Organization Mission

UNFPA operates in Syria under the umbrella of the 8th Country Programme Document (2016-2017) extended to 2019 and the Humanitarian Response Plan. The overall aim of the country office is to contribute to three long-term strategic goals of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero GBV and harmful practices in Syria. To achieve these goals, UNFPA invests in the capacity of the health and social systems and NGOs to provide reproductive, maternal health and GBV services and expand the partnership with local communities and academia. In the absence of UN Women, UNFPA works to enhance women’s empowerment and gender equality reduce childe marriage and advocate for youth education, inclusiveness and civic participation especially in the light of the SCR 2250 on Youth, peace, and security.

UNFPA leads the GBV Sub-sector coordination in Syria as part of the Protection Sector and actively contributes to the work of Health Sector. The key types of UNFPA programmatic services include; static and mobile RH and GBV clinics, Women and Girls Safe Spaces, family protection units, as well as Community Centres with integrated services. Furthermore, UNFPA supplies various types of dignity kits for female and male beneficiaries, several types of reproductive health kits for clinics, and hygiene products for women and girls.

UNFPA Country Office is increasing the efforts to contribute to the resilience pillar of HRP, focusing on rehabilitation of basic social infrastructure such as health clinics and community centres, restoration and expansion of quality services with a social inclusion and social cohesion objectives. UNFPA closely cooperates with all UN Agencies present in Syria.

Context

The crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is extending into its fourteenth year – with more people than ever sliding into deeper poverty and 16.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The Syria situation remains one of the largest displacement crises in the world, with a 2025 projection of 7.2 million internally displaced people (IDPs), and 6.2 million refugees. The Lebanon crisis and subsequent influx into Syria in late September 2024 and the Nov/Dec crisis spilled over Syria created a very dynamic situation resulting in more than million displacements. This crisis further exacerbated the needs of SRH and GBV services among other needs. Humanitarian operations have been severely impacted, with increasing deterioration of access to services in different of the country including in the northern governorates, generating pervasive insecurity and disruption of basic services, including electricity, water and public transportation. In the context of political change, field presence to respond the emerged humanitarian needs, particularly in northeast and south governorates of Syria, following the transition of Gaziantep hub, whole of Syria mechanism, is more prominent. More programmes and coordination efforts are required to address the evolved transition considering the nexus of humanitarian response, early recovery and reconstruction/development.
UNFPA is actively engaged in the inter-agency coordination mechanism, as the lead agency for the GBV Sub-Sector and the SRH working group. It has been scaling up its response services across the country through expanding services and humanitarian resources reaching out to women and girls. Given the complexity of the current crises affecting already pre-existing protracted crises of Syria, GBV programme and coordination in various governorates will be crucial to ensure provision of GBV risk mitigation and life-saving response services to those women and girls in need.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Qamishli Sub-Office and technical guidance from GBV team in Damascus and GBV Coordination Specialist- Qamishli, the GBV Field Associate will work closely with Qamishli team. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with humanitarian and development agencies (UN, NGOs and INGOs), and other partner organizations to deliver GBV prevention and response services. S/he will provide operational and coordination support to the UNFPA GBV programme and support the sub-national GBV sub-sector in Northeast Syria as necessary. S/he will monitor programme activities, support capacity building of various stakeholders in GBV prevention, mitigation and response, contribute to coordination mechanism in Northeast Syria, and support integration of GBV programming with other UNFPA mandate areas, such as, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and youth.

Key Responsibilities

The GBV Field Associate will be responsible for:
A. Programme implementation
● Coordinate the in-depth analysis of the GBV programme needs and priorities in NES, work with implementing partners to identify programme priorities and share the consolidated needs with GBV unit in the UNFPA CO to inform Annual Work Plan Development.
● Develop comprehensive and context specific monitoring plans based on implementing partner approved annual work plans.
● Conduct monitoring field visits to ensure that Gender and GBV activities for women and girls run according to minimum standards, best practices and are culturally relevant and appropriate.
● Support implementing partners in the daily operations of the women’s centers, mobile teams and other facilities including outreach events, activities planning and emergency response including distribution of Dignity Kits and commodities.
● Support the International GBV coordinator in the implementation of standard guidelines and protocols such as IASC Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Settings, RH/GBV in humanitarian settings, and related instruments during assessment, planning and implementation of GBV programming.
● Conduct assessments on the GBV situation in that setting and/or engage the displaced, returnee and host populations in conducting relevant rapid needs assessments.
● Participate in the GBV team meetings at CO level, providing regular information and updates on GBV action plans and help to bring innovations to programming of UNFPA partners.
● Undertake planning of relevant training sessions for intra-sectoral and multi-sectoral prevention and response actors for a stronger integrated rights-based approach, provide support to UNFPA partners to integrate GBV, Reproductive Health, Youth and Resilience issues into their service delivery.
● Establish and maintain functional communication with IP case workers/supervisors and GBV help desk.
● Support to deliver mentorship sessions to GBV AoR partners, offering technical guidance, sharing best practices, and promoting continuous learning and improvement.
● Develop and implement a robust documentation mechanism for GBV case management, ensuring compliance with SOPs and data protection protocols.B. Partnerships and Coordination
● In coordination with the GBV Coordination Specialist- Qamishli and GBV team in Damascus, support sub-national GBV sub-sector in NES.
● Support assessments on the GBV situation in that setting and/or engage the displaced, returnee and host populations in conducting relevant participatory analyses, rapid needs assessments, and client satisfaction surveys including provision of GBV related messages.
● Undertake the organization of and facilitate relevant training sessions for implementing partners for a stronger integrated rights-based approach, to integrate GBV, Reproductive Health, Youth and Resilience issues into their service delivery.
● Support the GBV Coordination Specialist in the implementation of agreed-upon GBV standard operating procedures, related policies and practices.
● Develop and maintain a record of GBV sub sector players in NES, share GBV updates and emerging issues with stakeholders regularly.
● Assist in planning and organization of emergency assessments with GBV actors, gather results, and plan and implement emergency response.
● Support the GBV AoR meetings at both the governorate and camp levels facilitating discussions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address key GBV issues.
● Support the review and update of the referral pathway in NES on a quarterly basis, ensuring alignment with best practices and incorporating feedback from stakeholders.

C. Monitoring and Evaluation
● Conduct monitoring field visits to ensure that GBV/RH activities for women, men and young people run according to minimum standards, identify factors affecting the achievement of results, and follow up on recommendations in coordination with the CO Programme Unit.
● Monitor implementation of Implementing Partners’ work plans, identify challenges and support implementation of corrective actions and follows up on recommendations in coordination with the CO Programme Unit
● Prepare field monitoring report, including monthly sub office reports and reports on distribution and use of assets, equipment and supplies, using UNFPA’s Result Based Management approach, substantive analysis of related issues and way forward.
● Regularly and closely follow up with partners in the field and liaise with their CO counterparts in all aspects of planning, programming, implementation and review.
● Support implementation of various assessment and Focus Group Discussions to monitor programme implementation.

D. Performs other tasks as assigned by the supervisor or the Head of Office.

Required Skills and Experience

● At least 7 years of professional work experience, at the national and/or international level, in GBV in an international organization, UN system or any other equivalent agencies, or other relevant programmes;
● Field Experience addressing GBV/integrating gender in programmes in emergency and post conflict contexts.
● Demonstrable knowledge of gender issues in development, particularly GBV, including relevant international human rights standards required.
● Knowledge of reproductive health and protection issues in humanitarian and post-conflict recovery settings is an asset.
● Experience in utilizing the following international tools: GBV Standard Operating Procedures; GBV Information Management System; IASC Guidelines for Integrating GBV Interventions in Humanitarian Settings; IASC Gender in Humanitarian Action Handbook; GBV Coordination Handbook; and WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
● Excellent computer literacy (windows environment, MS office applications including Word, Excel and Power-point and Internet skills)
● Experience and capacity in development and delivery of GBV training components to (I)NGO, and community level participants.
● Person committed to women’s right is highly desired.
● Experience with the UN is preferable.
● Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
● Sound security awareness.

Core Competencies

● Accountability
● Adaptability and flexibility
● Creativity
● Judgement and decision-making
● Planning and organising
● Professionalism
● Self-management

Living Conditions

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Qamishli. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

National UN Expert Volunteers in Syria are entitled to:
• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 919.41;
• Monthly Expertise Differential at the amount of USD 367.76 – this is related to the hardship classification of the duty station;
• Monthly Well-being differential USD 275.7;
• Annual and learning leaves;
• Free Medical and life insurance;
• Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements, and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service.