Operations Officer (ECM Technician)

1. General Background 

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background Information - Peace and Security Cluster 

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine

action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of

mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible to administer,

provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both

according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Centre Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

Background Information – UNMAS

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is the coordinator for Mine Action within the

United Nations system, located within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). It chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and is the lead of the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR). Mine action comprises five areas of work: clearance, risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction. The United Nations applies mine action expertise to an increasingly wide range of explosive hazards, from unexploded missiles, artillery shells, rockets, grenades and mortars, to unsafe and unsecured weapons and ammunition, improvised explosive devices and cluster bombs. UNMAS leads, coordinates and carries out efforts to mitigate these threats when mandated by the United Nations Security Council or, when requested by the Secretary-General or an affected country, often in response to a humanitarian emergency.

Background Information – UNMAS Somalia

UNMAS Somalia as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) In line with the UN’s strategic priorities, UNMAS Somalia works across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, supporting emergency response, enabling stabilization, and fostering resilience. Its partnerships with donors, UN agencies, Somali authorities, and implementing organizations are crucial to delivering impactful and sustainable mine action interventions. Strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders—including government counterparts, international partners, and private sector actors—is essential to advancing Somalia’s security and development objectives.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager for the AU Mission Support, the Operations Officer - electronic countermeasures (ECM) Technician will play a critical role in UNMAS Somalia’s efforts to  reduce the threat posed by Radio Controlled IED’s (RCIED’s), specifically during manual approaches by IEDD Operators, UNMAS Somalia will deploy several ECM Systems across the AU Mission Operational Sectors. An ECM Operations Officer is required to ensure operational monitoring of the deployed ECM Systems, the regular maintenance of the ECM System and the training of ECM users. The position will directly interface with the AU Mission Support Project Operations Team and the Training & Mentoring Contractor. To fulfill the required tasks, the Operations Officer - ECM Technician will be based in Mogadishu with frequent deployments across the 6 AU Mission Operational Sectors.

2. Functional Responsibilities

Advisory Role

• Provide technical assistance in the installation and setup of the electronic countermeasures (ECM) System.

• Provide technical advice and guidance to AU Mission IEDD/Search team personnel, ATMIS Support Project Operations Team and the Training & Mentoring Contracted Staff.

• Provide core and refresher ECM system training to AU Mission IEDD/Search team personnel, ATMIS Support Project Operations Team and the Training & Mentoring Contracted Staff. ATMIS operators as required.

• Responsible to ensure the provision of scheduled servicing of the ECM System is carried out, the identification of failures reported by the ECM System, the solving, repairing or if necessary, escalation of faults to the provider's technical services

• Maintain a technical working relationship with the ECM System provider and document resolutions and analyses trends to prevent technical issues and problems.

• Perform basic checks, preventive maintenance functions, incident management, troubleshooting and service restoration activities as directed by the ECM System provider.

• Responsible for uploading and maintaining the current threat waveforms provided by the ECM System provider into the ECM System.

• Ensure first and second levels of maintenance of the ECM System are in place in accordance with the ECM System provider.

• Ensure the management of spare parts stock and identification of required spare parts and immediately inform the AU Mission Support Project Manager of potential hardware/software problems so that an adequate service layer may be maintained at a specified level.

• Draft for approval all ECM System technical procedures, publications and guidelines.

Administration

• Perform comprehensive administrative management pertaining to the country ECM System, including liaising with all stakeholders.

• Provide weekly and ad hoc reports on ECM operational activities and implications on the project.

• Provide input towards UNMAS internal strategic review processes; to provide recommendations to improve the quality of the project.

• When requested, fulfill the role of the specialist ECM Investigating Officer for Detailed Independent Investigations or Boards of Inquiry for explosive hazard accidents or incidents.

•  Other tasks as directed by the AU Mission Support Project Manager.

Education/Experience/Language requirements 

a. Education 

• A Master’s degree or equivalent with 5 years of relevant experience. 

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience. 

b. Work Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience as an ECM System Operator or an ECM System Maintenance Technician

• Minimum 2 years of experience in an advisory and/or training capacity for senior military personnel is required.

• knowledge of worldwide terrorist tactics and specifically within the Africa context is desired. 

• Proven experience of Quality Management Systems is desired

• Experience of Google Suite and or Web-based Management Systems is desired.

c. Language 

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

• Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is desired.

• 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.