Senior Programme Manager, Damascus, Syria

General Information

Publication for: Partner

Partner Name: UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Position Title: Senior Programme Manager

Job Category: Programme

Duty Station(s): Damascus

Seniority Level: Senior Level

ICS Level: ICS 11

Contract Type: ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level: IICA 3

Posting Start Date: 30-Sep-2026

Posting End Date: 30-Oct-2026

Duration: 12 Months subject to extension based on satisfactory performance, Programme requirements and availability of funds

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.

UN-Habitat will lead the overall programme, as enabling-environment, housing-service, urban and HLP assessments, HLP and area-based assessments, institutional-strengthening and associated infrastructure components, with other UN agencies/partners support on direct housing rehabilitation. Together, the programme aims to move from fragmented housing assistance towards a scalable and government-led national housing recovery programme.

Job Specific Context

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director, The Senior Programme Manager will provide strategic, technical and managerial leadership for UN-Habitat's components of the programme and ensure effective coordination with UNDP, KfW, government counterparts, municipalities and other partners. The incumbent will oversee programme planning, implementation, financial management, procurement, monitoring, risk management and donor reporting.

The Senior Programme Manager will work the overall supervision of the Country Director of UN-Habitat Syria, reporting to the Deputy Country Director and in daily coordination with Unit Leads, as well as National Project Manager and Hub Managers

Role Purpose

The purpose of the position is to lead UN-Habitat's implementation of the Syria National Housing Support Programme, in partnership with Syrian Government partners and in particular the German Government through BMZ and KfW.

The programme responds to Syria's extensive housing crisis, in which approximately 31 per cent of the national housing stock—around 1.3 million units—is estimated to be moderately damaged, severely damaged or destroyed. It seeks to combine immediate housing rehabilitation with the institutional, regulatory and municipal systems required to support housing recovery at scale.

Organizational Setting

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 housing recovery, urban planning, Housing, Land and Property rights, land administration, basic urban services and area-based urban recovery.

The National Housing Support Programme is structured around three mutually reinforcing workstreams:

• Strengthening the enabling environment and housing recovery ecosystem;
• Neighbourhood-based housing rehabilitation for vulnerable households; and
• Associated infrastructure and area-based recovery.

• Functions / Key Results Expected

  The Senior Programme Manager will:

  • Provide overall leadership and management of the National Housing Support Programme, ensuring effective planning, implementation and delivery.
  • Manage programme resources, including budgets, staffing, procurement, contracts, monitoring and risk management.
  • Lead and supervise the programme team, consultants and technical partners.
  • Serve as the primary focal point for donors, government counterparts, UN partners and other stakeholders.
  • Ensure effective programme coordination, quality assurance, compliance, reporting and accountability.
  • Support strategic programme development, resource mobilization and the design of future phases of the National Housing Programme.
  • Ensure programme experience informs national housing policy, institutional strengthening and broader housing recovery efforts in Syria.
  • Ensure compliance with UN rules, donor requirements, environmental and social safeguards, conflict sensitivity, gender equality and do-no-harm principles.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

  Ultimate Result of Service

  The National Housing Support Programme is effectively managed and delivered on time, within budget and in accordance with the approved programme document, donor agreement and UN rules. The programme contributes to improved housing conditions, strengthened housing-recovery systems and more coordinated national and local adequate housing recovery.

  Skills

  Budget Management, Compliance Management, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Urban Regeneration, Project Resource 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 architecture, urban planning, housing, engineering, public policy, international development, project or programme management or a related field with at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience. OR
  • A first-level university degree with at least 9 years of progressively responsible experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

  Experience Requirements

  Required:

  • Progressively responsible experience in programme or project management, housing, urban recovery, urban development or a related field.
  • Experience managing large, complex and multi-year donor-funded programmes.

  Desired:

  • Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, substantial budgets, procurement processes, consultants and infrastructure contracts.
  • Experience working with government ministries, municipalities, development banks and bilateral donors.
  • Experience in housing recovery, urban development, municipal systems, HLP or area-based recovery.
  • Experience working with KfW, BMZ, the United Nations system, or coordinating joint programmes is highly desirable.
  • Experience in fragile or post-conflict contexts, including the application of environmental and social safeguards and risk management.

  Language Requirements

  Language: English

  • Proficiency Level: Fluent
  • Requirement: Required

  Language: Arabic

  • Proficiency Level: Basic
  • Requirement: Desirable

  Language: German

  • Proficiency Level: Basic
  • Requirement: 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.

  Terms and Conditions

  • 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 information on a retainer contract here.
  • 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. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
  • 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.