Background
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.ย
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.ย
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022โ2024 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, UNDPโs 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 UNDPโs immediate interventions on Basic Services Delivery and Infrastructure Rehabilitation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective activity planning, implementation and monitoringย
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 UNDPโs 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.ย 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.ย Manage risks at the local level and inform Area Manager about any issues that would impede implementation.ย 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.ย 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.ย 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 officeย strategy, Country Office Strategy and CPD.ย Perform any other duties related to goals and objectives as requested by the supervisor.Strategic partnerships and coordination with key stakeholders
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 staff and field project teams to ensure effective dissemination of experiences and insights. Promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.ยThe 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 manager and technical guidance of the relevant Programme Manager(s) for Basic Services & Infrastructure Rehabilitation
Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationย
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)ย Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking 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 Business Management Monitoring & Evaluation 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. Business Development Knowledge Generation 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. Business Management Communication 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.ย ยAbility to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels Business Management Partnership Management 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 Finance Budget Management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets Adminstration & Operations Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)ย Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
Required Skills and Experience Min. Education requirements
Advanced University Degree (Masterโs degreeor equivalent) in Civil Engineering ,Architectural Engineering or a relevant related field is required Or A first level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the fields mentioned above with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeย