Programme Associate

Peace and Security Centre

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

Established in 1997 by the General Assembly, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) serves as the United Nations focal point for mine action and supports its vision of ‘a world free of the threat of landmines and inexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where survivors are fully integrated into their societies.’

UNMAS coordinates and collaborates with fourteen UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problems of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

UNMAS establishes, manages and provides strategic direction to mine action coordination centres in countries and territories as part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies or crises.  In these situations, UNMAS may plan and carry out mine action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine action service providers, and set priorities for the mine clearance, mine risk education and all other aspects of mine action.

Background Information – UNMAS Syria Response

Recognizing the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, the systemic gaps in coordination, and following the adoption of resolutions 2139, 2165 and 2191 by the United Nations Security Council, humanitarian actors operating inside Syria from Damascus and neighbouring countries launched the Whole of Syria (WOS) approach to develop a principled, predictable and coherent response to prioritized humanitarian needs.

UNMAS  deployed to Gaziantep at the request of the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in August 2015 and subsequently activated the Mine Action Sub Cluster under the Protection Cluster to address the impact of explosive hazards within Syria. UNMAS is the lead agency for the Mine Action Sub Cluster for WOS, and its offices in Beirut, Amman and Gaziantep work in support of the mine action response within Syria.

UNMAS provides leadership of the sector, working to reach affected civilian populations through the expansion and provision of mine action services inside Syria, strengthening participatory approaches to programming, and mainstreaming risk education into wider humanitarian activities. Given the limited access that international mine action actors have inside Syria and the reliance on national actors to identify issues and deliver mine action responses, coordination and capacity building of Syrian NGOs and civil society on protection has been identified as one of the priorities.

The Programme Associate, under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (PO), will support the Programme Unit and will be responsible for the following:

 Donor liaison

• With PO, attend meetings with existing donors to ensure projects and proposals are in line with requirements;
• Track funding amounts and sources for the sector;
• Provide logistical and substantive support for visits of donors and other delegations;
• Assist the PO and/or Programme Manager (PM) during donor visits, visits to embassies and presentations and visits to/by mine action stakeholders in country;
• Develop and maintain donor tracking tool;

Proposal writing and reporting

• In consultation with the Programme Unit, contribute to the design and development of mine action projects;
• Assist PO in the preparation of high-quality proposal narratives for submission to donors to the Voluntary Trust Fund for Mine Action;
• Assist PO in producing timely donor reports against contracted objectives, outputs and outcomes;
• Maintain tracking tool for proposals and reporting;

Programme support

• Assist in drafting weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports as required by the programme team;
• Maintain documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues;
• Provide assistance in public information initiatives monitor and maintain programme workplan;

Proposal Review

• As part of a team responsible for reviewing and endorsing Implementing Partner proposals presented to the VTF or other bilateral donors, analyze quality in terms of project outcome, impact and cost efficiency;
• When delegated by Programme Officer take the lead in proposal review, coordinating meetings between UNMAS colleagues and Implementing Partners, maintaining review documents;

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Design, monitor and maintain programme list of key performance indicators and track progress
• Develop and update an internal M$E tool;
• Assist PO in maintaining accurate and up to date information on the progress of all projects;
• Assist PO in maintaining accurate and up to date information on the quality of Implementing Partner activities;
• Prepare quarterly updates of the above for internal and external distribution;
• Provide innovative ideas to continually improve M&E activities;

Coordination

• Assist Whole of Syria Mine Action Coordinator in establishing and maintaining an effective mine action co-ordinational mechanism;
• Along with WoS Coordinator, work with the Protection Cluster and the members of the Mine Action Sub Cluster on information collection and analysis and to assess needs, identify response gaps, and establish priorities for the mine action response;
• Maintain and update on a quarterly basis the funding spreadsheet which lists all the funds pledged/allocated for the mine action sector;
• Maintain sub cluster contact lists up to date;
• Assist WoS Coordinator in interacting with other clusters, humanitarian actors, government counterparts, and relevant authorities for operational planning, engagement and active contribution of operational partners;
• Support hub coordinators in drafting of response plans, presentations and other requests as required;
• Liaise with IM and Operations teams to ensure IM tools are designed in line with programme requirements and up to date;
• Perform any other relevant task assigned by supervisor or senior management;

Education and relevant years of experience:

• First level university (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in business administration, project management, natural sciences, social sciences or other related field with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience or;
• Secondary school (high school or equivalent) with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience

Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience performing operational transactions in support of humanitarian programmes or projects
• Knowledge of and exposure to the UN cluster approach is desired
• Experience in donor relations is desired
• Experience in proposal and report writing is desired
• Mine action sector experience is desired

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing and reading) is required
• Fluency in Arabic (speaking, writing and reading) is required
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

• This is a local position, therefore only nationals of the duty station will be considered.
• 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.
• 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.

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.