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 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 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.ย
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 Climate Change Mitigation.ย
Institutional Arrangementย
Under the direct supervision of the area manager and technical guidance of the relevant Programme Manager(s) for Climate Changeย
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Duties and Responsibilities
Participating in Needs Assessment & Project Concept Notes Development:ย
Participate in the needs assessment processes of the targeted locations in order to identify the needed plan including the procedures, items and equipment related to electricity and renewable energies.ย ย Collect and analyze relevant technical, and environmental related information, data and/or statistics to support the identification of climate change mitigation priorities as well as delivery of project outcomes/outputs.ย Provide inputs for developing project documents and concept notes.ย Participate in conducting risk assessments as well as social and environmental assessments.ย Proactively engage with UNDP-led Early Recovery Sector in terms of needs assessments, joint programming; monitoring and evaluation and meetings.ย Actively liaise with local authorities, NGOs, community groups, cooperatives, civil society organizations, and local technical government entities.ยย
Reviews and assesses technical design documents for proposed interventions;ย
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Provides effective support throughout all stages of Tendering Processes;ย
Ensure that necessary supporting documentation is in place prior to issuance of tenderย Verify the specifications and coordinate with Procurement Team before initiating the procurement process;ย Respond to queries arise from procurement unit and review committees related to BoQs and technical specifications.ย Participate in pre-bid meetings and respond to queries from potential national/international bidders on the technical specifications.ย ย Participate in Technical Review Committee meetings and review all bids against the advertised evaluation criteria and submitted technical specifications.ย ยย
Provides effective support throughout all stages of Project Implementationย
Attend Kick-off meetings upon the start of project implementation.ย Monitor the physical implementation of the approved project through site visit to ensure compliance with the requirement as stated in the sign contract.ย Supervise all locations where the equipment needs to be installed and provide updates and recommendation to UNDP accordingly;ย ย Advice, monitor and manage the operational phase of the facilities and procured equipment on behalf of UNDP and in coordination with the respective Governorate and /or the line ministries directorates.ย Provide regular monitoring reports and inputs to the overall project progress report.ย Check materials received at construction/renovation sites against damages, missing parts and appropriate ratings; ensuring that the materials/equipment provided by the Contractor meets UNDP requirement and standards.ย ย Discuss site issues with the Contractor and promptly report back to UNDP if a problem arises that requires UNDP input.ย Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the project actions and the operations of the outcomes.ย ย Checks and certify substantial progress/completion and the corresponding payments. Advice UNDP to withhold payment for any work which has been rejected or any work which is not in compliance with the contract documents.ย Prepare Variation Orders that impact the Contract value.ย Maintain project progress log and issue certificates, notices and instructions in consultation with UNDP to the contractor as may be required by the provisions of the contract requirements.ย ย Advice UNDP on the value of the works at the date of termination, in the event of the termination of the contract.ย Manage risks at the local level and inform Area Manager about any issues that would impede implementationย Assist UNDP as expert witness in litigation arising from the development or installation of equipment.ย Ensure that the Contractor maintain safety on Site and clean the site after the completion of the rehabilitation works.ย 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 ยย
Strategic partnerships and coordination with key stakeholdersย
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).ย Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.ย Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.ย Support the Area Manager in key operational procedures, including drafting grant and partnership agreements, processing payment requests, and handling other essential operational tasks.ย Perform any other duties related to goals and objectives as requested by the supervisor.ยCompetencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: โโLEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineโย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements โย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackโย Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible โย Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentโย Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsโย Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination โย Cross-functional & Technical competenciesย
Business Direction & Strategyย
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 systemBusiness Managementย
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. Communicationย