Food System Strengthening (FSS) Lead, Türkiye, Syria and Lebanon*

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of one year. There are very good prospects for an extension. Employment location will be Damascus, Syria.

The Food System Strengthening Lead will manage WHH’s country food systems portfolio and provide strategic and operational support to country priorities in Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon.

Food systems transformation is a core strategic pillar for WHH, aiming to build sustainable and resilient systems that deliver safe and healthy diets for all on a healthy planet.

In this role, you will ensure technical excellence in interventions promoting nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, and economic opportunities. You will lead proposal development, provide guidance and support to country teams and partners, conduct assessments, build staff capacity, and facilitate cross-country learning in collaboration with WHH’s global advisor.

Your responsibilities

• Lead WHH’s food system strengthening portfolio and regional team across Türkiye, Syria, and Lebanon, ensuring programs are strategically aligned and implemented according to WHH and donor standards.
• Design, develop, and oversee food system program and project proposals, providing technical guidance and support to country teams and partners.
• Support country offices and partners in strategy development, needs assessments, and program planning, coordinating with clusters, networks, and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with local organizations, NGOs, civil society, government, and private sector to enhance inclusive programming, food system interventions, cash assistance, and policy/advocacy initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze trends in food and nutrition security, climate change, and poverty; lead assessments, market analyses, and data-driven planning.
• Facilitate workshops and advisory sessions to build capacity, guide transformative food system approaches, and operationalize tools and frameworks.
• Provide ongoing technical support, including project development, implementation, monitoring, adaptive management, and guidance on MEAL indicators for transformative change.
• Represent WHH’s work in regional networks, communities of practice, and peer exchanges, while regularly assessing team capacities and support needs.

Your profile

• A University or College master’s degree in food security, agricultural or development economics, rural development, nutrition or another field related to the position
• Relevant work experience both in the area of foods systems and nutrition (e.g. market system development/food system analysis), preferably in the Middle East.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the field
• Independent working style and proactive engagement with programming teams and other stakeholders
• Good planning and priority setting, also when deadlines are tight
• Excellent communication and methodological skills for training and capacity building
• You recognize the growing value of data in your field and are eager to build your awareness and skills to incorporate data-informed approaches into your work.
• Readiness to receive necessary vaccinations for working in Welthungerhilfe's program countries
• Excellent English skills both written and spoken, as well as Arabic.

What we offer

• Fair Compensation: A fair and equal remuneration based on a transparent salary scale.
• Commitment to Well-Being: We attach great importance to our duty of care with a focus on safety, security & health.
• Modern & Agile Work Environment: Be part of a forward thinking organization that fully embraces digitalization and innovation across all areas.
• Personal & Professional Growth: Access diverse learning and development opportunities to advance your career.
• Team: Join our dedicated and diverse teams, where passion, expertise, and joy come together to create a better world.

In addition, Welthungerhilfe offers numerous other benefits, which you can find under Our benefits.

Please send your application via our online recruiting system by September 14, 2025. Your contact person is Reda Bendahmane. Welthungerhilfe is committed to fighting terrorism in all its activities. Accordingly, any applicant who is offered employment will be screened against lists of known and suspected terrorists.

Welthungerhilfe values diversity and ensures an inclusive, non-discriminatory working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community.