Office/Unit/Project Description
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to crises and disasters. Working with our vast network of experts and partners in over 170 countries, we help nations to create integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet.
UNDP Syria operates in a highly complex and challenging environment, shaped by over a decade of conflict, widespread displacement, economic instability, and recurrent natural disasters. The Syria Country Programme focuses on three critical areas: 1) Promoting socio-economic recovery and social cohesion; 2) Strengthening local governance and basic social services; and 3) Supporting climate change adaptation and natural resource management. The programme emphasizes an area-based approach to tailor interventions to the specific needs of local communities and supports the vision of sustainable peace and recovery for all Syrians.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026 are fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. They prioritize resilience-building efforts while addressing the pressing humanitarian-development nexus. UNDP Syria aims to bridge immediate recovery needs with long-term development goals, focusing on inclusive governance, equitable access to basic services, sustainable livelihoods, and climate action.
In Syria, UNDP has adopted a highly principled approach to the delivery of its mandate in providing critical support to crisis-affected communities. Acknowledging the sensitivities of the operational context, UNDP’s activities in Syria are further informed by bespoke measures to mainstream a do-no-harm approach based on a thorough context analysis, to ensure effective safeguarding measures are applied across all areas of operation in response to the multifaced challenges of the Syrian context in terms of economic development, social protection, service delivery, local governance, as well as climate change. In this regard, UNDP Syria is looking for a Technical Officer who can support UNDP’s immediate interventions on Basic Services Delivery and Infrastructure Rehabilitation.
1. Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective activity planning, implementation and monitoring
- Act as a technical and project lead for the Basic Services & Infrastructure Rehabilitation project activities in the field office including, but not limited to, rehabilitation of schools, municipality buildings, social buildings, health facilities, water and sewage networks, roads as well as debris removal and recycling.
- Collect and analyze relevant technical information, data and/or statistics to support the identification of basic services priorities as well as delivery of project outcomes/outputs.
- Develop project documents and concept notes related to Basic Services & Infrastructure Rehabilitation using collected and analyzed data.
- Lead the preparation of BoQs and technical specifications for basic infrastructure projects in line with UNDP’s standards.
- Monitor progress of activities and report challenges and concerns in a timely manner.
- Oversee project finance, accounting, and other administrative works related to Basic Services & Infrastructure Rehabilitation activities.
- Follow up on procurement needs, ensuring value for money, transparency, and competition as per UNDP rules and regulations, including preparing or clearing terms of references and technical specifications.
- Contribute to and coordinate implementation of all basic service delivery-gender related work.
- Manage risks at the local level and inform Area Manager about any issues that would impede implementation.
- Ensure all project documentation (progress reports, consultations, lessons learns and other technical reports, minutes of meetings, etc.) are properly maintained in hard and electronic copies in an efficient and readily accessible filing system.
- Proactively engage with UNDP-led Early Recovery Sector in terms of needs assessments, joint programming, monitoring and evaluation and meetings.
- Actively liaise with local authorities, NGOs, community groups, cooperatives, civil society organizations, and local technical government entities to support project implementation.
- Coordinate with area office technical officers working on other projects to ensure integration and comprehensiveness in planning and implementation of activities.
- Identify funding opportunities and support the Area Manager with programme resource mobilization efforts with donor partners, including the development of advocacy/communication tools in support of resource mobilization.
- Implement the required activities under the direction of Area Manager in line with the area office strategy, Country Office Strategy and CPD.
2. Strategic partnerships and coordination with key stakeholders
- Map, identify, and prioritize potential partners, engaging in discussions and negotiations with stakeholders such as government bodies, local authorities, private sector entities, microfinance institutions (MFIs), associations, NGOs, and community-based organizations (CBOs).
- Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
- Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
- Support the Area Manager in key operational procedures, including drafting grant and partnership agreements, processing payment requests, and handling other essential operational tasks.
3. Facilitate knowledge building and management
- Provide technical advice and facilitate capacity-building activities for partners and team members to foster discussions at the governorate level and enhance coordination among stakeholders.
- Assist the communications team in identifying success stories and creating communication materials, including human interest stories, audio-visual content, and key messages that reflect on-ground implementation progress.
- Promote knowledge sharing among UNDP personnel and field project teams to ensure effective dissemination of experiences and insights.
- Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications personnel.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Area Coordinator and technical guidance of the relevant Programme Manager(s) for Basic Services & Infrastructure Rehabilitation
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| | LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline |
| | LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements |
| | LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback |
| | LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible |
| | LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident |
| | LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships |
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies | | | | Business Direction & Strategy | | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system | | | | Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. | | | | Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. | | | | Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ‡Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels | | | | Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies | | | | Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets | Adminstration & Operations | Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings) | Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc. | |
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Education requirements | - Advanced University Degree (Master’s degreeor equivalent) in Civil Engineering ,Architectural Engineering , Mechanical Engineering or IT Engineering is required. Or
- A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the fields mentioned above with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
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Min. years of relevant work experience | Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in civil engineering, architectural engineering or relevant related field. |
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section | - Experience in the design, supervision and implementation of projects is asset.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems is asset.
- Experience in community and stakeholder engagement -especially women- will be an asset.
- Experience in the preparation of donors´ or other technical and financial reports will be an asset.
- At least six years of experience and knowledge of project management processes is desirable.
- Experience and knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools is desirable.
- Experience with the UN system / INGO’s / NGO’s will be an asset.
- Good knowledge of the duty station is desirable
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| | Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required. |
Professional Certificates | |
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
