Requisition ID: req59502 Job Title: Receptionist Sector: Safety & Security Employment Category: Regular Employment Type: Full-Time Open to Expatriates: No Location: Damascus, Syria Work Arrangement:In-person Job Description Background/Context: The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 700 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery. It plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and adapting to the evolving context. With the new realities under the new government, as of December 2024, the IRC has deployed a team to Damascus to set up operations and engage in coordination structures for newly accessible areas across Syria—including parts of NES, NWS, and other previously unreachable locations in South and Central Syria, adjusting operations to maximize coverage and efficiency. Job overview: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a receptionist to support its Damascus office. The Receptionist will play a central role in maintaining a safe, organized, and welcoming environment. Responsibilities include managing entry points, receiving and directing visitors, and maintaining regular coordination with internal teams to ensure smooth and secure office operations. The position combines administrative and safety-related duties, requiring strong communication skills, professionalism, discipline, and an understanding of the cultural and humanitarian context in which the IRC operates. Responsibilities: + Receive and welcome visitors in a respectful and professional manner and maintain accurate visitor records. + Guide visitors to the designated rooms or relevant staff members. + Monitor and secure all office entrances and exits, ensuring all doors and windows are properly locked at the end of each working day in line with safety procedures. + Conduct regular scheduled or random patrols inside the office and within its surrounding area to ensure overall safety and security. + Maintain the security of the office premises, staff, visitors, and equipment by adhering to safety protocols and properly using emergency and safety tools. + Promptly report any unusual activities or incidents—such as damage, theft, or unauthorized access—to the direct supervisor in accordance with IRC’s incident reporting procedures. + Maintain regular communication with the direct supervisor, as the Receptionist will serve as the safety and security focal point in the designated office. + Comply with IRC’s Protection Policies, including safeguarding and reporting procedures. + Perform any additional duties assigned by the supervisor that support or enhance IRC programs, including tasks related to safety and security as part of the receptionist’s core role. Qualifications Education: + Minimum: Secondary School Certificate. Work Experience: + At least one year’s experience as a receptionist, front desk, or administrative roles, in NGO INGOs, is preferred. + At least 1 year in security related roles. Technical / Administrative Skills + Basic computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, and email communication (Asset as per CV) + Experience managing visitor registration systems (manual or electronic). + Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during emergencies (fire, evacuation, medical event, security incident). + High emotional intelligence and ability to de-escalate tense situations. + Good command of English language as per CV. Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: + A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. + Respectful and culturally sensitive behavior, especially in diverse, gender-sensitive environments. + Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development. + Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution. + Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. + Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. + Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. + Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must. + Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies. Language/Travel: + Arabic: Required + English: A strong asset + Live in Damascus + Travel: NA Key Working Relationships: + Position Reports to: Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator + Key Internal Contacts:Admin team, Logistics team + Key External Contacts:IRC beneficiaries, visitors, and relevant stakeholders Professional Standards:IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Returning National Candidates:We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs. Accountability to Clients:IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.