Field Project Associate

Job Highlight

This role provides a unique opportunity to directly influence the quality, efficiency, and accountability of UN‑Habitat’s field implementation across Syria. The Field Project Associate will be at the heart of coordinating contractor performance, resolving implementation challenges, and supporting the Project Manager to ensure that sub‑projects are delivered in alignment with community needs and organizational standards. By working closely with diverse stakeholders - including contractors, field engineers, community representatives, and project management - the role offers an engaging environment where proactive leadership and strong coordination contribute to tangible improvements in urban recovery and service delivery.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UN-Habitat’s Syria Country Programme has worked closely with Syrian cities and communities to develop an urban resilience and recovery approach. UN-Habitat supports local authorities and communities to collect better urban data to reach a common understanding of urban recovery needs; jointly identify neighborhood and municipal area response priorities, straddling humanitarian, resilience-building and recovery phases; and to design and implement housing, infrastructure and basic services, urban environment, and urban cultural heritage projects that directly respond to these local priorities. UN-Habitat Syria currently has offices in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Deir Ezzor, operationalizing projects across the country.

About the Group

UN-Habitat’s Aleppo hub is responsible for overseeing coordination, partnerships and project implementation in northern Syria. The hub supports recovery planning, rehabilitation of infrastructure, public spaces, housing and public buildings, cultural heritage preservation, strengthening Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights, and capacity building of local authorities, among other activities.

Job Specific Context

UN‑Habitat’s project portfolio in Syria relies on robust and well‑coordinated field implementation, particularly in the areas of infrastructure rehabilitation, urban upgrading, and basic service delivery. Projects are implemented through contractors and technical partners, requiring close oversight to ensure adherence to approved specifications. The Field Project Associate plays a central role in linking strategic project objectives with day‑to‑day field implementation, ensuring that sub‑projects are executed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with contractual obligations. Working as part of the Aleppo team, the Field Project Associate collaborates closely with Field Engineers, contractors, the Project Manager, and relevant technical colleagues. The role requires strong organizational and coordination capabilities, a deep understanding of the technical and contractual framework of each sub‑project, and the ability to document and follow up on progress in a systematic and accountable manner. This position operates in a dynamic field context where frequent issue‑resolution, rapid decision‑making, and consistent documentation are essential to maintaining quality and compliance across all stages of implementation.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to support the delivery of UN-Habitat projects in a timely, high-quality, compliant, and well‑documented manner, in line with contractual requirements and UN‑Habitat’s standard operating procedures. The Field Project Associate supports continuous follow‑up on contractor performance, coordinates regular technical meetings, supports the enforcement of corrective actions when deviations occur, and maintains comprehensive documentation of all communications and field reports.

The role serves as the key focal point between field monitoring and strategic oversight - translating technical observations from Field Engineers into coordinated action plans with contractors, and escalating issues to the Project Manager when required. By doing so, the Field Project Associate helps safeguard the quality, integrity, and accountability of field project implementation

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the daily supervision of the Aleppo Hub Manager, and working with assigned Project Managers and Field Engineers, the Field Project Associate is expected to:

• Monitor sub‑project implementation against approved work plans, technical documents, and contractual requirements, ensuring timely and quality delivery.

• Review field visit reports, follow up on identified issues, and coordinate closely with Field Engineers to ensure corrective actions are implemented.

• Conduct regular coordination meetings with contractors, document discussions through minutes, and ensure follow‑up on agreed actions.

• Prepare and maintain all required project documentation, including correspondence, warnings, minutes, and updated work plans.

• Support the Project Manager to issue written warnings when required, and escalate unresolved or serious issues such as delays, non‑compliance, or ESS/safety concerns.

• Review contractor invoices, support the preparation of payment packages, and ensure compliance with contractual procedures.

• Conduct occasional site visits to verify progress, identify risks, and maintain a clear understanding of on‑ground conditions, in collaboration with the relevant Field Engineer.

• Coordinate with technical teams and stakeholders to support integrated, compliant, and efficient sub‑project delivery.

• Any other tasks as required by the supervisor.

Skills

Civil Engineering, Grant Administration, Infrastructure, Progress Monitoring, Project Management

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required:

Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with proven working experience in civil engineering and field activities.

Desired:

A bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

Experience Requirements

Required:

• Minimum of seven (7) years with a secondary school diploma. OR three (3) years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or higher in project management, progress monitoring and reporting.
• Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure successful project implementation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Desired:

• Professional experience with international organizations in project management and monitoring.
• Experience in infrastructure and public space rehabilitation.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredArabicFluentRequired

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.