Liaison Officer, UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism

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.

The current conflict in Yemen has resulted in a wide-spread humanitarian crisis, and had left 80 per cent of the population (22.2 million people) in need of assistance at the time of the design of the project at hand.   The impediments on commercial imports to Yemen led to a severe lack of basic items. It was determined, should the situation continue to the point that basic commodities are not imported and therefore not available in the market, the current humanitarian crisis would deteriorate even further.

In order to address the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, the restoration of regular commercial cargo flows into the country is essential. UN Security Council resolution 2216 (2015) decided that Member States shall take necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned. In order to facilitate the unimpeded flow of essential commercial items to Yemen, the UN has been requested by the Government of Yemen to provide a monitoring and inspection service that ensures that commercial cargo entering Yemen’s territorial waters is compliant with UNSCR 2216 (2015). 

• Stays abreast of the latest political, security and humanitarian developments in Yemen and ensure that such information is shared among the members of UNVIM, through daily situation reports and a weekly security briefing.
• Maintains close communication with the Regional Coordination Officer and the Project Manager on all operational aspects.
• Participates, as an observer, in the relevant coordination meetings, including the Security Management Team and other coordination meetings relevant to the project in Djibouti.
• Together with the Coordination Officers and the Monitors, establishes standard operating procedures for the deployment of the inspection teams and organise inspection operations and security requirements.
• In close collaboration with the Coordination Officers and the Monitors, plans and facilitates the deployment of the inspection team as needed;
• Monitors and facilitates the progress of inspections and liaises constantly with the team.
• Maintains UNVIM inspection facilities and equipment at the port
• Monitors all security-related matters for the UNVIM team, including liaison with UN Security on a daily basis and ensures compliance on UNVIM operations with minimum operational security standards.
• Coordinates for all operational matters between UNVIM and service providers or institutions as required to ensure operational excellence including Djiboutian authorities, port authorities, shipping companies
• Conducts other duties as requested by the Regional Coordination Officer and the Project Manager.
• Liaises with and coordinates information with EU NAVFOR and MSCHOA on all maritime security matters.

Ability to analyse: able to distribute time effectively and adhere to deadlines; able to match the scope of the project by optimal use of organization’s resources.

Communication skills: consistently delivers accurate, clear and concise messages in written or oral form; shares information with colleagues.

Networking skills: consciously extends oneself o building rapport with others; creates common ground for understanding at a inter-personal level.

Teamwork skills: always works with others to accomplish goals/tasks; treats all members of team in a professional manner and with respect; is open to different points of view.

Situational sensitivity: remains calm in stressful situations; is open to working with people from diverse background and cultures.

• Five years of professional experience in civil-military coordination, or related field such as the navy, military, police or organized forces; 
• Knowledge and understanding of the current situation in the Middle East and Horn of Africa is desirable;
• Experience in a conflict environment is an advantage.  
• Knowledge of maritime affairs and security is essential.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of MS Office and the use of web-based management systems. 

• English fluency in speaking, writing and reading. 
• French fluency in speaking, writing and reading.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract level: FT- P3 
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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.