Operations Senior Manager (Chief of Operations)

Peace and Security Cluster

Background Information - PSC Syria Project Unit

The PSC Syria Project Unit operates as an integral part of Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Head of the PSC Syria Project Unit reports to the PSC Director who provides direction and guidance. S/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising and closing all projects in the country in order to support substantive partners in delivering its mandate. 

In Syria, PSC’s partner is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and UNMAS’ representative in-country is the Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP). The CMAP is therefore the HPU’s primary stakeholder. UNOPS PSC and UNMAS have developed a delineation of responsibilities, using a RACI responsibility matrix to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. The HPU is expected to work in close cooperation with the CMAP, ensuring that, in substance, the Syria mine action programme operates as one integrated team.

Operating under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2165 (renewed in 2017 with SCR 2393), UNMAS deployed the Syria Response Programme (SRP) 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 the Syria Response. Established in Damascus since 2018, following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Syrian Arab Republic, UNMAS strives to expand humanitarian mine action in Syria, with the aim to respond to high humanitarian needs. This includes humanitarian mine action activities prioritized in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Syria: risk education, victim assistance, survey and clearance.

The conflict in Syria has been characterized by the extensive use of explosive weapons which resulted in large scale explosive hazard contamination, with the presence of diversified types of ordnance. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2021 for Syria, 10.3 million people live in communities reporting explosive ordnance contamination; men, women, and children, are exposed to the threat of grave injuries and death on a daily basis. Millions of people live with a permanent disability and new conflict-related trauma cases lead to thousands of permanent disabilities requiring long-term and multi-dimensional support.

Under the direct supervision of PSC Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

Summary of key results:

1. Operations - design and planning

2. Operations - implementation and monitoring

3. Stakeholder management 

4. Knowledge management and innovation

5. People management 
   
   

1. Operations – design and planning

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

  • Programme Strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework, stakeholder analysis; risk analysis; resource mobilization strategy)

  • Workplan and Budget (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 plans

2.    Operations – Implementation and monitoring 

• 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

  • 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) 

  • International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)

  • Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC)

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

  • 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.

  • Design, implement and oversee a robust quality management and information management system.

  • Design and maintain a risk management system focused on problem solving which ties into contract management awareness; maintain and utilize risk and issues logs.

  • Organize debriefing with the grantee/contractor to provide feedback on performance against deliverables and if necessary, discuss corrective actions to be taken in following months, recommend liquidated damages and/or lead dispute resolutions if necessary.

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

• Lead Boards of Inquiry as relevant.

• Ensure operational plans are cost effective and reviewed regularly.

• In support of the HPU, contribute to monitoring budgets/expenditure for over/under spend and adjust planning accordingly.

• In support of the HPU, ensure that the security management system is aligned to UN safety and security requirements relevant to mine action operations; keep abreast of relevant security environment

4.   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

5.    Knowledge management and innovation

• 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 

6.    People management

• Support in recruitment, train, guide, empower and develop the operations team, with consideration for individual training and development needs 

• 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.

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

• A minimum of 2 years of leadership experience, including supervising teams and managing complex projects and budgets is required

• Experience in the direct management of multiple teams conducting mine action operations is required; examples include the following:

• Knowledge of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), experience in implementing a quality management system, with field experience in application of land release methodologies is required

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

• Experience in writing and reviewing reports is required

• Experience working in a developing country is desirable.

• EOD Level 3 certification is desired. 
• IEDD or HRS qualification is desired.

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

Knowledge of Arabic is desired.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

• Contract type: Staff (fixed-term appointment)
• Contract level: P4 (ICS-11) 
• Contract duration: 12 months (renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability)

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.