Technical Project Officer

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The primary role of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is to help countries achieve sustainable development, reduce poverty, and promote democratic governance, peace, and resilience. 

The work of UNDP in 170 countries around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to two critical roles at country level: (a) as an integrator across policy, programmatic and organizational silos; and (b) as an operational backbone for the United Nations and other partners. 

Over the last 14 years, the Syrian population has suffered catastrophic losses; the displacement of 14 million citizens from their homes; a collective grief for the half a million lives lost in conflict; despair for those who were missing, detained or imprisoned for their political opposition.

In response to the evolving situation in Syria after 8 December 2024, UNDP Syria has developed a new Programme Offer, outlining targeted activities to address the needs of the immediate and mid-term transition period (1 to 3 years) in the following three priority domains: (1) Governance and Basic Services, (2) Socio-Economic Recovery, and (3) Climate and Energy. Under these three headings are six projects, including Gender. 

In this context, UNDP Syria is looking for a dynamic and experienced Technical Project Officer to support the design and implementation of gender-responsive interventions that promote equality, empower women and girls, and ensure inclusive development, while taking into account the specific needs and challenges of the local context.

Scope of Work 

Under the direct supervision of the Gender Project Manager, and in coordination with the Gender programme and relevant operations units, the Technical Project Officer will provide hands-on technical and coordination support to ensure effective implementation of gender-related targeted initiatives and the mainstreaming of gender equality across UNDP Syria’s portfolio, including the pillars of Socioeconomic Recovery, Governance, and Climate/Resilience.

Technical Implementation and Support

• Support and drive the day-to-day implementation of gender-related activities in accordance with the Annual Work Plan (AWP), ensuring timely and quality delivery of interventions. Undertake regular field missions to liaise with implementing partners and solve implementation bottlenecks.
• Assist project teams in identifying gender gaps and provide hands-on technical support for integrating gender considerations throughout the project cycle (design, implementation, M&E).
• Contribute to drafting and reviewing ToRs, concept notes, training materials, and reports, ensuring the integration of gender-specific indicators, tools, and methodologies.
• Promote the collection, use, and analysis of sex- and age-disaggregated data (SADD) to inform programming and track gender equality outcomes.
• Support cross-unit coordination with Area Offices, implementing partners, and operations teams to facilitate gender-responsive planning and troubleshooting during implementation.
• Ensure that gender targeted and mainstreaming activities encompass the four critical gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) domains: economic empowerment, political participation and leadership, access to education, and health services, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized women.
• Support the integration of peacebuilding, social cohesion, and WPS/YPS dimensions in gender-related activities, especially in conflict-affected areas or communities with high levels of displacement
• Strengthen staff capacity through technical sessions, on-the-job coaching, and mentoring to enhance understanding of gender concepts and integration practices.
• Liaise regularly with the Gender Programme Analyst to ensure consistency of gender mainstreaming approaches and alignment with UNDP's gender equality commitments.

Coordination and Partnerships for Gender Equality

• Facilitate technical coordination between the Gender Project and other UNDP projects to ensure gender is systematically mainstreamed across all programmatic pillars.
• Encourage and support the development of projects that meet the criteria for GEN2 (significant gender objective) and GEN3 (principal gender objective), in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Contribute to the identification and vetting of civil society partners, particularly women-led organizations, that can support implementation of gender-focused initiatives.
• Support and invest in the sustainability, visibility, and engagement of local women’s networks and platforms previously supported by UNDP, ensuring they are leveraged for community mobilization, policy dialogue, and social cohesion.
• Assist in the design and rollout of gender advocacy activities and campaigns (e.g., International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism), in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Ensure that project communications and outreach materials reflect inclusive, gender-responsive messaging across both online and offline platforms.
• Foster collaboration with internal gender coordination mechanisms, including the Gender Focal Team, National Gender Analyst, and PSEA Focal Point.
• Engage with peacebuilding and social cohesion projects to ensure women's leadership and participation are reflected in mediation, dialogue, and community stabilization activities, aligned with WPS commitments.
• Support knowledge exchange by sharing lessons learned, good practices, and tools for gender mainstreaming with colleagues and partners.. 

Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting

• Support project teams in developing gender-responsive indicators and integrating them into project M&E frameworks.
• Assist with data collection, synthesis, and reporting to ensure the visibility of gender outcomes and alignment with corporate gender reporting requirements.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess implementation progress, identify challenges, and provide technical feedback to the Gender Programme Analyst and the Project Management Unit.
• Contribute to the preparation of project reports, briefing notes, and documentation of lessons learned for internal and external use.
• Provide inputs to gender-related sections of UNDP’s corporate and donor reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with UNDP’s gender marker requirements.
• Ensure reporting captures progress in GEWE focus areas (economic, political, education, health) and contributions to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and WPS priorities, including women’s roles in crisis response, recovery, and leadership.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The  Project Technical Officer reports to the Gender Project Manager and collaborates closely with the Gender Analyst, Area teams staff, HR, Procurement, Programme and other relevant departments as needed.

Competencies

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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