Operations Specialist - Quality Assurance, Multiple positions

Peace and Security Cluster

Background Information - Mali Programme

Mali is facing a problem of weapons and explosive hazard contamination as a result of protracted and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to United Nations and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.

UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats. In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council Resolution 2584(2021). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS PSC to implement a mine action programme in Mali to:

• Improve the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance;
• Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations;
• Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel.

On behalf of Mali Programme project teams, and under the overall management of the UNMAS Chief of Operations, the Operations Specialist - Quality Assurance, will be responsible for all aspects of Explosive Threat Mitigation and Mine Action related activities carried out by UNMAS Implementing Partners.  S/he will also be responsible for providing technical expertise to MINUSMA, UNMAS Management and Implementing Partners when required.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Oversee all aspects of mine action related activities carried out by staff under supervision and control.
• Implement and monitor technical, international and national safety standards.
• As directed by the Regional Area Coordinator, coordinate, facilitate and prioritize all operational tasking for projects within the area of responsibility
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation, execution and completion of all Explosive Threat Mitigation related operations for projects within the area of responsibility.
• Conduct quality control on all Explosive Threat Mitigation training and mentorship carried out by contracted trainers and mentors to the benefit of project personnel, civilian and military.
• Support the development and conduct of training, and manage the quality of training on ERW clearance and IED Threat Mitigation as required
• Ensure close and effective interaction and coordination of the integral aspects of mine action, such as Mine Victim Support and Explosive Threat Risk Education.
• When requested, act as the Investigating Officer for Detailed Independent Investigations or Boards of Inquiry for Mine/ERW Accidents or incidents.
• Debrief mine action (MA) organizations and other implementing partners on quality assurance (QA) achievements and QA assessments and ensure that all QA assessment data is captured through the appropriate QA documentation and QA tracker.
• Provide guidance on any specific corrective actions to be taken by organizations, following an inspection, which finds a non-conformity.
• Ensure proper storage of explosives in accordance with national and international guidelines and ensure control and security of explosives that are used by implementing mine action organisations within the area of responsibility
• Implement established QA management systems and ensure that the systems are being applied in a fair and equitable manner, and that accreditation, licensing and monitoring does not interrupt or delay MA projects
• Conduct routine on-site QA of MA organization operations and as part of the accreditation process
• Stay abreast of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG’s) and United Nations Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Standards (UN IEDD Standards); ensure that MA Organization Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are in line with international standards.
• Support the collection of data and the management of information
• Provide advice and input into the development of strategic and procedural documents related to EOD/IEDD matters in support to project
• Support programmatic, project and operation planning and activities through the provision of IED analysis.

Other Responsibilities

• As directed by the Regional Area Coordinator, coordinate efforts in the area of capacity building relations in mine action and against the risks posed by explosive threats (ERW, and IED) in accordance with the approved project work plan
• Oversee the operational management of the client office in absence of the Regional Area Coordinator
• Depending on the role which this position will be assigned to within the project administration setup in a specific country/programme (i.e. office structure, DOAs, OneUNOPS functions, segregation of duties, etc.), the incumbent will have responsibilities determined by UNOPS rules and regulations embodied in its regulatory framework – Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions and other documents as periodically issued and updated by UNOPS. Reporting lines with regards to compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations are ultimately to Director of UNOPS Mine Action Centre through the respective Portfolio Manager. In addition, division of responsibilities when it comes to administrative processes in support of the programme objectives will be as determined for each country office and confirmed in writing by UNOPS Director of Mine Action Centre
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Programme Manager and Chief of Operations.

Qualifications and Experience

a.     Education:

• Master Degree or equivalent in International Peace and Security, Humanitarian Affairs, International Affairs, Peacebuilding, Social Sciences, Humanities, or related field with 5 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor Degree or equivalent in International Peace and Security, Humanitarian Affairs, International Affairs, Peacebuilding, Social Sciences, Humanities, or related field with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• 11 years of experience in the management of operations within a recognized military, police, humanitarian mine action organization, development organization, or other relevant field experience.

b.     Certifications:

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Certification is desired

c.     Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in operations within a recognized military, police, humanitarian mine action organization, development setting, or other relevant field experience.
• With in relevant experience 3 years’ experience in the field of explosive threat management, humanitarian mine action, EOD, high-risk search or related field is required.
• Experience in training or capacity building is desired.

d.     Languages:

• Fluent in English (read, write or speak) is required.
• Fluency in French is desired.

Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement
Contract level: IICA 2 (ICS10)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• 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.

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.