payment of suppliers and staff salaries 

HR management  

• Together with the Senior Management Team (SMT) and the field managers, plan HR operational and budget needs, in order to efficiently ensure the required sizing and capabilities of the mission 
• Support the coordination team and managers in the recruitment processes, ensuring a coherent management of administrative and legal procedures (recruitment, end of contract, payment of national and local taxes, proper upkeep of personnel files, management of extra hours and leaves, etc.), all across the mission in order to meet resources needs 
• Support the Senior Management Team (SMT) and the field managers in detecting training needs according to operational requirements, in evaluating people’s performance and in implementing the associated action plans to improve people capabilities 
• Is responsible for training and coaching all HR staff in the mission on the key Human Resources pillars, policies, procedures, and practices, as well as raising awareness among key management staff, including coordinators, on HR responsibilities, risks, and good practices
• Define and coordinate the local implementation, in accordance to UPP practices and local regulations, of a fair rewarding policy in order to ensure internal equity 
• Coordinate the implementation of local HR administrative protocols and procedures, ensuring compliance with UPP policies and applicable legislation; monitor and mitigate related legal, compliance and operational risks, provide regular information and briefings to personnel, coordinators and managers, supervise expatriate administrative processes, and support management in addressing staff conflicts.
• Ensure the effective implementation of UPP's HR strategy and standards across the mission, adapting them where necessary to the local context and applicable legislation.
• Provide support and guidance to line management in handling staff (expat or national staff) conflicts  
• Coordinate and oversee the preparation of the monthly payroll, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable local legislation on salaries, taxation and social security contributions.

REQUIREMENTS

• Essential degree in Economics/Finances/HR management, Psychology, International Relations, Political Science. Master in HR Management desirable 
• Essential 3 years’ experience in Finance and HR Management with at least 2 in HR managerial positions in humanitarian contexts with NGOs 
• Excellent oral and written English essential 
• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet) 
• Experience of financial reporting and grant management with a range of external donors using Excel and administrative software 
• Financial management skills and knowledge of finance systems and procedures   
• Strategic vision 
• Leadership 
• Team building and cooperation 
• People management 
• Ability to work in multicultural environment  
• Non-discriminatory attitude 
• Active listening and empathy 
• Behavioural flexibility and stress management 
• Planning 
• Desirable experience in main donors funded project (EU, UN, USAID, AICS, CDCS etc.)
• Desirable knowledge of the Middle East context and relevant local actors
• Desirable knowledge of Arabic or Italian
• Ability to travel in Middle East and in Europe

UPP requires criminal background check certificate (released max 3 months before the date of job offer) to confirm a job offer. We are aware that in some countries the release of criminal background certificate by the competent authorities might require several weeks. However, UPP runs selections to deploy staff in emergency programs and time-lapse between job offer and field deployment is often very short. Thus, we kindly ask all candidates to get prepared on time and be able to submit their certificate promptly in case of success in the selection.

Un Ponte Per is an International NGO committed to diversity and inclusion within its teams, in line with the principle of non-discrimination. UPP encourages all candidates irrespective of gender, religion and ethnicity including persons with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization.

HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates are invited to submit a detailed CV (PDF format) with the authorization to use and process data on the base of the EU Regulation 2016/679 - GDPR and a brief cover letter (PDF format) that includes the contact information for three Professional References (relevant and recent) to: vacancy@unponteper.it. Please reference “Finance HR Coordinator Syria- Name Surname” in the subject line of your email application and name the files attached to your application as surname_name_CV, surname_name_CL, etc.

Be informed that UPP screens prospective colleagues through anti-terrorism/anti-money-laundering/anti-corruption/anti-fraud sanctions lists before job offer. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Position Name: Finance and Administration Desk
Duration:  12 months
Starting from: October 2026
Duty Station: HQ - Rome - with regular field visits
Gross Salary Range: 2.000-2.300 euro
Closing date of the vacancy: 23^st August 2026 (applications on a rolling basis)

Context Presentation:

Un Ponte Per ETS (UPP) is an international humanitarian organization, with Headquarters in Italy. Originally named Un Ponte Per Baghdad (A Bridge to Baghdad), the association became Un Ponte Per after the extension of its work to other Mediterranean countries. UPP ETS is currently active in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Serbia, Kosovo, Tunisia, and Ukraine alongside civil society organizations, with a strong localization approach. UPP strongly rejects war as a solution to international and national conflicts. It exerts relentless efforts with the ultimate objective of preventing armed conflicts and developing more equal and peaceful coexistence. The NGO acts through awareness campaigns, cultural exchanges, humanitarian and development projects, peacebuilding programs, and the creation of social justice networks. In Italy and in Europe, UPP works to promote peace and disarmament, human rights, refugees and migrants’ inclusion, and ecological transition. In Jordan, it has been active since 2005 with a strong focus on the protection of women and girls, refugees, and people with disabilities (PWDs). For further information, please refer to our website: www.unponteper.it/en/

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Administrative Desk works under the supervision of the Programme Finance, Logistics and Compliance Manager and is responsible for managing the administrative and financial management cycle of the organisation’s national and international projects portfolio, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, EU regulations, national legislation, and internal procedures.The function ensures, in coordination with the Programme Finance, Logistics and Compliance Manager and with local administrative structures, the continuous monitoring of project financial performance, budget implementation, expenditure trends, and operational progress of the assigned portfolio.The administrative desk supports the correct financial and administrative implementation of projects, ensuring the preparation of project budgets, monitoring of financial performance, compliance with donor procedures, preparation of financial reporting, verification of accounting documentation, and management of administrative processes throughout the project lifecycle.The function contributes to ensuring sound and efficient financial management of projects, preventing ineligible expenditures, financial risks, budget deviations, and potential financial decommitment.The role also contributes to strengthening organisational systems and procedures, in coordination with the Programmes area, supporting the development and implementation of the organisation’s project management strategy.

Activities and responsibilities

According to the work plan agreed with the Programme Finance, Logistics and Compliance Manager, and in collaboration with Programme & Grant Managers, Project Managers, project administrators, country offices, and other relevant Programme stakeholders, the Administrative Desk  contributes to the overall management of the assigned portfolio, including projects funded by institutional donors, non-institutional donors, and own funds.

Specifically, the function:

• Analyses donor administrative and financial procedures and supports the preparation of project budgets and expenditure plans in collaboration with Programme & Grant Managers, Project Managers, and project administrators;
• Supports the preparation of the administrative and financial documentation required for the formal start-up of projects;
• Monitors and controls project financial performance through budget indicators, expenditure analysis, forecasts, and variance monitoring;
• Identifies financial and administrative risks, including potential ineligible expenditures or budget deviations, and promptly reports them to the relevant Programme & Grant Manager and to the Programme Finance, Logistics and Compliance Manager;
• Verifies the financial documentation produced by project partners, project teams, and country offices, including through field missions and on-site visits when required;
• Ensures that project accounting records, financial reports, and supporting documentation comply with donor requirements, approved formats, and internal procedures;
• Prepares and supports the submission of interim and final financial reports, payment claims, and other donor financial documentation;
• Supports the management of budget modifications and administrative amendments in close collaboration with Programme & Grant Managers, Project Managers, and project administrators;
• Ensures that project financial and administrative documentation is properly archived according to donor and organisational procedures;
• Conducts periodic reconciliations and verification of portfolio reporting data, identifying deviations and supporting corrective actions;
• Provides technical support to project partners and country teams regarding financial rules, eligibility of expenditure, reporting requirements, and administrative procedures;
• Supports the development and implementation of project financial procedures and contributes to the preparation of project financial guidelines shared with project partners;
• Ensures that financial rules and donor requirements are understood by project staff and partners and organises, under the supervision of the Programme Finance, Logistics and Compliance Manager, relevant training sessions on financial and administrative procedures;
• Supports the organisation of capacity-building sessions at project start-up and during project coordination meetings to prevent financial and administrative issues during implementation;
• Supervises the functioning of administrative structures in project countries and monitors the correct implementation of key administrative, financial, compliance, and control processes;
• Provides functional supervision and guidance to project administrators and supports Project Managers in defining operational priorities, deadlines, and administrative requirements related to project implementation;
• Coordinates with relevant internal functions on compliance and procurement issues;
• Supports audits, financial controls, and verification processes by ensuring availability and consistency of all required documentation.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Degree in Economics or related fields
• At least 5 years of experience in financial and administrative management in similar contexts
• Excellent knowledge of regulations from major international donors (AICS, USAID, ECHO, EU, etc.)
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Proven ability to manage complex and multicultural teams
• Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of financial software
• Strong ability to work in multicultural teams and under pressure
• Availability to travel to countries where Un Ponte Per operates
• Fluency in English and Italian (written and spoken)
• Knowledge of NPS is considered an asset

UPP requires criminal background check certificate (released max 3 months before the date of job offer) to confirm a job offer. We are aware that in some countries the release of criminal background certificate by the competent authorities might require several weeks. However, UPP runs selections to deploy staff in emergency programs and time-lapse between job offer and field deployment is often very short. Thus, we kindly ask all candidates to get prepared on time and be able to submit their certificate promptly in case of success in the selection.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Un Ponte Per is an International NGO committed to diversity and inclusion within its teams, in line with the principle of non-discrimination. UPP encourages all candidates irrespective of gender, religion and ethnicity, including persons with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization.