Operations Assistant

UNOPS Overview

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNMAS Overview

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

• Assist the WAM Advisor in preparing and delivering technical support to AUSSOM, FGS and FMS with Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) to reduce the risk of loss, theft and diversion and Unplanned Explosions at Munition Sites (UEMS).

• Assist the WAM Advisor in preparing and supporting requirements to AUSSOM and FGS with the development of policies and procedures to improve and standardize the processing of captured weapons and ammunition. The procedures will be developed in conjunction with the appropriate weapons and ammunition storage, marking and recording keeping standards.

• Coordinate engagements with focal points and stakeholders relevant to Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) activities in Somalia.

• Assist the WAM Advisor in maintaining a log on the disposal of illicit, surplus, and obsolete weapons and ammunition constitutes as an important element of a comprehensive WAM programme which is part of the procedures and capacities for the safe disposal of weapons and ammunition.  

• Provide logistical support, including coordination and minute-taking to stakeholder engagements related to WAM.

• Coordinate with the WAM Advisor and FGS to deliver technical assessments of Somalia’s weapons and ammunition management capability to inform recommendations for improvement at the FGS and FMS levels. Assessments are fundamental to inform targeted and evidence-based control measures and will enable the FGS to optimize and mobilize available resources and seek tailored support.

• Through researching and referencing, assist the WAM Advisor in preparing technical guidance to improve measures and interventions to curb the illicit flows of weapons and ammunition into and within Somalia and mitigate their adverse impact on security and stability.

• Support the Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) Advisor in creating implementation concepts to enhance the centralized system for the importation, registration, and distribution of weapons and ammunition, and to establish transfer controls for effective and harmonized practices while strengthening federal control.

• Assist in delivering technical advice to the FGS with improvements in efficiency of weapons marking and record-keeping programs at the federal level and incrementally extend similar capacity to the state level, including improvements to strengthen record-keeping systems across all forces and along the supply chain. 

• Arrange meetings and engagements with stakeholders, including relevant FGS and FMS ministries as required.

• Assist with monitoring technical recommendations to ensure all advice and support is provided in alignment with relevant international standards and assist with interpretation and translation as required (English to Somali).

• Implement any other tasks requested by the HPU and/or WAM Advisor.

A.  Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration, Finance, Procurement, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Project Management or Communications with one (1) year of experience would be an asset and may substitute required years of experience.

B. Work Experience

• A minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience working in the project implementation supporting/ assisting project related to the Security Sector, Operational support, Project management, Stockpile/Logistics Management or related fields is required. 

• Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices is highly desirable.

• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.

• Experience in working with or coordinating with government agencies is desired.

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C. Language Requirements 

• For this position, fluency in English Language (i.e. writing, reading and speaking) is required.
• Fluency in Somali is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 5 / ICS 5

Contract duration: Ongoing (Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to 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 

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

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.

Africa Region Based in Nairobi, Kenya the Africa Region supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Somalia Country Office:

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners.