Project Implementation and Engineering Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the UN agency dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable urban development and adequate housing for all. Established by the UN General Assembly in 1978, UN-Habitat has over four decades of experience in addressing urban growth challenges. The agency plays a crucial role in implementing the New Urban Agenda, which was adopted at Habitat III in 2016, and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. UN-Habitat operates in multiple countries, focusing on urban development and housing issues.

Job Overview:
The Project Implementation and Engineering Advisor will report to the Deputy Country Director and work under the overall supervision of the Country Director. This position is crucial for supporting UN-Habitat Syria in strengthening systems, procedures, and technical standards for the operational, administrative, and technical delivery of its projects. The advisor will be responsible for improving knowledge of and adherence to procurement systems, standards, and procedures. They will also develop standard specifications and documentation, establish oversight mechanisms for project implementation, and enhance coordination between program, operations, and field hub teams. This role is essential for ensuring that projects are implemented effectively and efficiently, contributing to the overall mission of UN-Habitat in Syria.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review existing project implementation modalities and identify operational gaps in procurement, contracting, field implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Establish standardized systems for project management oversight, including tracking tools, implementation monitoring processes, and reporting templates.
• Support program teams to ensure timely and quality implementation of field projects and contracts with implementing partners.
• Provide technical guidance to project managers and engineers on implementation modalities and operational compliance.
• Identify and develop improvements for monitoring and evaluation of physical projects.
• Review existing procurement documentation including Bills of Quantities (BoQs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs), and Calls for Proposals (CFPs) to ensure efficient project delivery.
• Develop standardized project documentation and processes tailored to common urban project types.
• Establish guidance notes and internal procedures for procurement planning, evaluation, and contract management.
• Ensure all contractor activities comply with contractual terms, project requirements, technical specifications, and UN-Habitat policies. 1
• Track contract performance indicators (KPIs), timelines, milestones, and financial commitments. 1
• Develop systems for Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and pre-qualified vendor rosters for frequently procured services and works. 1
• Support the procurement team in establishing effective vendor selection processes and evaluation methodologies. 1
• Contribute to improved coordination between program teams, field engineers, and operations staff during project design and implementation stages. 1
• Develop training modules and operational guidance materials for project managers, engineers, and operational staff. 1
• Deliver training workshops on procurement procedures, project implementation standards, and contract management.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in procurement, operations management, business administration, engineering, architecture, urban planning, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is strongly preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as procurement, operations management, business administration, engineering, architecture, urban planning, or a related discipline. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification is highly desirable and preferred for this role.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in project management, program management, or project coordination within international development, public sector, engineering, urban planning, infrastructure, or related fields is required. Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is desirable. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in establishing project implementation and procurement-related systems, technical standards, or operational procedures for infrastructure or development projects. Experience working in Syria or similar contexts is considered an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while basic proficiency in Arabic is desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, with English being the primary language for professional communication.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at the senior level (ICS 11) and is a full-time role with a contract duration of 12 months. The contract type is ICA - IICA - Regular, and the position is based in Damascus, Syria. Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not request candidates to make payments during the recruitment process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments. UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunity, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups.