Project Team Lead

Position: Strategic Communications Team Lead

Location: Syria (with travel within the country depending on access and security)

Contract type: Fixed-term consultancy

Reporting to: MAGENTA Account Manager

Note: This position is contingent upon final funding approval. Contracting is subject to confirmation of project award and scope.

About MAGENTA

MAGENTA is a global leading social and behaviour change (SBC) agency working across the MENA region and conflict-affected contexts to deliver behaviourally informed, evidence-based programming. MAGENTA has a strong operational footprint in Syria and neighbouring countries, with a track record of delivering participatory communication campaigns, strategic narrative design, and capacity building in conflict and post-conflict environments. Our approach combines behavioural insight, communications strategy, and conflict sensitivity to support local actors in achieving tangible and sustainable change.

Role Summary

MAGENTA is seeking a Strategic Communications Team Lead to lead its contribution to our Syria work. This individual will be responsible for designing and delivering conflict-sensitive, locally driven, and behaviourally informed communications strategies that promote social cohesion, accountability, and locally owned narratives supporting transition, justice, and peace in Syria.

The Team Lead will be based in-country, in Syria, and must have extensive professional experience in Syria, ideally within communications, governance, or civil society programming. The role will require regular coordination with fund managers, Syrian implementing partners, and technical advisors to ensure strategic alignment and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Design & Planning

• Lead the design and implementation of MAGENTA’s strategic communications workstream, including developing narrative strategies, message frameworks, and campaign approaches that support justice, accountability, and peacebuilding objectives in Syria.
• Develop and oversee context-sensitive, adaptive communications strategies informed by local needs and political dynamics, especially within justice, accountability, and peacebuilding tracks.

Behavioural Insight & Political Analysis

• Translate political economy, conflict, and behavioural analysis into practical communications approaches and campaigns.
• Ensure all messaging strategies are informed by audience segmentation, trust mapping, and social norms analysis.
• Contribute behavioural insight and narrative expertise to ongoing political and social research conducted under the mechanism.

Technical Oversight

• Design, review, and support implementation of participatory counter- and alternative-narrative campaigns with Syrian partners.
• Maintain quality assurance, ethical safeguards, and alignment with programme branding, strategic communication objectives, and conflict sensitivity standards.
• Guide the development of locally led narratives and communication strategies that support social cohesion, accountability, and transitional justice objectives.
• Provide technical input on message framing, public engagement strategies, and the use of participatory methods for narrative co-creation.
• Support capacity building of Syrian partners in communication planning, storytelling, and ethical content development.
• Ensure that all communications support is grounded in conflict sensitivity, protection principles, and contextual understanding.

Partnership Management & Capacity Building

• Serve as the main point of contact for MAGENTA’s Syrian civil society partners involved in the communications component.
• Provide mentoring, capacity-building workshops, and strategic support to local actors developing their own communication tools.
• Support knowledge transfer and sustainability of communications tools and approaches.

Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate closely with fund managers, technical advisors, and MEL specialists.
• Represent MAGENTA in technical and strategic meetings related to communications outputs.
• Ensure MAGENTA’s contribution aligns with programme indicators, reporting requirements, and donor priorities.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing, behaviour change, or SBC programming in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
• Extensive professional experience in Syria, including demonstrated understanding of conflict dynamics, local actors, and communication ecosystems.
• Proven ability to design and lead participatory communications and counter-narrative campaigns.
• Experience working with Syrian civil society organisations and community actors, particularly in areas related to peacebuilding, justice, or governance.
• Familiarity with donor-funded programming and experience working with fund managers or multi-donor mechanisms preferred.
• Experience in applying behavioural insights and audience segmentation in strategy development is an asset.
• Fluent in Arabic and English; strong written communication skills in both.

Deployment & Location

• The Team Lead must be based in Syria, with permissions to work in Syria, with the ability to engage directly and regularly with Syrian partners and stakeholders.