Operations Senior Assistant - Risk Education
Operations
Damascus, Syria
Job Highlight
About the Region
About the Region
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.
About the Group
About the Group
Background: UNMAS Syria Programme
UNMAS Syria, with its office based in Damascus, plays a central role in coordinating humanitarian mine action across Syria. UNMAS also actively supports the broader United Nations Country Team (UNCT) by enabling safe access for humanitarian and development operations. UNMAS also works closely with the Syrian Government which has designated the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management (MoEDM) as the national focal point for mine action. As part of its strategic support, UNMAS is actively coordinating advising on the establishment of a national mine action authority and mine action centre, by providing strategic and technical advice and developing a comprehensive roadmap for institutional development and technical capacity. In addition, UNMAS serves as the lead agency for the Mine Action Area of Responsibility ( MA AoR) in Syria, coordinating efforts under the broader humanitarian framework.
Job Specific Context
Job Specific Context
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 ordnances. 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.
Role Purpose
Role Purpose
Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the EORE Unit, the EORE assistant will support the management of EORE. This will include actions from the design of EORE to the measurement of its impact.
The incumbent supports UNMAS efforts to strengthen standardized and quality-managed EORE delivery in line with applicable International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) and UNMAS guidance
Functions / Key Results Expected
Functions / Key Results Expected
Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the EORE Unit, the incumbent will:
Assist with the management of EORE delivery, including:
● Provide administrative and logistical assistance in the preparation of EORE delivery and other department activities.
● Assist in preparation and presentation of pre-established EORE programs in accordance with given procedures and standards.
● Assist in planning and design of EORE department training packages, including EORE Facilitator training.
● Provide Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions to humanitarian personnel, UN, INGO and NGO staff.
● Assist in developing Training Management Packages (TMP), training kits and project related materials.
● Assist in developing new methods and initiatives relevant to EORE.
● Assist in monitoring and evaluation of EORE, tools and techniques.
● Keep records of all planned and executed EORE activities.
● Assist in preparing EORE reports and statistics as required.
● Assist in interpretation and translation when necessary.
● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Assist the quality management of EORE, including:
● Assist in the identification of communities needs, vulnerabilities and capabilities.
● Assist in the accreditation of EORE capacities, including desk review of Standard Operating Procedures, EORE messaging and on-site assessments. desk review of the EORE technical procedures, internal Quality Assurance (QA) procedures and data management, documentation and reporting processes.
● Assist in the implementation of monitoring activities, including through field visits to the appointed worksites, and ensure that activities are implemented according to plans and standards.
● Fill the QA form, draft QA reports, log reports accurately and in a timely manner.
● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
● Monitor and evaluate UNMAS implementing partner’s activities.
● Assist in meetings with implementing partners.
● Assist in developing a capacity building plan for implementing partners.
● Assist in conducting refresher training to the implementing partner if required.
● Provide inputs to project reports in coordination with supervisors and the IM section.
● Keep records of hard copies and soft copies.
● Coordinate with supervisors and relevant support departments if special travel approval or procedures should be taken for QA visits.
● Keep records of all planned and executed M&E activities.
● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
Assist the coordination of EORE, including:
● Assist in liaising with concerned partners and authorities (including military and security officials) for EORE and VA coordination and monitoring.
Assist with other support, including:
● Assist in preparing task files (e.g. Tasking Orders; Implementation Plan) and other documents related to implementing partners as per supervisor request.
● Assist in arranging the warehouse and keep records of RE Material and stationary storage and distribution.
● Assist in handling RE materials and their preparation for distribution.
● Assist in documenting RE activities by: photographing - uploading and categorizing image and video files.
● Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Skills
Skills
Competencies
Competencies
Education Requirements
Education Requirements
Required
Secondary Education (high school or equivalent) with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience or;
First Level University degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in any field of study, with a minimum of one (1) year of relevant work experience.
Experience Requirements
Experience Requirements
Required
Experience in delivering EORE with a recognized organisation is required;
Experience in delivering training is required;
Knowledge of computers and MS Office or similar is required;
Experience in drafting and report writing is required.
Desired
Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
Experience in community-based education and public information campaigns and communications is desired
Language Requirements
Language Requirements
| Language | Proficiency Level | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| English | Fluent | Required |
| Arabic | Fluent | Required |
Additional Information
Additional Information
- UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
- Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
- UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
- We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
- UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- For more details about the contract types, please click here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.