Job Category: Programme
Duty Station(s): Damascus
Seniority Level: Senior Level
ICS Level: ICS 11
Contract Type: ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
Contract Level: LICA 11
Posting Start Date: 28-Oct-2026
Posting End Date: 12-Nov-2026
Duration: Ongoing
The Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Advisor provides strategic leadership for the planning, coordination and delivery of the UNMAS Country Programme. As Officer-in-Charge of the Programme Section, the role leads the programme team, supports resource mobilization and stakeholder engagement, and ensures effective programme performance, reporting, risk management and delivery of results
About the Region
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.
About the Group
Background: UNMAS Syria Programme
UNMAS Syria, with its office based in Damascus, plays a central role in coordinating humanitarian mine action across Syria. UNMAS also actively supports the broader United Nations Country Team (UNCT) by enabling safe access for humanitarian and development operations. UNMAS also works closely with the Syrian Government which has designated the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management (MoEDM) as the national focal point for mine action. As part of its strategic support, UNMAS is actively coordinating advising on the establishment of a national mine action authority and mine action centre, by providing strategic and technical advice and developing a comprehensive roadmap for institutional development and technical capacity. In addition, UNMAS serves as the lead agency for the Mine Action Area of Responsibility ( MA AoR) in Syria, coordinating efforts under the broader humanitarian framework.
Job Specific Context
Background: UNMAS Syria Programme
Operating under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2165 (renewed in 2017 with SCR 2393), UNMAS deployed to Syria at the request of the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in August 2015 and subsequently activated the Mine Action Sub Sector under the Protection Sector to address the impact of explosive hazards within Syria. UNMAS acted as the lead agency for the Mine Action Sub sector for Syria. Established in Damascus since 2018, following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Syrian Arab Republic, UNMAS strives to expand humanitarian mine action in Syria, with the aim of responding to high humanitarian needs. This includes humanitarian mine action activities prioritized in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Syria: risk education, victim assistance, survey and clearance.
The conflict in Syria has been characterized by the extensive use of explosive weapons, which resulted in large-scale explosive hazard contamination, with the presence of diversified types of ordinances. According to the Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Needs Response Plan(HNRP) 2026, over 14.3 million Syrians are estimated to be at risk of explosive ordnance (EO) contamination; men, women, and children are exposed to the threat of grave injuries and death on a daily basis.
Mitigating EO risks and supporting survivors are a key priority given the scale of EO contamination with 2335 civilian casualties recorded between December 2024 and June 2026.
UNMAS play a central role in reducing harm through non-technical survey, EO disposal and clearance, inclusive risk education integrated with critical services such as education, agriculture, and cash/livelihoods, and sensitive community engagement, while facilitating referrals to survey and clearance actors where feasible.
Role Purpose
The Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Advisor provides strategic and operational leadership for the planning, coordination and delivery of the UNMAS Country Programme, including programme strategy, workplanning, resource mobilization, funding and performance management.
As Officer-in-Charge of the Programme Section, the role coordinates with UN, government, donor and mine action stakeholders, ensures effective reporting, risk and knowledge management, and provides leadership and support to the programme team to achieve programme results.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Under the supervisor of Senior Programme Officer (SPO), and as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Programme Section, the Programme Management Advisor’s duties and responsibilities are as follows:
- Programme development planning and coordination
- Coordinate the development, articulation and periodic review of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS) in line with relevant UN and government and/or national or regional strategies, and review/update at necessary intervals.
- Support the management team to formulate the CPS and Workplan, and ensure these strategy documents reflect in-house capacity, budget, typology of delivery areas and the internal and institutional tools and knowledge resources.
- Support the management team to translate the CPS into implementation/results Workplan and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme activities.
- Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at UNMAS HQ and UNOPS PSC to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.
- Development and support resource mobilization opportunities
- Monitor humanitarian and development trends, priorities and emerging needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity.
- Stay abreast of developments in mine action policies, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), conflict sensitivity, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), sustainability, and environment. Ensure GESI and PSEAH standards are integrated into programme design, concept notes, proposals, and workplans, consistent with the UNOPS GESI Mainstreaming Strategy 2026–2029 and the UNMAS Gender Guidelines for Mine Action Programmes (3rd edition, 2019).
- Coordinate the identification, design, and formulation of new programme activities in line with programme objectives and strategic priorities.
- Accompany and support the management team in resource mobilization efforts, including bilateral donor meetings, donor forums, and international conferences.
- Coordinate and, as required, take the lead of preparation of resource mobilization documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.
- In coordination with headquarters relevant personnel, support the review, submission, negotiation, and signature of funding agreements, ensuring consistency with programme priorities and requirements.
- Programme management support
- In collaboration with the Support Services team and relevant HQ personnel, review and analyze funding agreements and develop compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management team to meet requirements of funding agreements.
- In collaboration with relevant personnel, particularly Support Services, establish monitoring mechanisms to track programme delivery and performance against targets and commitments outlined in funding agreements including GESI and PSEAH requirements and any related donor conditions. Where programme data permits, ensure reports reflect sex- and age-disaggregated data on programme beneficiaries, consistent with UNMAS reporting standards. Share findings relevant to GESI and PSEAH performance with the PSC GEDSI Advisor.
- Track programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
- Coordinate information flow between implementation teams, donors and HQ, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, coordinate budget and activity revisions to contribution and financial agreements.
- Prepare and provide editing support for high-quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports.
- Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate. Conduct research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
- Ensure the timely preparation and updates of the regular document, including but not limited to the quarterly reports, quarterly review discussion materials, bi-weekly update, and risk/issue logs.
- Stakeholder coordination and inter-agency collaboration
- Establish, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with UN entities, international organizations, donors, government counterparts, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
- Act as delegated focal point in the relevant inter-agency (UNCT, PMT and other Technical Working Groups), UN mission, donor and intergovernmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required.
- Contribute to UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
- Support and participate in, or contribute to the Mine Action Area of Responsibility/Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster, where relevant, including the formulation of the mine action components for the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Response Plan, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
- Coordinate and provide timely and substantive responses to requests for information, inputs and technical or programme contributions from internal and external stakeholders, such as Mine Action Review.
- Support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximize communication impact and outreach and build awareness of CPS objectives.
- Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms.
- Support preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.
- Knowledge and document management and innovation
- Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
- Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme development and implementation.
- Identify, document and share the best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches arising from programme implementation to improve overall programme performance.
- Contribute to the systematic management and regular updating of risk management and issue logs and processes for appropriate mitigation measures.
- People management
- As the OIC of the programme section, provide day-to-day leadership, support and motivate the programme team, promotion effective teamwork, accountability, performance and staff development.
- Create, foster and role-model a safe, inclusive culture and work environment for all personnel. Ensure zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse, and that the highest standards of conduct are observed; and ensure that all personnel under supervision, including contracted personnel, are aware of and comply with PSEAH obligations and reporting channels.
- Share skills, knowledge and experience with other programme officers and provide guidance, mentoring and support to newly recruited or less experienced programme colleagues to facilitate their effective integration and professional development.
Post may include regular travel to different accessible areas of Syria.
Skills
Partnerships, Planning, Business Proposal Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking
Education Requirements
Required
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with nine years of relevant experience OR
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with seven years of relevant experience is required.
Experience Requirements
Required
- Relevant experience is work in international development, involving execution of partnership and programme development plans, project development and proposal writing, establishment of partnerships with UN agencies, international development organizations, governments, foundations or private-sector organizations, or related areas.
- Knowledge of G-suite and/or MS office is required.
Desired
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
- Experience in project and programme management is desired.
Language Requirements
Language: English
- Proficiency Level: Fluent
- Requirement: Required
Language: Arabic
- Proficiency Level: Fluent
- Requirement: Required
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