Head of Office (HoO)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was formed as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality. UN Women has been operational in Syria since the 1990s, initially under UNIFEM, and has adapted its focus in response to the ongoing Syrian crisis, emphasizing women's empowerment and gender equality across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The Head of Office (HoO) is responsible for leading and managing the UN Women Syria Country Office (CO) portfolio. This role involves translating UN Women's Strategic Plan into actionable development initiatives aligned with regional and national priorities. The HoO will oversee the design and implementation of programs aimed at women's economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, and advancing commitments to women, peace, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The position requires collaboration with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and donors to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. The HoO will also manage the office's operational goals, ensuring compliance with UN Women’s regulations and fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the strategic country programme planning and development, including the formulation of the Country Strategic Note in consultation with stakeholders.
• Provide substantive advice to senior management on regional strategy and programming.
• Lead the monitoring of results-based management approaches.
• Oversee the implementation of operational goals and ensure compliance with work plans and budgets.
• Manage personnel performance and development, ensuring adherence to UN Women’s standards of conduct.
• Serve as a member of the UN Country Team, integrating gender equality into UN programming processes.
• Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums and advocate for gender equality.
• Develop resource mobilization strategies and manage donor relationships.
• Ensure the safety and security of personnel and organizational assets. 1
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics, public policy, or social sciences.
• A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted.
• Project/programme management certification (PMP®, PRINCE2®, or MSP®) is an advantage.
• Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills.
• Strong people management skills in a multicultural environment.
• Results-oriented with the ability to develop operational plans and budgets.
• Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment issues.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as development, economics, public policy, or social sciences. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A project/programme management certification is considered an added advantage.

Experience:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience is required, particularly in strategic and managerial leadership roles within international development cooperation. Experience in gender and women's issues programming at the international level, especially in conflict-affected settings like Syria, is highly desirable. Candidates should have experience leading and coaching staff in international contexts and be proficient in using office software and web-based management systems.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable, enhancing communication and engagement with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves leading a team of four direct reports and additional affiliate personnel. UN Women promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification.