The Position:

Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative for Syria and direct supervision of International Programme Coordinator the incumbent will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and oversight of the substantive and technical content of the Programme, as well as finance, personnel and office administration matters of the UNFPA Qamishli Sub Office. The Head of Sub-Office reports directly to the International Programme Coordinator and works closely and maintains a technical relationship with the respective Programme and Operations team  at the country office in Damascus (program sections heads, IOM/OM and Deputy Representative); as well as in close collaboration with other UN agencies representatives based in the area. The Head of sub office maintains close coordination and cooperation with other Area Operations units as needed.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:

UNFPA expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. It supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV and AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.  Advancing gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women is a key programme priority of UNFPA defined in UNFPA Strategic Plan (2022-2025).

The primary roles and responsibilities of the Head of Sub-Office include: supporting the implementation of UNFPA mandate issues, in particular SRH, GBV and Youth needs for the area; support the Humanitarian Needs Overview process in the Area of Responsibility including Al Hassakeh, Raqqa and DEZ governorates;  developing and maintaining partnerships with State/local authorities, UN system organizations, multi and bilateral international development agencies, N/INGOs and local communities, and ensure availability of efficient and effective operations management services.

You would be responsible for:

A.            Management and Technical Leadership

• Manages and oversees day-to-day operations of the Sub-Office.
• Oversees and manages the humanitarian, early recovery and development components of the UNFPA Programme operations in the AoR.
• Promotes and facilitates inclusion of UNFPA mandate issues, in particular SRH, GBV and youth needs for the area, into Humanitarian Needs Overview, Syria Humanitarian Response Plan and other appeal processes and documents.
• Continuously conducts environmental scanning and analyses the situation to brief the UNFPA Representative and management team on the socio-economic and political conditions in the area and their implications for UNFPA-supported programs and activities.
• Coordinates with the programme and M&E unit to identify the needs, develop work plans, monitor programme implementation and evaluate UNFPA activities.
• Provides technical and substantive support to implementing partners and state/local officials to facilitate achievement of UNFPA goals in the area.
• Supports resource mobilization and proposal development.
• Represents UNFPA in Area SMT, Area HCT and other UN forums.
• Works with local media agencies to help publicize UNFPA’s work through press releases, radio, articles, documentaries, and contributes to preparation of communication materials.
• Contributes in documenting the best practices and approaches in coordination with the M&E team and Programme Unit.
• Oversee the achievement of program results by ensuring the application of appropriate policies and procedures by the program team. Establish and implement suitable monitoring and oversight mechanisms and systems.

B.            Partnerships and Coordination:

• Initiates evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue with relevant authorities, stakeholders and agencies and advances UNFPA’s policy-oriented agenda, including the reproductive health, youth and gender/ GBV and population data.
• Conducts an inventory of humanitarian/development partners in the area, including national and international NGOs for potential partnership with UNFPA, and in cooperation with Damascus program units ensures that required actions are taken forI  including them, as relevant,  in the delivery of UNFPA humanitarian- and/or development-oriented assistance to the affected population.
• Collaborate with key UN and other international stakeholders, to take into account reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, youth and gender/ GBV issues in their plans, programmes and projects.
• Maintains solid working relationships and constantly shares information with UN agencies/partners, such as WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, OCHA and others coordination forums.
• Coordinates with the Communication Unit to develop communication materials and ensures visibility of UNFPA and its donors.

C.            Office Operations and Management:

• Manages the Qamishli Sub Office Operations Unit staff and in cooperation with CO operation units maintains oversight for the financial and administrative implementation of projects, in line with UNFPA policies and procedures.
• Monitors and analyzes on a continuous basis, substantive, administrative and financial aspects of programmes/projects and organizes and participates in regular evaluation exercises.
• Supports in tracking and monitoring UNFPA’s reproductive health (RH) commodities, dignity kits etc., by establishing a monitoring mechanism/system that takes into account warehouse capacity, access, utilization rate, coverage and distribution.
• Provides to the CO management team monthly work plans, monthly reports and other reports as needed or requested.
• Lead the team of technical programme staff, operations staff through  and provide them with regular mentoring, supervision and capacity building support.
• Carry out any other duties as may be assigned by Supervisor and management.

D.           Strategic and Technical Guidance to the SRH programme coordination and Implementation:

• In close collaboration with the Head of SRH unit and SRH WG in Damascus, Lead the SRH programme and coordination components to facilitate preparedness and emergency response coordination in the NES, ensuring that UNFPA reaches the most vulnerable populations in strategic locations.
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of SRH activities related to the UNFPA humanitarian response program in alignment with local priorities and UNFPA program policies and procedures.
• Strengthen MISP rollout and implementation of SRH programme in the Qamishli AoR through coordination of SRH working group, capacity building of staff and IPs, providing technical guidance and monitoring support to the IPs.
• Engage in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts for the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, such as project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events.
• Undertake any other responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor or UNFPA Representative or officer designated by her.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced degree in social work or other social sciences, population studies, public/community health, medicines, international relations, international law, human rights or related social field;

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in social sciences and program management, experience in sexual and reproductive health, GBV/ gender issues is an asset and their application in international humanitarian and development settings;
• Experience in humanitarian setting and field operations are required;
• Knowledge of the humanitarian reform process and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors;
• Demonstrable knowledge of reproductive health issues and/or protection issues in humanitarian settings, and of humanitarian emergency operations and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors;
• Experience in implementation of roll out of MISP.
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation, and team management skills and ability to establish harmonious working relations in an international and multicultural environment.
• Experience in team management required;

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required, knowledge of Arabic desirable.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,

Embracing cultural diversity,

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda

Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships

Delivering results-based programme

Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

Providing strategic focus, Engaging staff and partners, leading,

developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance,

making decisions and exercise judgment
Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements