Background
The Assad regime has ended with extraordinary speed and having endured seemingly perpetual suffering loss and oppression, the Syrian people now face the prospect of a new future. Over the last 14 years Syrians have suffered catastrophic losses; the displacement of 14 million citizens from their homes; a collective grief for the half a million lives lost in conflict; despair for those who were detained or imprisoned for their political opposition. Syrians have lived through the severity of protracted crisis with no real signs of a political process or solution, existing within a complete lack of accountability for the suffering endured.
For the first time in more than a decade the prospect of peace exists, albeit a precarious possibility that is complicated by the tolls and divisions endemic to protracted crisis conditions. The end of the Assad regime now presents the opportunity for a new Syria that Syrians themselves must be supported to determine.
It is paramount that UNDP together with the wider UN family, supports the Syrian people on a path towards peace and stability. The gains made to counter risks of further dissolution and to safeguard basic services and civil space in the transitional period, will determine much for the prospects of a peaceful transition to a new government of the Syrian people’s own choosing. The actions of UNDP to identify and respond to these immediate and critical needs of the Syrian people, appropriate to the conditions on the ground, will offer a vital channel of support to the collective efforts of the UN to protect and uphold a route towards peace.
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) 2022–2025 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. Similarly, the next CPD (2026-2030) will take the above priorities and the changing context into account.
The Programme Team is responsible for the design, oversight, and quality assurance of all projects and programmes, ensuring full alignment with the priorities set out in the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The team plays a central role in advancing UNDP Syria’s three programmatic pillars: socio-economic recovery and social cohesion; local governance and social basic services; and energy, environment, and disaster risk reduction. By providing technical expertise and high-level advice, the team ensures that all programme outcomes contribute to the strategic objectives of UNDP and the broader UN system.
Programme staff actively engage with diverse stakeholders, including government entities, development partners, civil society, private sector actors, and UNDP’s regional and headquarters offices, to foster partnerships, share knowledge, and catalyze innovative solutions. The team leads resource mobilization efforts, develops strategic partnerships, and identifies opportunities for new initiatives, including joint programming. Throughout the programme cycle, the team adheres to UNDP’s quality standards and policies, ensuring the effective implementation of activities that align with the strategic direction of the Country Office and the broader UN cooperation framework. By maintaining strong partnerships with governments, development institutions, UN agencies, and donors, the Programme Team plays a pivotal role in addressing Syria’s recovery and resilience needs.
Within the Syria Country Office (CO), the Operations Team provides essential backbone support services, including finance, programme finance management, procurement, human resources, digital services, logistics. The team also ensures compliance with corporate policies and provides demand-driven common services to other UN agencies in Syria. Administrative support, including protocol, visa facilitation, and travel, is provided to UNDP staff and project personnel.
The Management Support Unit supports corporate alignment, and quality assurance. It collaborates with programme teams on results monitoring and reporting while providing strategic guidance to ensure high standards of delivery.
The Security Unit advise on the protection of, and minimizing the risk to, UNDP staff, eligible dependents, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the country.
The Strategic Communications Team supports all programme interventions by managing public outreach, knowledge sharing, and advocacy efforts to highlight UNDP Syria’s impact and mobilize support for its mission.
The Partnerships & Reporting unit spearheads resource mobilization, manages donor relations, and develops strategic partnerships while ensuring transparent reporting and communication on programme outcomes to donors and stakeholders.
The Strategic Policy unit provides high-level guidance and ensures alignment of UNDP Syria’s programmes with corporate priorities, international frameworks, and the evolving needs of the Syrian context, focusing on resilience, recovery, and sustainable development.
The Area-Based Programme unit tailors interventions to local needs through decentralized planning and implementation, prioritizing community-driven recovery, resilience-building, and sustainable development across Syria’s diverse and complex regions.
The Risk Management Unit identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks associated with programme implementation, particularly in Syria’s complex operating environment, to safeguard resources, maintain compliance, and uphold UNDP’s integrity and accountability.
The Joint Programme Unit coordinates collaborative initiatives with UN agencies and partners, ensuring alignment with the broader UN strategic framework and maximizing the impact of multi-agency programmes in Syria.
Position Purpose:
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, the Communications Assistant supports the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the office to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP.
The Communications Assistant works in close collaboration with the CO Programme, Operations and project staff, and UNDP Regional Communications staff, as required.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities 1.) Supports the implementation of communication and outreach strategies in the country office.
Extract data from various sources. Research and retrieve news from different news outlets. Maintain information database and photo library. Provide budgetary support for different communication activities and needs. Enter information such as travel claims and creation of vendors in electronic systems and databases.2.) Support implementation of country office publications strategy and plan.
Provide support in sharing information for different publications, both internal and external. Maintain contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure production and dissemination of publications. 3.) Support maintenance of country office web-based knowledge management system. Assist in updating CO website in line with corporate guidelines. Maintain database of digital content for web sites and social media platforms. Prepare TORs for hiring vendors and suppliers to create content for digital communications. 4.) Provide input to and support implementation of country office communication campaign and advocacy initiatives to increase awareness of UNDP’s mandate and goals through dissemination of information and organization of public and media events. Disseminate information and publications; assist with public events such as roundtable discussions, seminars, press briefings and conferences, and interviews. Provide logistical support to UNDP campaigns, joint UN campaigns and/or events (UNSDCF, UN Day, World AIDS Day), and to the organization of other publicity/outreach/promotional opportunities for country office programme and projects. Provide administrative and logistical support to the communications team for initiatives such as media workshops, project visits, and report launches. Gather information as input to reports on progress of campaign and advocacy activities. 5.) Provide support to Communications team in knowledge management and dissemination. Collect knowledge products from programmes and projects and archive them properly. Upload content on Internal database and website guided by the Communications Associate. Work with suppliers and vendors as and when necessary Provide any other logistic support. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: NoneCompetencies Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here
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: Appreciates/respects differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronts discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audienceAbility to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed. Communications Digital asset management Ability to use digital asset management (DAM) systems to effectively store, share and organize digital assets such as images, videos and other media Communications Multimedia writing/editing Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia Communications Social Media management Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks Communications Writing and editing Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary education is required. Or A university degree in communications, journalism, advertising, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.Experience:
Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in communications, public relations and/or administration is required. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required. Knowledge of and experience with Adobe software solutions (Photoshop, Audition, Premiere, etc.) is an asset. Proven experience in editorial work and content writing for various media platforms (editorials, press releases, blogs, articles, newsletters), including research and writing focused on UN-related thematic areas. A published body of work is a strong asset. Experience in managing and producing content for digital communications (social media platforms, websites, online platforms), with strong knowledge of social networking trends and tools is highly desirable. Demonstrated ability in photography, video creation/editing, basic graphic design, and developing visually engaging communications materials such as infographics is an advantage. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse professional teams, exercise sound judgment, and adapt effectively to changing situations is an asset. Experience organizing events and managing media relations/publicity is desirable. Familiarity with administrative tasks, including procurement, logistics, and general office support, is desirable.Language Requirements :
Fluency in English and Arabic is required
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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