TERMS OF REFERENCE
Syria remains highly vulnerable to a wide range of natural and human-induced hazards, including earthquakes, floods, droughts, extreme weather events, environmental hazards, and risks linked to unexploded ordnance and conflict-related damage to infrastructure. Years of crisis have significantly weakened institutional systems, infrastructure, and community resilience, increasing the exposure of vulnerable populations—particularly children—to disaster and climate-related risks. Strengthening national disaster risk reduction (DRR) and emergency preparedness systems is therefore critical to reduce vulnerabilities, improve coordinated response capacities, and support sustainable recovery.
This consultant will be consistently present in the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management’s daily operations and meetings, enabling close engagement and real-time coordination with other ministries and key national and local stakeholders. While the consultant will report directly to UNICEF, the function goes well beyond the regular UNICEF staff's scope of work; it requires full-time dedication within MoEDM and deep familiarity with Syria’s evolving panorama regarding DRR and Early Action, including its institutional architecture, policy frameworks, and implementation challenges. The technical and political role of this role demands a level of national expertise, responsiveness, and daily presence that cannot be achieved through periodic support from existing UNICEF personnel. By embedding a Senior Consultant directly within MoEDM, UNICEF will strengthen its strategic positioning and ability to provide high-quality, context-sensitive support to the Ministry.
Minimum requirements
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.