Project Management Support Senior Officer (Communications)

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 its presence in the DRC in 2002 to provide support to the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUSCO) and to conduct humanitarian mine action. It continues to work with all actors involved in mine action, and weapons and ammunition management and safety issues.

KOICA Project Information:

UNMAS DRC recently received funding from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to implement a two years project starting in June 2022 in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika with the following objectives:

1) Effectively implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 on sustained peace, justice, strong institutions and effective and inclusive governance through the development of a sustainable national capacity in explosive hazard management.
2) Effectively implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development through increasing the National Mine Action Authority (CCLAM) capacity to coordinate Mine Action activities and therefore encouraging the return of displaced people, opening freedom of movement in a post-conflict society, decreasing fear and threat of the ‘frozen violence’ of landmines and other ERW and Goal 17.

Outcome 1:DRC security sector and/or national NGOs responds appropriately to EOD tasks
Output 1.1: National NGO personnel trained to conduct explosive ordnance disposal.
Output 1.2: Land is released for productive use.
Output 1.3: CCLAM has increased capacity to coordinate Mine Action activities in the DRC.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Functions / Key Results

1. Programme development, planning and coordination;

2. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities;

3. Programme management support;

4. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration;

5. Knowledge management and document management;

1. Programme development planning and coordination

• Support the HMA Project Manager in coordinating the implementation of the KOICA project.

• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to communicate Programme and project requirements and client capacities.

• Communicate the project information with the government of the DRC, National Mine Action Center, partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, contractors and UN agencies.

• Maintain documentation of decisions and actions taken on Programme and KOICA project issues.

2. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities

• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in Programme design as relevant.

• Draft  and/or review concept notes,  project proposals, associate budgets and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

• Actively engage in public information initiatives and maintain close working relationships with UN partner agencies on public information activities.

3. Programme management support

• Support in drafting agreements and suggest compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management teams to meet requirements of funding agreements, in coordination with HQ policies.

• In collaboration with relevant personnel, identify monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements.

• Tracking Programme and project  results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.

• Assist in coordinating information flow between implementation partner and donors.

• Draft high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, substantive, quarterly and annual reports, financial agreement, factsheets etc.

• Prepare draft budgets and project proposals for new projects and extensions of ongoing projects as required by the Programme Officer.

• Prepare donor reports and funding proposals, including ad hoc reports as required.

• Prepare periodic substantive reports for implementing partners against donor contributions, projects and activities.

4. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

• Act as focal point on  communication and leading specific donors’ contributions assigned by Programme Officer and HPU ensuring successful implementation of all activities under their funding are achieved.

• Assist in maintaining  relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of Programme implementation.

• Participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant Programme technical experts when required.

• Contribute in the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximize communication impact and outreach and build awareness of Country Programme objectives.

• Organize visits of donors and other delegations, and project related events.

• Contribute in the design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms, ensuring use of social media in Risk Education activities is included.

• coordinate  official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.

• Assist the Chief Mine Action Programme during donor visits, visits to embassies and presentations and visits to/by Mine Action stakeholders in the country.

• Liaise with UN partner agencies and donors in mine action in obtaining up to date information on potential funding and projects.

• Support the national authority (Congolese Mine Action Center)  in the coordination of humanitarian mine action partners and activities as part of the transfer of the Humanitarian Mine Action Transfer of Responsibility which took place in 2016.

• Represent Programme in humanitarian cluster system meetings and assist on the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) process and the interagency meeting and support in addressing any Programme raised issues.

5. Knowledge management and document management and innovation:

• Maintain records of Programme files and other necessary Programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on Programme issues.

• Act as focal point/ coordination focal point  building national capacity through close communication and review of written products of national partners.

• Ensure  implementing relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage Programme development and implementation.

• Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall Programme performance.

• Perform any other duties as requested and tasked by the Project Manager and Programme Officer.

• An Advanced University Degree (master Degree or equivalent) with two years of relevant experience OR
• A First level university degree (bachelor degree or equivalent) with four years of relevant experience is required.

1. Contract type:        International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA).
2. Contract level:       IICA-1/ICS-9.
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, 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 

• 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.