Location:

Damascus, Syria
Salary:

$55,000 - $75,000 / YEAR
Posted:

5 months ago
Category:
Deadline:

01/01/1970

JOB DESCRIPTION

Office/Unit/Project Description:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to crises and disasters. Working with our vast network of experts and partners in over 170 countries, we help nations to create integrated and lasting solutions for people and the planet.

UNDP Syria operates in a highly complex and challenging environment, shaped by over a decade of conflict, widespread displacement, economic instability, and recurrent natural disasters. The Syria Country Programme focuses on three critical areas: 1) Promoting socio-economic recovery and social cohesion; 2) Strengthening local governance and basic social services; and 3) Supporting climate change adaptation and natural resource management. The programme emphasizes an area-based approach to tailor interventions to the specific needs of local communities and supports the vision of sustainable peace and recovery for all Syrians.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022–2024 are fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. They prioritize resilience-building efforts while addressing the pressing humanitarian-development nexus. UNDP Syria aims to bridge immediate recovery needs with long-term development goals, focusing on inclusive governance, equitable access to basic services, sustainable livelihoods, and climate action.

In Syria, UNDP has adopted a highly principled approach to the delivery of its mandate in providing critical support to crisis-affected communities. Acknowledging the sensitivities of the operational context, UNDP’s activities in Syria are further informed by bespoke measures to mainstream a do-no-harm approach based on a thorough context analysis, to ensure effective safeguarding measures are applied across all areas of operation in response to the multifaced challenges of the Syrian context in terms of economic development, social protection, service delivery, local governance, as well as climate change. In this regard, UNDP Syria is looking for a Technical Officer who can support UNDP’s immediate interventions on Climate Change Mitigation.

Scope of Work:

Participating in Needs Assessment & Project Concept Notes Development:

Participate in the needs assessment processes of the targeted locations in order to identify the needed plan including the procedures, items and equipment related to electricity and renewable energies.
Collect and analyze relevant technical, and environmental related information, data and/or statistics to support the identification of climate change mitigation priorities as well as delivery of project outcomes/outputs.
Provide inputs for developing project documents and concept notes.
Participate in conducting risk assessments as well as social and environmental assessments.
Proactively engage with UNDP-led Early Recovery Sector in terms of needs assessments, joint programming; monitoring and evaluation and meetings.
Actively liaise with local authorities, NGOs, community groups, cooperatives, civil society organizations, and local technical government entities.

Reviews and assesses technical design documents for proposed interventions;

Prepare the BOQs, specifications, Guarantee Schedules and design documents for equipment and works related to electricity and renewable energies.
Develop critical analysis of the required equipment and ensure that the equipment/requirement is compatible with the requirements;
Follow up on the preparation of specifications with the respective authorities or Engineering Consultant and verify the specifications and coordinate with relevant Procurement colleague before finalizing the tender document.
Ensure timely submission of the specifications of the required equipment in coordination and cooperation with the other teams from relevant stakeholders.

Provides effective support throughout all stages of Tendering Processes;

Ensure that necessary supporting documentation is in place prior to issuance of tender
Verify the specifications and coordinate with Procurement Team before initiating the procurement process;
Respond to queries arise from procurement unit and review committees related to BoQs and technical specifications.
Participate in pre-bid meetings and respond to queries from potential national/international bidders on the technical specifications.
Participate in Technical Review Committee meetings and review all bids against the advertised evaluation criteria and submitted technical specifications.

Provides effective support throughout all stages of Project Implementation

Attend Kick-off meetings upon the start of project implementation.
Monitor the physical implementation of the approved project through site visit to ensure compliance with the requirement as stated in the sign contract.
Supervise all locations where the equipment needs to be installed and provide updates and recommendation to UNDP accordingly;
Advice, monitor and manage the operational phase of the facilities and procured equipment on behalf of UNDP and in coordination with the respective Governorate and /or the line ministries directorates.
Provide regular monitoring reports and inputs to the overall project progress report.
Check materials received at construction/renovation sites against damages, missing parts and appropriate ratings; ensuring that the materials/equipment provided by the Contractor meets UNDP requirement and standards.
Discuss site issues with the Contractor and promptly report back to UNDP if a problem arises that requires UNDP input.
Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the project actions and the operations of the outcomes.
Checks and certify substantial progress/completion and the corresponding payments. Advice UNDP to withhold payment for any work which has been rejected or any work which is not in compliance with the contract documents.
Prepare Variation Orders that impact the Contract value.
Maintain project progress log and issue certificates, notices and instructions in consultation with UNDP to the contractor as may be required by the provisions of the contract requirements.
Advice UNDP on the value of the works at the date of termination, in the event of the termination of the contract.
Manage risks at the local level and inform Area Manager about any issues that would impede implementation.
Assist UNDP as expert witness in litigation arising from the development or installation of equipment.
Ensure that the Contractor maintain safety on Site and clean the site after the completion of the rehabilitation works.
Ensure all project documentation (progress reports, consultations, lessons learns and other technical reports, minutes of meetings, etc.) are properly maintained in hard and electronic copies in an efficient and readily accessible filing system.

Strategic partnerships and coordination with key stakeholders

Map, identify, and prioritize potential partners, engaging in discussions and negotiations with stakeholders such as government bodies, local authorities, private sector entities, microfinance institutions (MFIs), associations, NGOs, and community-based organizations (CBOs).
Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
Support the Area Manager in key operational procedures, including drafting grant and partnership agreements, processing payment requests, and handling other essential operational tasks.
Perform any other duties related to goals and objectives as requested by the supervisor.

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the direct supervision of the area manager and technical guidance of the relevant Programme Manager(s) for Climate Change.

Competencies:

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area: Business Direction & Strategy (System Thinking )

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Thematic Area: Business Management (Monitoring & Evaluation )

Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;
Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.
Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client”s upcoming needs and concerns.

Thematic Area: Business Development (Knowledge Generation )

Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Thematic Area: Business Management (Communication )

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Thematic Area: Business Management (Partnership Management )

Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Thematic Area: Procurement (Contract Management )

Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Thematic Area: Administration & Operations (Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings))

Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA:

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Electrical or renewable energy Engineering Or a related field is required, or
A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical or renewable energy Engineering are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in climate changes, renewable energy or relevant related field.

Required skills

Experience in handling of tender documents for turnkey contracts, including technical inputs/specifications for the procurement of services using the conditions of international lending/funding agencies

Preparation of work progress reports, daily, weekly, milestone, etc

Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and liaison with authorities.

Experience in supervising rehabilitation works and managing projects.

Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Five years of experience in the electrical and construction sector including Transmission & Distribution substations, overhead lines, complex construction projects and renewable energies

The proven ability to plan and priorities work activities to meet organizational goals and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results.