Position Title: Senior Finance & Admin Officer – Syria

Reports to: Finance Manager, Jordan, Syria and Iraq 

Duty Station: Damascus, Syria

Salary: According to LWF's salary scale and terms and conditions. 

Duration of assignment:  1 December 2026  - 31 August 2027. 

About LWF

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to unite people of all backgrounds in the quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.
A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work and our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centered and community-based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures. www.lutheranworld.org/WorldService.
LWF has been actively operating in Syria since 2019 mainly supporting refugees. Since then, LWF activities have been focused on marginalized communities by strengthening their resilience, Health, social cohesion, and fostering sustainable livelihoods. We provide protection and humanitarian services across various sectors, including Individual Counseling, Group Therapy, Community-Based Activities, Awareness Raising, Child and Youth Programs, and Capacity Building.
We offer our services to all people, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religion, race, or political affiliations.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Finance Manager, Jordan, Syria and Iraq, the Senior Finance & Admin Officer – Syria leads the day-to-day finance function of the LWF Syria program and the administration of the Syria office. Based in Damascus, the position is accountable for the quality and timeliness of finance work in Syria and ensures that LWF finance standards, internal controls and reporting deadlines are consistently applied. The role covers financial processing and reporting, budget monitoring, review of partner budgets and financial reports, financial verifications, and the training and capacity-building of partners on LWF finance policies and donor requirements. On the administration side, the position manages office administration, staff personnel files and the administrative and housing arrangements of international staff in Syria, working closely with the HR function. This role requires a well-rounded individual with strong finance experience, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with partners. Procurement and fleet management (managed by the Procurement department), HR processes such as recruitment and staff relations, and government liaison fall outside the scope of this position.

Finance Responsibilities
•    Ensure timely and accurate processing of financial transactions for the Syria program in compliance with LWF policies and donor requirements.
•    Assist with monthly financial reports, financial records documentation, and audits.
•    Assist the Finance Manager in preparation of monthly and other financial reports due to LWF Geneva and donors and update of report templates.
•    Monitor cash flow, budgets, and expenses; assist in budget preparation and reporting.
•    Review partner budgets at proposal and sub-grant stage for accuracy, cost eligibility, reasonableness and alignment with donor rules and LWF policies, and provide feedback to partners and program staff.
•    Review partner budget revisions and monitor partner budget-versus-actual spending, flagging under- or over-spending and agreeing corrective actions with partners.
•    Conduct financial verifications, reviews, and audits of partner reports.
•    Plan and deliver regular financial training and capacity-building for partners in Syria on LWF finance policies, donor requirements, budgeting and financial reporting, and follow up on capacity gaps identified during reviews and monitoring visits.
•    Prepare reconciliations, financial statements, and donor reports.
•    Review partner expenditure forecasts, cash requests, and financial reports.
•    Liaise with the Finance Manager on sub-award reconciliations and payment requests.
•    Verify expense vouchers and ensure all are properly documented and approved.
•    Reconcile cash and bank statements, ensure bank balance monitoring, and report cash flow status.
•    Manage petty cash and staff advances in line with LWF policies, including regular cash counts and timely settlement of advances.
•    Process the monthly payroll for the Syria office based on HR-approved inputs, including calculations for taxes, allowances, and benefits.
•    Maintain accurate JV entries in SAGE.
•    Supervise the electronic and physical filing system for finance documents.
•    Verify accrued expenses and intercompany accounts; reconcile staff cash advances.
•    Ensure accounting records are entered into SAGE daily.
•    Conduct field visits in Syria for financial monitoring and compliance assessments of LWF and partner operations.
•    Support external and internal audits, monthly BVAs review, and other reporting requirements.
•    Provide backup for the Finance Manager in his/her absence.
•    Assist in pre-award assessments, sub-grant reviews, and financial compliance for partner organizations.
•    Develop and update partner finance training materials, guidance notes and budget and reporting templates, and provide on-the-job coaching to partner finance staff.
•    Carry out other finance-related tasks as requested by the Finance Manager.

Admin Responsibilities
•    Maintain and update personnel files for Syria office staff (contracts, social security, insurance and other employment documents), ensuring they are complete, confidential and audit-ready, in coordination with HR.
•    Oversee office administration, including facility operations, office premises and utilities, accommodation arrangements for visiting staff, and office supplies, in compliance with LWF policies.
•    Ensure proper use and maintenance of all ICT equipment, including a follow-up on regular servicing of all ICT equipment.
•    Coordinate staff travel arrangements, including bookings, travel authorizations and related logistics, in line with LWF policies.
•    Ensure office lease and service agreements are valid, renewed on time and properly filed.
•    Manage the administrative and housing affairs of international staff in Syria, including identifying and arranging accommodation, housing lease agreements, utilities and maintenance, and practical in-country arrangements on arrival and during assignment.
•    Compile and track the documents required for visa and residency applications of international staff and visitors, and share them on time with the colleague responsible for government liaison.

Professional Standards
The LWF and LWF workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the Code of Conduct as well as the Core Humanitarian Standard and relevant LWF policies such as Protection from Sexual Abuse, Exploitation and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and Gender Justice Policy. The staff member must conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to the LWF and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Work Experience
•    BA in Finance/accounting or equivalent subject.
•    At least 8 years of work experience in Finance and Accounting, of which 5 years with an INGO or LNGO in Syria or supporting Syria operations.
•    Proven experience reviewing partner budgets and financial reports, and delivering finance training to partner organizations.
•    Familiarity with administrative tasks, including office administration, personnel files and payroll, in challenging contexts.
•    High level of proficiency in written and spoken English.
•    Familiarity with financial software (SAGE or any other financial systems.)  
•    Proficiency in understanding of cash management, budget tracking, and compliance.
•    Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook  
•    Competent with administrative tasks.

Skills
•    Good Communication & Interpersonal skills.
•    Good culture awareness & Sensitivity. 
•    Proven ability to work independently and to meet tight deadlines.
•    Service oriented; actively looking for ways to help people.
•    Respect for confidentiality and reliability to keep information safe when needed.
•    Strong Organizational & Positive work attitude and team player.
•    Confidence, strong personality & sound professional judgment.
Important Considerations
•    This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in the Syrian Arab Republic. Please note that we are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position.
•    LWF is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staff diversity and therefore all candidates who meet the job requirement are encouraged to apply.
•    This position is upon fund approval.
•    Strong ability to multi-task effectively.
•    Coping with Change.