Operations Specialist - Explosives Detection Dog (EDD)

Peace and Security Cluster

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to ATMIS as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis is delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each ATMIS Sector Headquarters and at ATMIS Force Headquarters, who support ATMIS planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor.

Somalia

Since 2009 UNMAS has been mandated through the UNSOS to support the African Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with training and mentoring in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device – defeat (IED-D), provided the relevant specialized equipment and the use of explosive detection dogs (EDD). The ATMIS support project is the core UNMAS project and contains a number of sub-projects within the whole. In addition, UNMAS is mandated through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to deliver projects associated with: Weapons and Ammunition Management; stabilization and employment; humanitarian demining; EOD/IEDD with the Somali Police Force, and capacity development with the State body for Explosive Hazard Management and the coordination of humanitarian demining. UNMAS, a component of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, draws upon project management services from UNOPS for implementation of its field operations.

The Operations Specialist- Explosives Detection Dog (EDD) (EDD) will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager-ATMIS (Chief of Operations) and overall supervision of the Head of Projects Unit (HPU). The duties and responsibilities of the position are as follows:

• Review initial technical requirements for EDD services and provide input in scoping of the requirement; assess soundness of the technical requirement, viability of EDD operations in a particular area and make appropriate recommendation to improve quality of the requirements;
• Participate as Accreditation Board member during Pre-Deployment Assessments (PDA), Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), Organizational and Operational accreditation processes if appropriate;
• Work closely with procurement and contract management teams to ensure EDD contractors comply with their contractual obligations;
• As part of the EDD contract management and monitoring, lead and conduct regular Accreditation/Inspections of EDD teams and produce comprehensive written reports including assessment forms and recommendations, in line with UNOPS Global EDD Quality Standards (QS);
• Implement an EDD Quality Management System (QMS), in line with UNOPS Global EDD QS, including the conduct of Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) assessments and report outcomes according to National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSG)/National Standards (NS) (if applicable);
• Responsible for review of maintenance training and submitted Training Records (TR) of contracted EDD Teams and for debriefing EDD contractors on QA achievements;
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation and execution of all EDD related operations as directed by the the designated primary supervisor;
• Maintain familiarity with applicable International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSG), UNOPS EDD QS and best practices in EDD operations;
• Lead the maintenance, revision and updating of the Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for EDD teams and the National Standards (NS) as required and directed by the designated supervisors;
• Provide leadership in liaising with relevant stakeholders including the contractor, relevant Mission authorities, and members of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) to ensure complete integration of EDD efforts with the overall security plan of UNDSS and the UN Mission;
• Visit field locations to develop the concept of integration of EDD assets with operations specific to each location under the direction of the Project Manager/Chief of Operations;
• Develop and conduct EDD QA courses for field personnel and relevant contractors;
• Deliver presentations and training packages with an aim to increase awareness about EDD services and raise the level of contract management procedures;
• Identify areas for continuous improvements and lessons learned.
• Perform other related duties in support of UNMAS programme objectives as directed by the primary supervisor. 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with 5 (Five) years of relevant experience; OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with 7 (seven) years of relevant experience; OR
• Secondary/High School diploma  with a minimum of 11 years in civilian police, military or private security may be accepted in lieu of formal education is required.

• Relevant experience is defined as an experience in working with police/military service dogs, of which 3 years must be related to product scent detection dog assessment/evaluation and conducting internationally recognized product scent detection dog courses.
• Experience in the implementation of EDD Quality Management Systems is required;
• Experience in Client Relations Management, Stakeholder Management, Knowledge Management, Contracts Negotiation or Contract Management is required.

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

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


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At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.


Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.



Work life harmonization

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