Mission and objectives

UNFPA operates in Syria under the umbrella of the 8th Country Programme Document (2016-2017) extended to 2019 and the Humanitarian Response Plan. The overall aim of the country office is to contribute to three long-term strategic goals of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero GBV and harmful practices in Syria. To achieve these goals, UNFPA invests in the capacity of the health and social systems and NGOs to provide reproductive, maternal health and GBV services and expand the partnership with local communities and academia. In the absence of UN Women, UNFPA works to enhance women’s empowerment and gender equality reduce childe marriage and advocate for youth education, inclusiveness and civic participation especially in the light of the SCR 2250 on Youth, peace, and security. UNFPA leads the GBV Sub-sector coordination in Syria as part of the Protection Sector and actively contributes to the work of Health Sector. The key types of UNFPA programmatic services include; static and mobile RH and GBV clinics, Women and Girls Safe Spaces, family protection units, as well as Community Centres with integrated services. Furthermore, UNFPA supplies various types of dignity kits for female and male beneficiaries, several types of reproductive health kits for clinics, and hygiene products for women and girls. UNFPA Country Office is increasing the efforts to contribute to the resilience pillar of HRP, focusing on rehabilitation of basic social infrastructure such as health clinics and community centres, restoration and expansion of quality services with a social inclusion and social cohesion objectives. UNFPA closely cooperates with all UN Agencies present in Syria.

Context

UNFPA Syria Country Office has assumed full responsibility for programme oversight, coordination, and donor visibility for all of Syria following the closure of the Whole of Syria (WoS) Hub and Gaziantep Office. Since December 2024, the humanitarian context in Syria has undergone significant changes, marked by increased needs among returnees, newly displaced populations, and already overstretched host communities. Continued hostilities, localized insecurity, and economic decline have further exacerbated vulnerabilities, particularly for women and girls. Protection risks, including gender-based violence (GBV), have escalated, driven by displacement, breakdown of social structures, and limited access to essential services. Survivors face multiple barriers in accessing safe, confidential, and quality GBV response services. At the same time, prevention programming remains under-resourced, and community awareness of GBV risks and available services is limited in many areas. Aleppo, Idlib, and surrounding governorates host a high concentration of vulnerable populations, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened GBV programming and field-level technical support. In light of the expanded programme portfolio of UNFPA’s Aleppo Sub-office and the increasing operational demands across its area of responsibility (AoR), there is a critical need for an additional UN Volunteer to support programme implementation. This role will contribute to strengthening GBV prevention and response interventions, supporting implementing partners, and enhancing the quality and reach of services in a complex and high-demand operational environment. Current capacity is insufficient to ensure consistent field presence, partner support, and effective monitoring across the wide geographic coverage of the office’s AoR. The presence of a UN Volunteer will enable more regular field monitoring, timely technical and programmatic support to partners, and improved responsiveness to emerging protection risks. The role will also support coordination with GBV sub-cluster actors, local authorities, and community-based organizations to enhance referral pathways, promote survivor-centered approaches, and ensure integration of GBV interventions within broader humanitarian programming. Without this additional capacity, the effectiveness, quality, and accessibility of GBV services may be compromised, potentially increasing risks for women and girls and affecting overall programme performance and accountability. Under the supervision of the Head of Aleppo Sub-Office, the UN Volunteer will support the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of GBV programmes. The role will include assisting in coordination efforts, supporting partners in delivering quality GBV services in line with international standards, contributing to needs assessments and programme design, and ensuring proper documentation of activities and results. The UN Volunteer will be based in the UNFPA Aleppo Sub-Office and will support the day-to-day implementation of GBV programming. The incumbent will work closely with the Aleppo team, implementing partners, and the GBV unit at the Syria Country Office to ensure effective delivery of GBV prevention and response interventions.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Aleppo Sub-office or his/her designated representative(s), the UNV GBV Technical Officer will: ● In collaboration with Government counterparts, NGOs, and other partners, support the formulation and design of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) in line with the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and the country programme. Contribute to ensuring quality programme/project design by incorporating lessons learned, relevant policies, and best practices, and supporting the establishment of appropriate monitoring mechanisms and systems. ● Support the implementation of GBV projects by maintaining effective working relationships with Implementing Partners (IPs), government counterparts, and UN agencies, facilitating timely delivery of project activities and identifying capacity-building needs of partner staff. ● Contribute to the documentation and analysis of GBV trends and issues, including lessons learned and best practices from programme implementation, and share findings with the team to inform ongoing programming. ● Assist in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts at the field level by contributing to proposal development, preparing GBV advocacy materials, supporting campaigns and international observances, and participating in meetings and events as required. ● Provide inputs to GBV humanitarian response activities, including supporting the preparation of project documents, donor reports, and situation reports, and participating in coordination meetings as requested by the supervisor. ● Monitor project expenditures and budgets in coordination with the GBV Programme Specialist and relevant operations staff, ensuring alignment with approved work plans. ● Analyze and report on the local political, social, and economic context relevant to GBV, identifying operational challenges and opportunities for programme adaptation. ● Provide technical support to implementing partners in line with UNFPA standards and Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) GBV guidelines through regular field visits, including mentoring, on-the-job coaching, and capacity-building support. ● Support partners in establishing and strengthening women’s and adolescent girls’ groups, including facilitating capacity development activities. ● Contribute to the implementation of women’s empowerment initiatives in Aleppo and Idlib under the guidance of the supervisor. ● Provide technical guidance to GBV case management staff in line with IASC GBV Case Management Guidelines, and support case management coordination through participation in case conferences and supervision processes. ● Support implementing partners in ensuring ethical data collection, data protection, and GBV information management practices. ● Contribute to the implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities, including supporting partners in the use of inter-agency tools for programme delivery, monitoring, and reporting. ● Promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the engagement of men and boys in GBV prevention and response activities. ● Ensure that GBV-related procurement processes are implemented in line with UNFPA rules and procedures, in coordination with relevant units. ● Support integration of GBV interventions with other programme areas (Youth, Gender, SRH, and P&D) to enhance programme coherence and resource utilization. ● Maintain regular communication with field teams and provide technical and programmatic support on GBV-related issues. ● Collaborate with M&E, Communications, and Programme/Operations Support (POS) units to support monitoring, reporting, and visibility of GBV interventions. ● Work in coordination with the GBV team in Damascus in line with agreed division of responsibilities. ● Support coordination mechanisms, including GBV mainstreaming across SRH and Youth programmes. ● Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

Values: • Exemplifying integrity, • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, • Embracing cultural diversity, • Embracing change Core Competencies: • Achieving results, • Being accountable, • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, • Thinking analytically and strategically, • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact Functional Competencies: • Results-based Programme development and management Managing data • Innovation and marketing of new approaches. • Leveraging the resources of partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships. • Advocacy/ advancing a policy oriented agenda. • Resource mobilization Managerial Competencies (if applicable): • Providing strategic focus • Engaging internal/external partners • Making decisions and exercising judgment

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Aleppo, Syria. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions. Benefits Package: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 919 • Danger and Hardship Differential USD 275.8 (dependent on the hardship classification and family/non-family status of the duty station and ) • Entry lump sum: USD 350 • Medical and life Insurance • Free access to different learning platforms. • Exit lump sum (paid on successful completion of assignment) For more information on please visit the Entitlements Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator.