Senior Technical Advisor

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

 It is headed by the Centre Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

Under the direct supervision of the UNMAS Programme Manager, the Senior Technical Advisor will work, bearing the capacity building needs of the National Mine Action Authority, of other government institutions involved in mine action, and of mine action organizations and stakeholders working in country in consideration, to ensure the sector’s successful service delivery, as well as to increase the capacity of the mine action sector in general, whilst displaying political sensitivity to the Colombian context.The Senior Technical Advisor will report directly to the Programme Manager of the Colombia UNMAS programme, and shall work in close collaboration with the Deputy Programme Manager, the Training and Operations Officer, as well as with the Quality Management Coordinator.

The specific tasks to be undertaken as requested will include:

• Provide the Government of Colombia, through the Directorate Descontamina Colombia, and stakeholders (as requested) with strategic and technical assistance on the review and restructuration of mine action coordination mechanisms, including those with the military; provide mine action considerations for a post-agreement environment of the sector’s mine action operations with the aim of enhancing these coordination mechanisms.

• Provide the Government of Colombia (as requested) with strategic assistance on the review of a national multi-year Mine Action Strategy, with considerations for priority setting, (re-)tasking, and micro-focalization.

• Provide the Government of Colombia (as requested) with strategic assistance on the inclusion of its Mine Action Plan within its wider cross-government post-conflict ‘Stabilization'/Development Strategy/Policy

• Work closely with the Government of Colombia (as requested) providing strategic advice for review of planning and prioritization to fulfil Colombia’s obligations related to the Mine Ban Treaty and to provide solutions to mine-affected communities.

• Provide ongoing advice and documented technical assistance through technical opinions, concept notes, proposals, and technical notes (both in Spanish and English) to UNMAS or the National Mine Action Authority and to other mine action stakeholders (as requested).

• Lead the mine action Area of Responsibility (AoR) into elaborating a risk-mitigation strategy which encompasses threats analysis, vulnerabilities examination and shared best practices and lessons learned risk-mitigation measures to protect and enhance the humanitarian space in Colombia.

• Provide technical support to mine action organizations (as requested) to review and increase their operational management and planning capacity, undertake field visits as required, write reports capturing best practices and lessons learned, as well as case studies on cost and operational efficiency, with the aim of enhancing operational mien action capacity to complement peace and development initiatives.

• Lead other initiatives as directed by the Programme Manager in coordination with the Deputy Programme Manager.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in the area of Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, International Relations, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience OR;
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in the area of Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, International Relations, or related field with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience. 

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience required, of which 2 years ought to involve senior management responsibility for mine action field work
• Knowledge of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is required 
• Experience in managing landmine and unexploded ordnance disposal techniques, as well as the application of various clearance technologies, is desired
• Experience working in countermine measures/demining or UXO clearance operations and related practices of the Colombian National Mine Actions Standards is desired
• UNMAS Operations certifications (or equivalent) are desired

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading, and writing) is required
• Fluency in Spanish (speaking, reading and writing) is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA-3 (ICS-11)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.