Office/Unit/Project Description:
The primary role of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is to help countries achieve sustainable development, reduce poverty, and promote democratic governance, peace, and resilience.ย
The work of UNDP in 170 countries around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to two critical roles at country level: (a) as an integrator across policy, programmatic and organizational silos; and (b) as an operational backbone for the United Nations and other partners.ย
Over the last 14 years, the Syrian population has suffered catastrophic losses; the displacement of 14 million citizens from their homes; a collective grief for the half a million lives lost in conflict; despair for those who were missing, detained or imprisoned for their political opposition.
In response to the evolving situation in Syria after 8 December 2024, UNDP Syria has developed a new Programme Offer, outlining targeted activities to address the needs of the immediate and mid-term transition period (1 to 3 years) in the following three priority domains: (1) Governance and Basic Services, (2) Socio-Economic Recovery, and (3) Climate and Energy. Under these three headings are six projects, including Gender.ย
In this context, UNDP Syria is looking for a dynamic and experiencedย Project Manager - Genderย to lead the design and implementation of gender-responsive interventions that promote equality, empower women and girls, and ensure inclusive development, while taking into account the specific needs and challenges of the local context.
Scope of Work:
Ensuring effective management of the assigned project.
Day-to-day management of the project to ensure the selection and direction of activities and the achievement of project targets and results. Oversee and coordinate development and formulation of detailed implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management plans for the project. Manage and monitor project risks, update the risk framework including social and environmental risks identified at the outset and track any necessary actions. Regularly update the status of identified risks by maintaining a comprehensive project risk log. Plan and develop project Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and establish Annual Targets in accordance with the Project Document and in close coordination with project stakeholders and the Project management unit team. Ensure that AWP activities suggested are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to the timely achievements of project targets and results. Ensure implementation of activities as per AWP and agreed deadlines as well as according to detailed implementation, procurement and HR plans. Identify bottlenecks and develop solutions. Develop innovative improvements to enhance the performance of the project. Coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/analysis/briefs. Organize and participate in project level coordination meetings and/or technical working groups. Ensure compliance of all actions and activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms. Provide technical advice, draft papers/briefs/proposals in projectโs technical focus. Coordinate closely with the Gender Programme Analyst to ensure that the project aligns with UNDPโs broader GEWE strategy and contributes to gender mainstreaming across the CO portfolio, including Socioeconomic Recovery, Governance, and Climate. Ensure project design and delivery reflect the four key GEWE domains: economic empowerment, political participation and leadership, access to education, and health services for women and girls. Integrate Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and social cohesion considerations into project planning and implementation, particularly in contexts affected by displacement, marginalization, or local conflict dynamics. Identify and pursue opportunities for synergies with other UNDP projects and external initiatives to enhance impact and expand the project's reach and impact.Maintaining collaborative working relationships among key project partners and donors.
Substantively contribute to the development of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process of implementing partners, both NGOs and private sector companies. Establish, maintain and facilitate strategic dialogue and teamwork between UNDP staff, project staff, area offices and government officials at national and local levels, in the projectโs area of work. Establish strong collaborative relationship with implementing partners and stakeholders and identify and establish collaborative partnerships with ongoing initiatives. Ensure that the Project systematically builds capacities of stakeholders through innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote their application to project implementation. Coordinate with the Gender Programme Analyst on the institutionalization and policy aspects of women-led networks supported by UNDP, while facilitating implementation support and visibility for such networks through the Gender Project as needed.Maintaining effective project monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
Provide leadership and technical advice to the project team in developing baselines and indicators for monitoring and evaluation. Develop a clear and effective system for data collection, means of verification, information sharing, and reporting, and coordinate the finalization of a detailed results framework.ย Conduct field visits as needed to verify project activities against stated targets and provide regular field updates to the project management unit. Review and approve project documents prepared by the team and partners to ensure high-quality reports. Lead the development and conduct of mid-term and annual reviews, end-line assessments; coordinate independent evaluations, audits and organize evaluation meetings. Follow up on the implementation of decisions, recommendations, and required adjustments. Coordinate the preparation of corporate and donor reports in line with the reporting schedule and in accordance with UNDP and donor requirements. Ensure the timely provision of ad hoc reports and information requested by relevant stakeholders. Ensure the proper operational and financial closure of the project.Effective Staff Management and Supervision of the Project team.
Manage the Gender project team. Assist the project team in setting clear, measurable performance and development goals. Provide regular feedback, guidance, and support to ensure team members meet their objectives, and conduct formal performance evaluations for project staff at scheduled intervals. Develop Terms of Reference for consultants and other roles, supervise consultants, and oversee the effective delivery of services to project stakeholders as needed. Promote skills development of project staff through coaching and mentoring.Knowledge capturing, management and dissemination.
Ensure capturing and dissemination of lessons learnt during project implementation and facilitate the Projectโs representation and/or participation in knowledge networks to draw on and share best practice and lessons learned. Facilitate knowledge building and management. Ensure that project communications activities are being implemented in close collaboration with the comms team. Promote the documentation of gender-responsive practices contributing to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and WPS outcomes at the community level.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement:
Theย Project Manager - Genderย reports to the Head of the Project Management Unit and collaborates closely with the Gender Analyst, Area teams staff, HR, Procurement, Programme and other relevant departments as needed.
Competencies:
Core:
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination:ย
LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision makingย
People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.) UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies):
Thematic Area: Business Direction & Strategy (Strategic Thinking)
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPโs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;Thematic Area: Business Direction & Strategy (System Thinking)
Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.Thematic Area: Business Management (Project Management)
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.Thematic Area: Business Management (Communication)
Ability to 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 Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.Thematic Area: 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness (Effectiveness)
Project Quality AssuranceMinimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA:
Minimum Education requirements:Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Womenโs studies/development, Gender studies, Development studies, Social Sciences, Political science or a related field is required, or
A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Minimum years of relevant work experience:Minimum 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) in project implementation and management (including budget management), coordination, monitoring and evaluation and/or communication is required.
Required skills:Proficiency in using office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), PowerBI, web-based management systems, and advanced skills in spreadsheet and database management.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:Experience in managing- and working on gender related projects, including in Syria and in providing technical assistance and building the capacity of diverse stakeholders on gender, particularly within culturally sensitive contexts.
Proven Access to a network of women-led or civil society-level CSOs working on gender issues is an advantage.
Strong knowledge/experience of project management principles.
Experience working in fragile/conflict environments.
Previous experience with the UN or INGOs. Understanding of UNDP processes is an advantage.
Previous experience with international donor-funded projects.
Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies,ย governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and internationalย organizations.
Required Language(s):Fluency in written and spoken English & Arabic is required.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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