Deputy Program Director, MENA (Hybrid)

Job Description

Purpose of the role:

Reporting to the Program Director, the role provides an exciting opportunity to help shape Crisis Group’s work across the MENA region. This involves assisting the Program Director in its advocacy both in and outside the region, as well as helping design and deliver the Program’s publications and other work aimed at mitigating, preventing and resolving deadly conflict. The Deputy will work closely with the Program Director on all aspects of the Program’s work, notably providing support for its team of experts in their research, analysis, development of policy ideas and advocacy activities. They will support the Program in developing and maintaining a network of contacts with conflict parties, conflict resolution actors and other stakeholders in the region, and promote Crisis Group policy recommendations with them as well as in the media and further afield when appropriate. The Deputy may also undertake research and draft stand-alone written work as required. We have a strong preference for our new colleague to be based in the MENA region. The exact location can be agreed upon.

Specific responsibilities:

• Support the Director in their supervisory responsibilities including mentoring, motivating and supporting Program staff;
• Assist with the corporate governance of the Program including leading in the drafting of the Program’s annual work-plan, annual reports and other corporate publications;
• Work with field-based experts, in consultation with Program Director, to ensure Crisis Group standards in terms of policy coherence and consistency, persuasiveness in policy recommendations, and quality in English;
• Develop and maintain a contacts database for the Program of conflict actors and other stakeholders in the region;
• Contribute to advocacy of Program publications by networking with contacts in the region as well as in the media and further afield where appropriate;
• Support fundraising efforts with targeted government and other donors, with the assistance of the Development team;
• Assist the Program Director in their administrative and governance responsibilities;
• Assume the responsibilities of the Director when necessary;
• Undertake research and draft stand-alone written work as required;
• Undertake other Program management, support, and advocacy tasks as required.

Requirements:

• Post-graduate qualification in international relations, political science, social sciences, journalism, or equivalent through experience;
• 10 or more years of professional experience working in the field of conflict research, analysis and prevention - in government, academia, international organisations, non-governmental organisations or the media;
• High quality editing skills and a track record of editing experience in English; proficiency in Arabic required.
• Extensive knowledge of the region’s security and public policy issues, and experience of living and working in the region;
• A network of governmental and non-governmental, official, media and civil society contacts in the region;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including public presentation skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills, and proven experience of formulating persuasive policy recommendations;
• Experience in a supervisory role including staff management, and overseeing budgetary and administrative matters;
• Experience of working successfully within a team as well as the ability to work independently in a fast-paced and often demanding environment.

If interested, please submit your application by 29 March 2026.