Operations Specialist - Quality Assurance (Ops/QA IEDD Officer)

Peace and Security Cluster

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered nearly two decades of turmoil, particularly in the eastern provinces. The use of landmines was a feature during the conflict and Explosive Remnants of War from the fighting remain a hazard.

UNMAS established a presence in the DRC in 2002 to assist MONUSCO and GoDRC with explosive hazard management activities. In compliance with Security Council Resolutions 2098 (2013), 2463 (2019) and more recently 2502 (2019), UNMAS DRC runs two main projects in the DRC, one in support of MONUSCO and another one in support of the GoDRC and the UN Country Team (UNCT).


UNMAS DRC supports MONUSCO in the achievement of its mandated objectives under the strategic component: (1) Protection of Civilians (PoC) and Human Rights. UNMAS DRC does so through explosive hazard management, including survey, clearance and disposal of explosive hazards, including unsafe ammunition stockpile of FARDC and Congolese national police, assessment and destruction of unserviceable, obsolete or surplus ammunition from Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and assessment and destruction  of weapons and ammunition surrendered during the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement process, supporting national efforts to address the threat posed by the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of SALW in the DRC; provision of awareness sessions to UN personnel; as well as through the provision of technical support and advice on weapons and ammunition stockpile management both to the GoDRC and relevant MONUSCO sections. UNMAS DRC also stands ready to support any other requests from the Mission, wherever possible, for example, the assessment and clearance of Mission premises on closure, prior to returning to civilian use. These activities are in line with the UNMAS Strategic Objective 2 and 4 of the UNMAS Multi-Year Strategic Plan and contributes to UNMAS vision for the DRC: “ a country free from the threat of mines, explosive hazards, and armed violence, where communities live in a safe and secure environment, and where national security institutions and authorities have the capacity to address the residual explosive threat and adequately store and manage their weapons, ammunitions and stockpiles.”

UNMAS Objectives

In accordance with MONUSCO mandate and strategic objectives, UNMAS aims to develop National capacities to improve the security of Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) and ammunition of the National Defence and Security Forces. The project focuses on equipping and training the National Forces and Police for a better physical security and management processes of weapons and ammunition of stated owned stockpiles. In addition, the program plans to establish an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat Mitigation capacity in DRC, with the objective of ensuring effective prioritization of tasks, utilization of resources, and encouraging common messaging by all UN, governmental, non-governmental and commercial implementers engaged in related activities countrywide.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Operation, the Operations Specialist - Quality Assurance (Ops/QA IEDD Officer) will do the following tasks:

Operations – Design and planning 

• Support the Head of Operations in providing input to the HPU on programme and project design documents from an operational and technical standpoint, such as: 

  • Workplan (e.g. nature of threat; technical personnel and equipment requirements, etc.)

  • Concept of Operations

  • Input into the documents above is from the operational and technical aspects encompassing mine action pillars (e.g. clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction)

• Ensure that implementation plans have viable timelines, are assigned appropriate resources, and that implementation options reflect the knowledge of the context, as well as UNOPS’ mechanisms and policies; key implementation documents include:

  • UNMAS / UNOPS Project Agreements

  • Solicitation documents used to contract third-parties (i.e. contractors and grantees)

  • Human resources plan

Operations - Implementation and monitoring 

• Work with responsible experts to ensure operations are conducted in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards, such as: Financial and procurement rules, Contract and grant management policies, Project management standards, Health, safety, social and environmental standards, Gender parity and mainstreaming policies, Information management systems and standards and Organizational design standards and human resources policies;

• Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with mine action technical standards, such  as: International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and corresponding National Technical Specifications and Guidelines (NTSGs);

• Oversee, coordinate, and monitor mine action operations and performance (both operations conducted in-house and those conducted through third-party contractors and grantees), This includes the following: 

  • Ensure third-party contracts and grants are delivered in accordance with contractual / grant terms and conditions, including in accordance with mine action technical, operational and quality assurance processes (Implementation Plan, SOPs, task orders issuance, accreditation).

  • Review all performance reports and populate internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms (i.e. grant and contract management plans) to inform the monthly payment process.

  • Implement the program quality management and information management system.

• Advise the Head of Operations on potential technical and operational issues that may impact the achievement of programme / project outcomes and appropriate solutions;

• Participate in Boards of Inquiry as relevant;

• Ensure operational plans are effective and reviewed regularly;

Stakeholder management

• In support of the HPU, manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct UNOPS stakeholders, particularly around operational and technical issues;

• In support of the HPU, upon request from the CMAP, engage national mine action authorities and/or relevant Government ministries for purposes of coordination as requested, specifically relating to review/implementation of National Technical Standards and Guidelines and/or International Mine Action Standards and other relevant international standards as well as treaty implementation/obligations;

People management

• Mentor and advise operations personnel in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best operational processes;

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the Operations team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently;

• Directly lead national and international UNOPS personnel in a multicultural team, ensuring a professional, ethical and well-managed operations team;

• Foster a positive and enabling work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed;

• Ensure that regular performance reviews are conducted, and any issues are immediately addressed;

Knowledge management and innovation

• Ensure records of operations-related files are well maintained;

• Effectively manage efficient and effective operations in his AOR; 

• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance operational results.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance by the Operations Officer directly impacts the achievement of UNOPS project deliverables and UNMAS programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNMAS programme.

• IEDD certification (as per UN IEDD Standards) 
• EOD Level 3 certification is required. 

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience OR

• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required.

• A minimum of 11 years of military or police experience may be accepted in lieu (see “Experience” below).

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management in a military, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development context.

• A minimum of 3 years of proven and applicable experience (within the last 10 years) in the management of humanitarian mine action operations and in particular previous experience managing / implementing the following activities:

           -  Explosive Ordnance Disposal in single, multiple and bulk demolitions 
           -  Non-technical survey 
           -  Technical survey
           -  Manual mine clearance 
           -  Battle Area clearance
           -  Road clearance
           -  High Risk Search (HRS) and/or Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD)

• Knowledge of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is desired.

• Knowledge of the UN IEDD Standards is desired.

• Knowledge working with information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is desired.

• Experience in writing and reviewing reports is required.

• Experience working in a developing country is desired.

• Fluency in both English and French (writing, speaking, reading) is required.
• Knowledge of Swahili is desired.

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA).
2. Contract level: IICA-2/ICS-10
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.