Programme and Knowledge Management Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
UN-Habitat is the United Nations agency mandated to promote sustainable urbanization and adequate housing for all. Established to address the challenges of urbanization, UN-Habitat works closely with governments, municipalities, and communities to foster urban recovery, housing, basic urban services, municipal governance, and area-based development. In Syria, UN-Habitat has been actively involved in supporting local authorities and communities to develop urban resilience and recovery strategies, with a focus on collecting urban data and implementing projects that respond to local needs. The organization currently operates in several cities across Syria, including Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Deir Ezzor, and has a dedicated team working towards enhancing urban living conditions and promoting sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Programme and Knowledge Management Advisor will play a crucial role in enhancing the coordination and quality assurance of the UN-Habitat Syria Country Office's programme portfolio. Reporting to the Deputy Country Director, the advisor will be responsible for overseeing programme management, strengthening internal systems, and building capacity across various technical and operational units. This position requires a proactive approach to programme development, portfolio oversight, and grants management, ensuring that all projects align with UN-Habitat's strategic objectives. The advisor will collaborate closely with senior management and technical leads to improve project delivery and management systems, thereby contributing to the overall effectiveness of the organization's efforts in urban recovery and development in Syria.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme and Knowledge Management Advisor will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the Head of the Programme Support Unit in overseeing and coordinating programme management across the country portfolio.
• Managing grants, including donor reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and tracking portfolio performance.
• Strengthening project and grant management systems, tools, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance coordination and accountability.
• Coordinating programme planning and strategic initiatives, including contributions to project management teams and results groups.
• Facilitating knowledge management and information sharing across technical units to promote best practices and lessons learned.
• Supporting communications and advocacy efforts to enhance donor visibility and compliance with UN-Habitat requirements.
• Establishing partnership systems and coordinating with implementing partners to ensure effective programme management.
• Assisting senior management in project proposal coordination, ensuring timely inputs and quality assurance.
• Performing other related duties as required to support the overall objectives of the UN-Habitat Syria Country Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as architecture, engineering, urban planning, international development, public administration, or programme management. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in programme management or coordination of complex development programmes is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong skills in managing multi-donor portfolios, grants management, and monitoring and evaluation. Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring programme quality assurance is essential. Previous experience with the United Nations or other international organizations is highly desirable, particularly in sectors related to recovery, urban development, housing, and municipal governance.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have an advanced university degree in relevant disciplines such as architecture, engineering, urban planning, urban studies, international development, public administration, or programme management. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban development and recovery processes, as well as for effectively managing programmes that address these challenges.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, portfolio management, or coordination of complex development programmes. This experience should include managing multi-donor portfolios, grants management, and donor reporting, as well as coordinating programme development across multidisciplinary teams. Strong experience in programme quality assurance, systems strengthening, and organizational development is also necessary to ensure effective programme delivery and management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. Basic proficiency in Arabic is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local partners and communities in Syria, enhancing the advisor's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at the mid-level seniority level (ICS 10) and is offered on an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) basis for a duration of 12 months. The contract type is IICA - Regular, and the posting start date is September 30, 2026, with an application deadline of October 30, 202

• UN-Habitat emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Background checks will be conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with these standards.