Mine Action Advisor (Operations Advisor)

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (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 Cluster 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 Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the PSC on behalf of its clients.

Background – 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 Peace Operations (DPO). 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 DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

Background – UNMAS Libya

UNMAS deployed to Libya in March 2011 and was integrated into the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in July 2012.  As its Mine Action Service, UNMAS Libya is mandated by UN Security Council resolution 2365 (2017) on Mine Action, as well as UNSC resolution 2656 (2022), in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to, inter alia: support Libyan authorities with ceasefire implementation; provide support to key Libyan institutions; support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, in accordance with humanitarian principles; provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related material and countering their proliferation; and co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to Government-led efforts to stabilise post-conflict zones and to provide support to the Libyan led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism and Action Plan agreed by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission. UNMAS has been delivering and coordinating humanitarian mine action responses in Libya since 2011 which include; training and capacity building of Libyan nationals in non-technical survey and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD); direct project implementation in Tripoli, Benghazi, Tawergha, Gharyan, and Misrata; the provision of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education; advocacy; technical support and coordination; and quality control and assurance of ongoing mine action.

Support the Head of Project Unit (HPU) and Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP) in providing advisory support on all Mine Action related matters to execute the mandate, such as: 

• Development and management of Mine Action related deliverables in accordance with agreed work plans, objectives, priorities, and resources;

• Provide programme and strategic policy and technical advice and coordination support on Mine Action as requested by national authorities, donors, international and regional stakeholders, and United Nations management; 

• Assist UN Missions / national authorities in the development of strategies, action plans, standards, and projects in alignment with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and/or national mine action standards including measurable targets to a sustained improvement of safety and security;

• Provide input to the documents and processes below from mine action aspects in coordination with other advisors, including:

  • The Programme Strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework, stakeholder; analysis; risk analysis) and Workplan and Budget (e.g. nature of threat; technical personnel and equipment requirements, etc.);

  • Concepts of Operations, Concept Notes and Proposals; and

  • Key papers at the request of the HPU/CMAP covering the UNMAS Libya Programme.

• Contribute to resource mobilisation efforts to support the Libya Programme through preparation of funding proposals, programme concepts and budgets;

• Develop and review national Mine Action standards with the national authorities considering technical guidance from implementing partners, using best practices identified in IMAS and other relevant guidance as a baseline;

• Collaborate, coordinate and work together with other Advisors and extra-budgetary project staff for coordinated and cohesive results

• Identify continuous improvements and lessons learned;

• Implement any other tasks requested by the HPU/CMAP

• 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

  • Organisational design standards and human resources policies.

• Lead implementation of the Mine Action related deliverables in accordance with agreed work plans, objectives, priorities, and resources;

• Advice Libyan institutions to ensure operations are conducted in accordance with mine action technical standards, such as International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and corresponding national standards in coordination with other technical advisors

• Support and guide the LibMAC to oversee, coordinate, and monitor mine action operations and performance

• Provide training and mentorship support to national Mine Action personnel, including of Libyan Mine Action Centre and other Libyan institutions 

• Implement the technical support related activities for mine action Libyan authorities such as capacity development, standards development and management, etc.

• Oversee, coordinate, and monitor reporting and performance of operations and technical support of Mine Action activities including:

  • Ensure performance against the targets of the logical framework and Workplan of the Programme;

  • Provide performance updates and reports to key reports, including reports for donors, UN and other key counterparts as requested; and

  • Lead inputs and delivery for quarterly and annual reviews, workplan reviews and other such monitoring systems as required.  

• In support of the HPU, manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct stakeholders, particularly around mine action related issues

• Coordinate with UNSMIL Sections to execute the mandate 

• Coordinate with field level operational partners, UN, and government counterparts to support implementation of the operational activities. This includes governors, national authorities, and UNCT members

• In support of the HPU, upon request from the CMAP, engage national mine action authorities and other Libyan institutions involved in mine action for purposes of coordination as requested. This may relate to operations and implementation, review/implementation of national standards and/or IMAS and other relevant international standards as well as treaty implementation/obligations.

• Participate, support and lead (as needed) thematic in-country coordination forums related to Mine Action (upon request from the HPU/CMAP), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and Durable Solutions Working Groups.

• Support in recruitment, training, guiding, empowering, and developing the team, with consideration for individual training and development needs.

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the 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.

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

• Implement relevant tools and templates to effectively manage efficient and effective operations.

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

• Initiate and undertake lessons learned exercises, including the sharing, effective filing, and incorporation into future operational plans and ensure information sharing.

• Advanced University Degree (master Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required ; OR

• First-level degree (bachelor or equivalent) with nine years of relevant experience is required;  OR

• Military or police experience with 13 years of relevant experience is required

Experience:

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

• Three years of leadership experience managing complex projects, including managing budgets and supervising teams (in a project management context) is required

• Five years of experience (within the past 10 years) in one or more of the following activities is required:

• Experience with the development of national policy and technical instructions for Mine Action is required

• Experience in training design and delivery of instruction is required

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, and speaking) is required
• Fluency in Arabic is desired

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time. 

• 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.

• 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. 

• UNMAS is committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications from women and/or survivors of explosive hazards are strongly encouraged.

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.