Project Implementation and Engineering Advisor

The Project Implementation and Engineering Advisor will support UN-Habitat Syria to strengthen systems, procedures, and technical standards for the operational, administrative, and technical delivery of its projects. This includes improving procurement systems, developing standard specifications, establishing oversight mechanisms, and strengthening coordination between programme, operations, and field teams.

Responsibilities

• Review existing project implementation modalities and identify operational gaps in procurement, contracting, field implementation and monitoring and evaluation.
• Establish standardized systems for project management oversight, including tracking tools, implementation monitoring processes, and reporting templates.
• Support programme teams to ensure timely and quality implementation of field projects and contracts with implementing partners.
• Provide technical guidance to project managers and engineers on implementation modalities and operational compliance.
• Identify and develop improvements for monitoring and evaluation of physical projects.
• Review existing procurement documentation including Bills of Quantities (BoQs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Calls for Proposals (CFPs), and other procurement templates in line with UN-Habitat standards.
• Develop standardized project documentation and processes tailored to common urban project types.
• Support the development of standard technical specifications and procurement standards for construction, rehabilitation, and urban public space projects.
• Establish guidance notes and internal procedures for procurement planning, evaluation, and contract management.
• Ensure all contractor activities comply with contractual terms, project requirements, technical specifications, and UN-Habitat policies and procedures.
• Review contractor work plans, schedules, deliverables, and variations to confirm alignment with contractual obligations.
• Track contract performance indicators (KPIs), timelines, milestones, and financial commitments.
• Identify non-compliance issues and support timely corrective actions in collaboration with the implementation unit and engineering and procurement teams.
• Develop systems for Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and pre-qualified vendor rosters for frequently procured services and works.
• Support procurement team in establishing effective and transparent vendor selection processes and evaluation methodologies.
• Strengthen procedures for managing procurement cases and tracking implementation of awarded contracts.
• Support Head of Operations and procurement unit to strengthen oversight of procurement cases and implementation partner contracts in line with UN-Habitat rules and procedures.
• Contribute to improved coordination between programme teams, field engineers, and operations staff during project design and implementation stages.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and recommend practical improvements to project delivery processes.
• Develop training modules and operational guidance materials for project managers, engineers, and operational staff.
• Deliver training workshops on procurement procedures, project implementation standards, and contract management.
• Support knowledge transfer and institutionalization of improved systems within UN-Habitat Syria.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in procurement, operations management, business administration, engineering, architecture, urban planning, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in project management, programme management, or project coordination within international development, public sector, engineering, urban planning, infrastructure, or related fields.
• Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience establishing project implementation and procurement-related systems, technical standards, or operational procedures for infrastructure or development projects.
• Experience working in Syria or similar contexts is an advantage.
• English fluency is required.
• Basic Arabic is desirable.

Skills

• Project Management
• Programme Management
• Project Coordination
• Procurement Systems
• Technical Standards Development
• Operational Procedures
• Infrastructure Project Management
• Urban Planning
• Engineering
• Procurement
• Operations Management
• Project Implementation
• Oversight Mechanisms
• Coordination Between Teams
• Project Management Professional
• International Development
• Public Sector Experience
• Business Administration
• Standard Specifications

Languages

English, Arabic