Operations (Support) Associate

Peace and Security Cluster

Background UNMAS Palestine Response

The conflict started in Gaza in October 2023 is anticipated to leave an unprecedented amount of explosive remnants of war (ERW) across the Gaza Strip. This will further exacerbate the ERW contamination that existed prior to 7 October 2023, stemming from previous escalations since 2008.

The ERW contamination poses an immediate risk to lives, hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid, restricts safe movement, and impedes recovery and development initiatives. This is an especially serious issue in the Gaza Strip as there are significant needs for humanitarian assistance, including rubble removal, reconstruction, food, water, and health, for almost the entire population.

In response, UNMAS Palestine implements multiple projects to mitigate the threat of ERW in Gaza to enhance safety for the vulnerable populations, as well as for UN and humanitarian partners, through delivery of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) response and explosive ordnance risk education (EORE). In the West Bank, UNMAS delivers EORE and develops the capacity of the national authorities, including the Palestine Mine Action Centre (PMAC) and the EOD Police of the Palestinian Authority.

The PSC Palestine Project Unit operates as an integral part of Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Head of the Palestine 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 Palestine, 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 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 Palestine mine action programme operates as one integrated team. 

*CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
*Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply


Under the supervision of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Lead, the Operations (Support) Associate  will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate  team(s) deployment and  assist with planning and coordination of operational activities;

• Assist in drafting reports and related documentation to operational activities;

• Liaise with, and organize meetings with affected communities and other stakeholders;

• Liaise with, and organize meetings with national and local authorities, where relevant; 

• Conduct interviews with relevant informants, and support with translation from English to Arabic and  vice versa);

• Collect and record information on operational tasks in the UNMAS Information Management System, through the use of  Information Management System of Mine Action (IMSMA) and other related forms;

• In coordination with the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) team members, specifically at the direction of the EORE Coordinator, liaise with victims and communities following receipt of  incident reporting, and complete the IMSMA accident/victim report and ensure their recording;

• Ensure that the office and operational filing system is maintained, and all operational related documents are saved in the appropriate folders;

• Draft briefing and summary notes of operational activities as required and requested, to support reporting, public information and  resource mobilization efforts;

• Support in drafting daily and weekly updates for the operations team, highlighting successes and challenges;

• Assist in monitoring activities and needs assessments;

• Drive Armored Vehicles, operate using vehicle communication system and vehicle radio communication; 

• Other tasks as directed by the team lead.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 2 years of relevant relevant experience; OR

• High School diploma with 6 years of relevant experience is required. 

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience working in programme management, project management, monitoring,  planning or operations. 

• Experience in humanitarian mine action operations is desired. 

• Experience in driving an Armored Vehicle (AV) is required. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office is required.

Language 

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

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

Certification

• Driving License is required.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractual Agreement (LICA) 
   
2. Contract level: LICA-6
3. Contract duration: 4 Months - (with possibility of extension, 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 

• 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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• 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.