Programme Associate, Gs-6, Damascus, Syria - Mena

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

  For every child, peace 

UNICEF Syria was established in 1970 and has been working with partners to help empower children to fully claim and enjoy their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF works with partners across Syria to deliver supplies, services, and expertise in areas of Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation for every child. UNICEF also provides humanitarian assistance when needed

Syria continues to face one of the most complex emergencies in the world. Unprecedented humanitarian needs are compounded by displacement inside the country and across its borders, extensive destruction of civilian and social services infrastructure, devastating impacts on the economy, and most importantly, the breakdown of the social fabric that stitched the country together for decades.

Today, 90% of people in Syria live in poverty, most are unable to make ends meet or bring food to the table. Families have had their resources depleted, with limited employment opportunities, skyrocketing prices, and shortage of basic supplies. For most people, the current socio-economic challenges represent some of the harshest and most challenging circumstances they have faced since the beginning of the crisis 11 years ago.

In 2023, 15.1 million people need humanitarian assistance. This is the highest number of people in need ever recorded in Syria since 2011. The number of children in need - more than 6.5 million – has increased by seven per cent in the past year alone. This is largely due the ongoing conflict, continued displacements, the unprecedented economic crisis, deepening poverty, and unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic, the hike in price of commodities triggered by the overall global economic situation and the impact of sanctions are further compounding the dire situation.

For information of the work of our organization, please visit our website: UNICEF Syria  

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisors, you support the Child Protection Section and the Office of the Representative by carrying out a range of technical, operational and administrative programme support functions focusing but not limited to Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse (PEA), Gender-based Violence (GBV), and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) within the Child Protection programme with a specific focus on strengthening these areas in Humanitarian Action including emergency response, to help develop, implement, and monitor the country programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.  

You work in close collaboration with a range of staff in the CO, external partners, and agency counterparts in support of the Child Protection programme design and delivery. You provide regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advise on improvements to keep activities on track.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Facilitating the development of programme cooperation including support on the assessment of the partner capacity on PEA.
2. Regularly supporting supervisors in relationships with partners, including but not limited to monitoring that the financial and other resources reach them efficiently and timely.
3. Through follow up and monitoring, ensuring that resources (financial and supply) are used according to agreement of the implementation of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence.
4. Conducting programme monitoring for Explosive Ordnance of Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence in UNICEF focus districts, and informing supervisors on the status, preparing reporting information for on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
5. Monitoring and tracking the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.
6. Support in researching, compiling, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources on subject matters relevant but not limited to the following programmes: Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence, to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers and presentations.
7. Support programme implementation and capacity development activities, including training support, travel, administrative support and logistics for Syria Country Office in Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence programmes.
8. Helping prepare periodic or ad-hoc programme reports relating to country office and donors to support the office in optimizing use of programme funds.
9. Carrying out transactions in VISION ensuring programme results, activities and programme coding are as per annual work plans (AWPs) and making amendments and alterations as per section revisions when necessary.
10. Support supervisors in the interagency network coordination for Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence programmes.
11. Any other tasks requested by supervisors relevant to Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence programmes. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have the below requirement:

1. 1. Education:

Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.

For this position: Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field related to the work of the organization may replace three (3) years of related work experience.

A master’s degree in a relevant field related to the work of the organization, may replace two (2) additional years.

1. Work Experience:

A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible work in administrative and/or clerical work is required.

Candidates with experience supporting Explosive Ordnance of Risk Education, Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse and/or Gender-Based Violence programmes will have a strong advantage.

Work experience in emergency duty station is required.

Candidates with previous humanitarian experience volunteering or similar will have an advantage.

Experience working with the UN, UNICEF or humanitarian organizations will be an asset. 

1. Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Desired Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of the administration which underpins UNICEF country office programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong office management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage the section’s material resources and monitor its budget.
• Good analytical skills.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter Here

Competencies required for this post are...

1. Builds and maintains partnerships. (1)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness. (1)
3. Drive to achieve results for impact. (1)
4. Innovates and embraces change. (1)
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity. (1)
6. Thinks and acts strategically. (1)
7. Works collaboratively with others. (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: Here

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We offer a Compensation, benefits and wellbeing | UNICEF Careers including parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation for job candidates and personnel with disabilities | UNICEF Careers, UNCIEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All