iMMAP is a pioneering humanitarian organization leading the way forward in the effective use of information management practices and principles at the service of the humanitarian relief and development community.

The Syria crisis is a profoundly urban crisis: damage, destruction and displacement are concentrated in major urban centres and cities. The majority of Governorate capitals and secondary cities have been damaged during the crisis. Many hospitals, schools, water supply and sanitation systems, electricity grids, industries and markets have been destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of homes and buildings have likely been damaged or demolished.

In this context, a set of like-minded partners with complementary areas of expertise and profiling approaches in urban areas have established the Urban Analysis Network- Syria (UrbAN-S) under the leadership of iMMAP for working in close collaboration with the wide array of stakeholders working in urban areas within Syria for a better data, analysis, planning and response over a period of 24 months.

The UrbAN-S understands the profiling of urban areas as an adaptive exercise, designed to draw a detailed picture of how cities are (not) functioning and how they cope during and in the aftermath of the Syrian conflict. The core scope of the UrbAN-S initiative is to support and contribute to the operational agencies/actors and coordination mechanisms on how to analyse the particularities of the urban areas and better address them in their planning and responses. This contribution is presented through a) expertise in urban analysis; b) Information Management tools and c) collaborative and inclusive approaches. Therefore, as a key outcome of the project, the UrbAN-S wishes to contribute to fostering a better response in urban areas in close collaboration with the existing structures and coordination mechanisms of Syria.

This position is based at the iMMAP Syria Country Office in Amman with frequent travel to other countries in the region, including Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Syria.

The incumbent reports to the Urban Analyst.

The National Urban Analyst position is a senior national role within the UrbAN-S project demanding strong analytical skills. He/she will be supporting the UrbAN-S’s core urban and neighborhood profiling and analysis functions and mechanisms with a close relationship with network members, key stakeholders and partners. Specific tasks include:

–          Actively support the coordination with network members the development of all Project related products (city profiles, neighborhood profiles and action plans, urban toolkit, capacity building and multi-stakeholders joint analysis) applying the UrbAN-S methodology and ensuring these are agreed upon standards;

–          Actively contribute to the operationalization of all field-based Project related work streams to ensure outputs are progressing in an integrated manner in line with the project proposal and operational action plan;

–          Actively contribute to the analysis of the urban areas covered by the project ensuring the inclusion and keeping fluent contact with the array of partners and stakeholders;

–          Participate and contribute to technical & coordination project meetings and workshops to ensure inclusion of the array of partners and stakeholders and harmonization of methodologies and approaches;

–          Support UrbAN-S core team to ensure that all final products are produced on a timely and efficiently manner following the defined project standards;

–          Any other duties as required by the Urban Coordinator.

–          Contribute to the representation of UrbAN-S network and iMMAP by the project Senior Management team with donors, coordination bodies, national and international partners and key stakeholders as appropriate.

–          Follow security protocols defined by the iMMAP Global Security Advisor under the supervision of the Project Manager.

 Organizational learning:

–          As part of the iMMAP commitment to organizational learning, and in support of the understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, it is expected that he/she will commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit iMMAP, as well as individual professional development.

–          iMMAP team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to beneficiaries of iMMAP programs, and to international standards guiding relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.

Education:  Relevant university degree or higher education in urban planning, information sciences, political science, humanitarian affairs, or any other relevant field.

A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian and/or development affairs, urban planning or other related area. Proven understanding of the Syria crisis and its impact in urban areas is required. Excellent analytical and communication skills-adapting messaging to different audiences- are required. Field experience with needs assessments, profiling coordination, information management, or inter-agency coordination is an asset.

Fluent in written and spoken Arabic and English is required. Knowledge of other languages would be an advantage, though not a requirement.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian and/or developmental affairs, with particular attention to urban profiling and evidence-based decision-making, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems; analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated United Nations response; ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems; ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area; in depth knowledge of urban profiling tools, both theoretical/technical expertise; ability to facilitate and organize trainings and workshops; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); capacity to support operations at both headquarters and field levels; ability to produce high-quality products for a variety of clients, often under extreme pressure and with tight deadline; proven ability to facilitate and lead inter-agency and multi-stake holder processes and efforts; sound information technology skills; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

LEADERSHIP: Understood as the capacity and ability of making quick decisions, delegate to colleagues and others when appropriate, show leadership initiative yet recognizing the leadership of the others’. Is the personal ability of providing leadership to the other, but more importantly, it is also the ability of the person to accept decisions to which does not personally agree but have to meet workwise.

TEAMWORK: It refers to the ability to work with a positive influence on team, helping and supporting others, putting aside personal differences in order to achieve the assigned goals.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Communication skills refer to the ability of a person to communicate effectively with others within the team and the wide range to stakeholders during the process. It’s about being able to communicate your messages to your audience and modify your communication approaches according to the needs of individuals and groups with whom you need to communicate. It is also about their ability to listen and extract key information and facts from interested parties.

RESILIENCE: The ability on remaining constructive and positive even under pressure and stress, including their ability to overcome their own limits, coping with fatigue and be able to tolerate difficult and stressful situations. Resilience it is how a person handles his own stress levels, and ensure that it is able to remain a member of the operating team for as long as possible.