Operations Specialist - Quality Assurance (Ops/QA Officer)

Peace and Security Cluster

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered nearly two decades of turmoil, particularly in the eastern provinces. The use of landmines was a feature during the conflict and Explosive Remnants of War from the fighting remain a hazard.

UNMAS established a presence in the DRC in 2002 to assist MONUSCO and GoDRC with explosive hazard management activities. In compliance with Security Council Resolutions 2098 (2013), 2463 (2019) and more recently 2502 (2019), UNMAS DRC runs two main projects in the DRC, one in support of MONUSCO and another one in support of the GoDRC and the UN Country Team (UNCT).


UNMAS DRC supports MONUSCO in the achievement of its mandated objectives under the strategic component: (1) Protection of Civilians (PoC) and Human Rights. UNMAS DRC does so through explosive hazard management, including survey, clearance and disposal of explosive hazards, including unsafe ammunition stockpile of FARDC and Congolese national police, assessment and destruction of unserviceable, obsolete or surplus ammunition from Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and assessment and destruction  of weapons and ammunition surrendered during the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement process, supporting national efforts to address the threat posed by the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of SALW in the DRC; provision of awareness sessions to UN personnel; as well as through the provision of technical support and advice on weapons and ammunition stockpile management both to the GoDRC and relevant MONUSCO sections. UNMAS DRC also stands ready to support any other requests from the Mission, wherever possible, for example, the assessment and clearance of Mission premises on closure, prior to returning to civilian use. These activities are in line with the UNMAS Strategic Objective 2 and 4 of the UNMAS Multi-Year Strategic Plan and contributes to UNMAS vision for the DRC: “ a country free from the threat of mines, explosive hazards, and armed violence, where communities live in a safe and secure environment, and where national security institutions and authorities have the capacity to address the residual explosive threat and adequately store and manage their weapons, ammunitions and stockpiles.”

UNMAS Objectives

In accordance with MONUSCO mandate and strategic objectives, UNMAS aims to develop National capacities to improve the security of Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) and ammunition of the National Defence and Security Forces. The project focuses on equipping and training the National Forces and Police for a better physical security and management processes of weapons and ammunition of stated owned stockpiles. In addition, the program plans to establish an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat Mitigation capacity in DRC, with the objective of ensuring effective prioritization of tasks, utilization of resources, and encouraging common messaging by all UN, governmental, non-governmental and commercial implementers engaged in related activities countrywide.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Operation, the Operations Specialist - Quality Assurance (Ops/QA Officer) will do the following tasks:

Operations – Design and planning 

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

  • Workplan (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 plan

Operations - Implementation and monitoring 

• Work with responsible experts to 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 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);

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

  • 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.

  • Implement the program quality management and information management system.

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

• Participate in Boards of Inquiry as relevant;

• Ensure operational plans are effective and reviewed regularly;

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;

People management

• 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;

Knowledge management and innovation

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

• Effectively manage efficient and effective operations in his AOR; 

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

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance by the Operations Officer directly impacts the achievement of UNOPS project deliverables and UNMAS programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNMAS programme.

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA).
2. Contract level: IICA-2/ICS-10.
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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 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.