JOB HIGHLIGHT

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ABOUT THE COUNTRY/MULTI-COUNTRY OFFICE

UN-Habitat’s Syria Country Programme has worked closely with Syrian cities and communities to develop an urban resilience and recovery approach. UN-Habitat supports local authorities and communities to collect better urban data to reach a common understanding of urban recovery needs; jointly identify neighborhood and municipal area response priorities, straddling humanitarian, resilience-building and recovery phases; and to design and implement housing, infrastructure and basic services, urban environment, and urban cultural heritage projects that directly respond to these local priorities. UN-Habitat Syria currently has offices in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Deir Ezzor, operationalizing projects across the country.

ABOUT THE GROUP

UN-Habitat is the United Nations agency mandated to promote sustainable urbanization and adequate housing for all. In Syria, UN-Habitat supports government institutions, municipalities and communities in urban recovery, housing, basic urban services, municipal governance and area-based development.

JOB SPECIFIC CONTEXT

The Programme Management Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the UN-Habitat Syria Country Director, report to the Deputy Country Director, and work in close coordination with the Homs Hub Coordinator, relevant Unit Leads, technical and operations teams, Governorate and Municipality, the Embassy of Japan, Japanese technical partners, contractors and other project stakeholders.

ROLE PURPOSE

The purpose of the position is to support UN-Habitat programme in Homs sub-office including support managing the implementation of the “The Project for Integrated Urban Regeneration and Sustainable Waste Management in Homs City – Restoring the Heartbeat of Homs.”

The Programme Management Specialist will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the activities in Homs sub-office, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery in accordance with the approved project document, budget, UN-Habitat rules and regulations, and donor requirements.

The project for Integrated Urban Regeneration and Sustainable Waste Management in Homs City – Restoring the Heartbeat of Homs is funded by Government of Japan, with a duration of 24 months. It combines the revitalization of the Old Clock Square and surrounding urban environment with rehabilitation of the municipal solid waste management system, including application of the Fukuoka Method and provision and rehabilitation of waste-management vehicles and equipment.

FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

The Programme Management Specialist will:

• Lead the overall implementation and management of the activities in Homs sub-office, ensuring delivery of activities, outputs and outcomes within the approved scope, timeframe and budget.
• Manage project planning, staffing, procurement, contracts, budgets, monitoring, reporting and risk management.
• Supervise project personnel, consultants and technical experts, and ensure effective coordination between the Damascus Country Office and Homs Hub.
• Supporting coordination with related Governorates, Municipalites, Donors, UN agencies and other government and development partners.
• Oversee the implementation of project activities, including urban public-space revitalization, municipal solid waste management improvements and related capacity-building initiatives.
• Ensure effective technical quality assurance, community engagement, monitoring, compliance and accountability in accordance with UN-Habitat and donor requirements.
• Prepare donor reports, briefings and other project documentation, and support project visibility, evaluations and future programme development.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Ultimate Result of Service

The activities are delivered within the approved timeframe, budget and quality standards. For the Project in Homs will result in improved public spaces, municipal solid waste management, urban services and municipal capacity. The project strengthens community engagement, supports sustainable urban recovery, and ensures effective donor reporting, financial management, risk management and accountability, while providing a replicable model for integrated urban recovery in Syria.

SKILLS

Project Coordination, Project Implementation, Project Planning, Quality Assurance, Reporting, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management

COMPETENCIES

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• An advanced university degree in urban planning, architecture, civil or environmental engineering, solid waste management, project management, international development or a related field with 5 years of progressively responsible experience.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree with 7 years of progressively responsible experience.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, urban development, engineering, infrastructure, municipal services or a related field.
• Experience managing complex, donor-funded projects, including budgets, procurement, contractors and technical teams.

Desired:

• Experience in urban regeneration, municipal infrastructure or environmental services.
• Experience working with government institutions, donors and communities, particularly in fragile or post-conflict contexts.
• Previous experience with the United Nations or projects funded by the Government of Japan is an asset.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Language Proficiency Level Requirement

• English Fluent Required
• Arabic Basic Desirable
• Japanese Basic Desirable

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.