Office/Unit/Project Description:
The primary role of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to support country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work of UNDP in 170 countries around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to our 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
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 Inclusion and protection, service delivery, local governance, as well as climate change. Recognizing that gender inequality cuts across all these challenges, UNDP maintains a stand-alone gender equality and womenโs empowerment portfolio, supported by a dedicated Gender Equality Unit. In this regard, UNDP Syria is looking for a Technical Officer who can support UNDPโs immediate interventions on Social Development and Gender Supportย while also extending part-time technical and coordination support to the Gender Equality Unit to help operationalize gender-responsive programming at the field level.
Scope of Work:
Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective activity planning, implementation and monitoring
Act as a technical and project lead for the Social Development and Gender Support projects, and gender equality project activities in the field office.ย ย Collect and analyze relevant technical information, data and/or statistics to support the identification of Social Development and Gender Support as well as gender equality and womenโs empowerment (GEWE) priorities, and delivery of project outcomes/outputs, while ensuring sex- and age-disaggregated data is integrated to inform inclusive and gender-responsive programming. Develop project documents and concept notes related to Social Development and Gender Support projects and GEWE targeted projects and mainstreaming activities using collected and analyzed data.ย ย Monitor progress of activities and report challenges and concerns in a timely manner, including tracking gender equality indicators in line with the project's Results Framework. Oversee project finance, accounting, and other administrative works related to Social Development and Gender Support and GEWE activities.ย 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.ย ย Contribute to and coordinate implementation of all Social Inclusion and Development and gender-related work, in alignment with UNDPโs twin-track approach to gender equality, mainstreaming gender across all interventions while supporting standalone initiatives. Manage risks at the local level and inform Area Manager about any issues that would impede implementation, including risks related to gender-based exclusion or backlash.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. Proactively engage with UNDP-led Early Recovery Sector, Protection sector, GBV sub sector and other local gender working groups 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, women led organizations (WLO), local women and youth networks (LW&YN), and local technical government entities to support project implementation.ย Coordinate with area office technical officers working on other projects to ensure integration and comprehensiveness in planning and implementation of activities,ย supporting gender mainstreaming across projects. 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, with attention to gender-focused programming.ย Implement the required activities under the direction of Area Manager in line with the area office strategy, Country Office Strategy, Gender Equality and womenโs Empowerment strategy, and CPD.ย ย Perform any other duties related to goals and objectives as requested by the supervisor.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, WLO, LW&YN, 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, including monitoring and advising on gender-sensitive implementation across partnersโ activities.ย Support the Area Manager in key operational procedures, including drafting grant and partnership agreements, processing payment requests, and handling other essential operational tasks.ยFacilitate knowledge building and management
Provide technical advice and facilitate capacity-building activities for partners and team members to foster discussions at the governorate level, enhance coordination among stakeholders, and strengthen their gender integration capacities.ย 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, particularly those showcasing womenโs empowerment and inclusive results in social inclusion and protection project, GEWE project and other UNDP projects as feasible.ย Promote knowledge sharing among UNDP staff and field project teams to ensure effective dissemination of experiences and insights, .ย Promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff, including promoting visibility of gender equality commitments and achievements.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 manager and technical coordination with the relevant Project Manager(s) for Social Development and Gender Support.
Competencies:
CoreAchieve Results:ย โโLEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineโย
Think Innovatively:ย โโLEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements โ
Learn Continuously:ย โโLEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackโย
Adapt with Agility:ย โโLEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible โย
Act with Determination:ย ย โโLEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentโย
Engage and Partner:ย โโLEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsโย
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย โโLEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination โย
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesThematic Area: 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 system.ย Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.ยThematic Area: Business Managementย (Monitoring and Evaluation)
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to making sure that they are being implemented effectively; ย 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.ย ย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programs and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. ย Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.ย ยThematic Area: Business Developmentย (Knowledge Generation)
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. ย Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. ย Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. ยThematic Area: Business Managementย (Communication)
Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; 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.ยThematic Area: Business Management & Advocacyย (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. ยThematic Area: Finance (Budget management)
Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.Thematic Area: Administration & Operationsย (Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)ย
Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.ยMinimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA:
Min. Education requirements:
Advanced University degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in the field of social science or relevant related field is required Orย A First Level University degree (Bachelorโs degree ) in the above field in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Min. years of relevant work experience:
Applicants with a Masterโs degree (or equivalent) in the field of social science or relevant fields are not required to have professional work experience.ย ย Applicants with a Bachelorโs degree (or equivalent) in the field of social science or relevant fields are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the design, supervision and implementation of Social Development, Gender Support projects, and gender responsive programming.ยRequiredย skillsย : N/A
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems.ย Four years of practical experience in the design, supervision and implementation of Social Develment and Gender Support projects, and gender responsive programming is highly desirable.ย Experience in developing project documents, strategies and concept notesย Experience in community and stakeholder engagement, especially women.ย Experience in the preparation of donorsยด or other technical and financial reports will be an asset.ย Experience and knowledge of Gender Equality and Womenโs empowerment analysis skills and feminist principles.ย ย Experience and knowledge of project management processes is desirable.ย Experience and knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools is desirable.ย Experience with the UN system will be an asset.ย ย Good knowledge of the duty station is highly desirable.ยRequired Language(s):
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.ย
Professional Certificates: N/A