Operations Associate

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background Information - Peace and Security Cluster 

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.

Background Information - UNMAS

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is the coordinator for Mine Action within the United Nations system, located within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). It chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and is the lead of the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR). Mine action comprises five areas of work: clearance, risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction. The United Nations applies mine action expertise to an increasingly wide range of explosive hazards, from unexploded missiles, artillery shells, rockets, grenades and mortars, to unsafe and unsecured weapons and ammunition, improvised explosive devices and cluster bombs. UNMAS leads, coordinates and carries out efforts to mitigate these threats when mandated by the United Nations Security Council or, when requested by the Secretary-General or an affected country, often in response to a humanitarian emergency.

Background Information - UNMAS Nigeria Response

UNMAS Nigeria plans, manages and oversees all humanitarian mine action activities in north-east Nigeria.  It provides technical support to all partners and ensures the proper integration of mine action into wider humanitarian assistance and developmental programmes.  At the request of the UN Country Team (UNCT), a technical scoping mission was conducted by UNMAS in April 2017. Following this, UNMAS was asked to provide humanitarian mine action assistance in the northeast of the country. As a result, UNMAS deployed a small team in 2018 to provide technical assistance, including coordination, planning, technical advice and support to the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), the humanitarian community, affected populations, and national authorities.

Background Information - Job-specific

This Terms of Reference outlines the scope of work for an Operations Associate who will support the Operations Officer in delivering training packages and providing mentorship to members of the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the areas of Explosive Hazard Awareness Training (EHAT), All Arms Search Course (AASC), and Conventional Munitions Disposal (CMD) Levels 1, 2, and 3. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of these security agencies in effectively managing explosive threats and contributing to national security. 

The Operations Associate will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Operations Officer. The primary objective of this role is to provide operational and logistical support to the training program, ensuring its smooth implementation and effectiveness. This includes:

• Support the Operations Officer in the delivery of EHAT, AASC, and CMD (Levels 1, 2, and 3) training to Police and NSCDC personnel.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of training materials, schedules, and resource management.

• Support the implementation of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) processes.

• Support the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) in operational planning.

• Contribute to the development of National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) or National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSGs), as directed.

Training Delivery Support:

• Assist in the preparation of training materials, including printing, collation, and distribution.

• Provide logistical support during training sessions, such as setting up training venues, managing equipment, and coordinating participant logistics (e.g., accommodation, transportation).

• Maintain accurate records of training attendance, performance, and feedback, as directed.

• Support the delivery of practical exercises and assessments, as required.

• Coordination with Police and NSCDC on administrative and logistical requirements.

Training Development and Planning Support:

• Assist in the development and review of trainee selection criteria for each training level (EHAT, AASC, CMD 1, 2, and 3).

• Support the development and maintenance of comprehensive training schedules, ensuring they are up-to-date and reflect any changes.

• Assist in the identification and procurement of necessary equipment required for the training.

• Assist in the development of training budgets.

Mentoring and QA/QC Support:

• Support the implementation of the mentorship and QA/QC plan.

• Assist in the organization of mentorship sessions and follow-up activities.

• Support the development of assessment tools and conduct regular evaluations, as directed by the supervisor.

NMAC Support:

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the NMAC in operational planning, as required.

• Assist in the preparation of reports and presentations for the NMAC.

Standards Development Support:

• Assist the Operations Officer in the development or review of NMAS or NTSGs. This may involve research, document management, and logistical support.

Administrative and Operational Support:

• Draft reports, briefing notes and summary documents related to operational activities.

• Liaise with national and local authorities, affected communities and other stakeholders, and organize meetings as required

• Maintain the office and operational filing system, ensuring all documents are saved appropriately

• collect and record operational data using the UNMAS information Management System (IMSMA) and related tools.

• Support the preparation of daily and weekly operational updates, highlighting successes and challenges.

• Perform other administrative and operational support tasks as required by the supervisor.

Education 

• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience is required;

• Or, a High School diploma with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience is required. 

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as  experience in programme management, project management, monitoring,  planning, operations, law enforcement or related activities, providing operational and logistical support, preferably in a training or capacity-building context.

• Proficiency in basic computer applications and word processing is required.

• Experience in humanitarian mine action operations is desired. 

Language 

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

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractual Agreement (LICA) 

2. Contract level: LICA-6

3. Contract duration: 9 months - (with possibility of extension, 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.