Background: UNMAS Syria Programme
Operating under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2165 (renewed in 2017 with SCR 2393), UNMAS deployed to Syria at the request of the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in August 2015 and subsequently activated the Mine Action Sub Sector under the Protection Sector to address the impact of explosive hazards within Syria. UNMAS acted as the lead agency for the Mine Action Sub sector for Syria. 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 ordinances. According to the Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Needs Response Plan(HNRP) 2026, over 14.3 million Syrians are estimated to be at risk of explosive ordnance (EO) contamination; men, women, and children are exposed to the threat of grave injuries and death on a daily basis.
Mitigating EO risks and supporting survivors are a key priority given the scale of EO contamination with 2335 civilian casualties recorded between December 2024 and June 2026.
UNMAS play a central role in reducing harm through non-technical survey, EO disposal and clearance, inclusive risk education integrated with critical services such as education, agriculture, and cash/livelihoods, and sensitive community engagement, while facilitating referrals to survey and clearance actors where feasible.
The Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Advisor provides strategic and operational leadership for the planning, coordination and delivery of the UNMAS Country Programme, including programme strategy, workplanning, resource mobilization, funding and performance management.
As Officer-in-Charge of the Programme Section, the role coordinates with UN, government, donor and mine action stakeholders, ensures effective reporting, risk and knowledge management, and provides leadership and support to the programme team to achieve programme results.
Under the supervisor of Senior Programme Officer (SPO), and as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Programme Section, the Programme Management Advisor’s duties and responsibilities are as follows:
Programme development planning and coordination
Coordinate the development, articulation and periodic review 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.
Support the management team to formulate the CPS and Workplan, and ensure these strategy documents reflect in-house capacity, budget, typology of delivery areas and the internal and institutional tools and knowledge resources.
Support the management team to translate the CPS into implementation/results Workplan and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme activities.
Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at UNMAS HQ and UNOPS PSC to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.
Development and support resource mobilization opportunities
Monitor humanitarian and development trends, priorities and emerging needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity.
Stay abreast of developments in mine action policies, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), conflict sensitivity, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), sustainability, and environment. Ensure GESI and PSEAH standards are integrated into programme design, concept notes, proposals, and workplans, consistent with the UNOPS GESI Mainstreaming Strategy 2026–2029 and the UNMAS Gender Guidelines for Mine Action Programmes (3rd edition, 2019).
Coordinate the identification, design, and formulation of new programme activities in line with programme objectives and strategic priorities.
Accompany and support the management team in resource mobilization efforts, including bilateral donor meetings, donor forums, and international conferences.
Coordinate and, as required, take the lead of preparation of resource mobilization documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.
In coordination with headquarters relevant personnel, support the review, submission, negotiation, and signature of funding agreements, ensuring consistency with programme priorities and requirements.
Programme management support
In collaboration with the Support Services team and relevant HQ personnel, review and analyze funding agreements and develop compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management team to meet requirements of funding agreements.
In collaboration with relevant personnel, particularly Support Services, establish monitoring mechanisms to track programme delivery and performance against targets and commitments outlined in funding agreements including GESI and PSEAH requirements and any related donor conditions. Where programme data permits, ensure reports reflect sex- and age-disaggregated data on programme beneficiaries, consistent with UNMAS reporting standards. Share findings relevant to GESI and PSEAH performance with the PSC GEDSI Advisor.
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 HQ, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, coordinate budget and activity revisions to contribution and financial 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. Conduct research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
Ensure the timely preparation and updates of the regular document, including but not limited to the quarterly reports, quarterly review discussion materials, bi-weekly update, and risk/issue logs.
Stakeholder coordination and inter-agency collaboration
Establish, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with UN entities, international organizations, donors, government counterparts, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
Act as delegated focal point in the relevant inter-agency (UNCT, PMT and other Technical Working Groups), UN mission, donor and intergovernmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required.
Contribute to UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
Support and 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, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
Coordinate and provide timely and substantive responses to requests for information, inputs and technical or programme contributions from internal and external stakeholders, such as Mine Action Review.
Support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximize communication impact and outreach and build awareness of CPS 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.
Knowledge 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, document and share the best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches arising from programme implementation to improve overall programme performance.
Contribute to the systematic management and regular updating of risk management and issue logs and processes for appropriate mitigation measures.
People management
As the OIC of the programme section, provide day-to-day leadership, support and motivate the programme team, promotion effective teamwork, accountability, performance and staff development.
Create, foster and role-model a safe, inclusive culture and work environment for all personnel. Ensure zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse, and that the highest standards of conduct are observed; and ensure that all personnel under supervision, including contracted personnel, are aware of and comply with PSEAH obligations and reporting channels.
Share skills, knowledge and experience with other programme officers and provide guidance, mentoring and support to newly recruited or less experienced programme colleagues to facilitate their effective integration and professional development.
Post may include regular travel to different accessible areas of Syria.