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General Information

Position Title
Senior Programme Manager
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Damascus
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 3
Posting Start Date
20-Apr-2026
Posting End Date
04-May-2026
Duration
12 months

Job Highlight

The Senior Programme Officer (ICS-11) is responsible for coordinating the strategic development, securing resources, providing management support, and facilitating inter-agency collaboration for UNMAS Field Programmes.

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 Project Office

Background: UNMAS Syria Response 


Operating under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2165 (renewed in 2017 with SCR 2393), UNMAS deployed the Syria Response Programme (SRP) at the request of the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in August 2015 and subsequently activated the Mine Action Sub Cluster under the Protection Cluster to address the impact of explosive hazards within Syria. UNMAS is the lead agency for the Mine Action Sub Cluster for the Syria Response. 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 ordnances. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2021 for Syria, 10.3 million people live in communities reporting explosive ordnance contamination; men, women, and children are exposed to the threat of grave injuries and death on a daily basis. Millions of people live with a permanent disability, and new conflict-related trauma cases lead to thousands of permanent disabilities requiring long-term and multi-dimensional support.

About the Group

Background Information – UNMAS


The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is the coordinator for Mine Action within the United Nations system, located within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). It chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and is the lead of the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR). Mine action comprises five areas of work: clearance, risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction. The United Nations applies mine action expertise to an increasingly wide range of explosive hazards, from unexploded missiles, artillery shells, rockets, grenades and mortars, to unsafe and unsecured weapons and ammunition, improvised explosive devices and cluster bombs. UNMAS leads, coordinates and carries out efforts to mitigate these threats when mandated by the United Nations Security Council or, when requested by the Secretary-General or an affected country, often in response to a humanitarian emergency.

Job Specific Context

UNMAS Syria 

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 NA AoR in Syria, coordinating efforts under the broader humanitarian framework.

Role Purpose

1. Programme development, planning and coordination

2. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities

3. Programme management support

4. Stakeholder coordination and inter-agency collaboration

5. Knowledge management and document management

6. People management

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Programme development planning and coordination


• Coordinate the development and articulation 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. Ensure CPS reflects in-house capacity, budget, typology of delivery areas and the internal tools and knowledge resources. 

• Support the management team to translate the Strategy into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.

• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes. 


2. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities


• Monitor humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity. 

• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in programme design as relevant. 

• Coordinate the identification, design, and formulation of new activities to meet programme objectives.

• Coordinate preparation of programme documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.

• Draft and/or review funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

• In coordination with headquarters Resource Mobilization personnel, support the review, submission, negotiation, and signature of funding agreements.


3. Programme management support


• Analyze funding agreements and develop compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management team to meet requirements of funding agreements, in coordination with HQ. 

• In collaboration with relevant personnel, establish monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements. 

• Provide review/input to scopes of work for procurement processes to ensure the requirements of the relevant funding sources are reflected in agreements with implementing partners. Review implementing partner reports to ensure requirements are being met. 

• 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 headquarters, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, Coordinate budget and activity revisions to funding 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; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.

• Coordinate communications between the Country Programme office and the headquarters Programme, Portfolio Management, and Risk, Quality and Partnership teams to support compliance to programme documents and funding agreements, and the implementation of policies, processes and methods according to internal standards.


4. Stakeholder coordination and inter-agency collaboration


• Establish and build relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.

• Participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required. 

• Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.

• Coordinate, 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 Response plan, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office. 

• Support the applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.

• Support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of Country Programme 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. 


5. Knowledge management 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, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance

• Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes. 


6. People management (if applicable)


• Perform the programme team manager role, unless appointed to another person(s).

• Ensure the effective planning, recruitment and development of a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.

• Lead and motivate the programme team.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff).


**

Carry out any other related duties as needed.

Skills

Fundraising, Knowledge Management, Stakeholder Management
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Advanced University Degree with seven years of relevant experience is required
  • University degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with nine years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree.


Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.


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.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
ArabicFluentDesirable

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.