IED Mitigation Planning Officer

Mali is facing a problem of weapon and explosive hazard contamination, as a result of long-standing and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to MINUSMA and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.

UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats, in support of United Nations Security Council resolution 2085 (2012). In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council resolution 2295 (2016). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS to implement a mine action programme in Mali. The UNMAS mine action programme in Mali is seeking to:

• Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel;
• Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations;
• Improve the protection of civilians.    

The Associate Programme Officer will be based in Bamako, working in support of UNMAS activities throughout Mali and may travel to the northern regions on occasion. 

The IED Mitigation Planning Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager for UNMAS support to MINUSMA. He/she will act as the planning focal point for the project. He or she will, under the supervision of the Project Manager:

• Assist the project in the design of plans of action (multi-year strategy, annual and monthly work plans, procurement plan, recruitment plan) and oversee Project team members contribution to planning works;
• Monitor the implementation of the project activities and to that effect create and maintain monitoring tools;
• Assist the project in the design, maintenance and monitoring of management documents (work packages, risk register, issue logs, stakeholder map, storyboards);
• Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the implementation progress;
• Provide substantive inputs in the preparation of the project monitoring and evaluation reports;
• Provide overall staff support to the Project Manager;
• Proactively coordinate the planning and delivery the delivery of activities with Operation Branch and Support Services;
• Ensure technical coherence and accuracy for all planning involving IED threat mitigation, in line with current tactics, techniques and procedures, Mission SOP, UNMAS policy, and the Counter-IED framework in Mali.
• Liaise and build relationships within MINUSMA for the purpose of facilitating activities with priority for, but not limited to, IED threat mitigation;
• Work with the Force to encourage systematic integration of the requirements for IED mitigation actions into all stages of the strategic and operational planning process to ensure that objectives can realistically be achieved;
• Provide IED Mitigation inputs for the establishment and development of MINUSMA standard operational procedures (SOPs), for prevention and mitigation measures and reporting procedures;
• Document plans and processes;
• Support the identification and the compilation of lessons learned. Focus shall be placed on continuous technical improvement within the project, comprising advisory services, training, mentorship, equipment, service provision, and direct implementation of IED threat mitigation measures;
• Act as OIC for the project in the absence of the Project Manager;
• Implement any other tasks as requested by the Project Manager.
• Prepare and present outputs, activities and indicators in line with the objectives of the
• Project;
• Deliver detailed work plan and subsequent planning of the activities as per the objectives of the Project;
• Monitor the conduct and delivery of these activities;
• Assist the UNMAS project Manager (support to MINUSMA) in developing planning strategies;
• Evaluate the risks, identify the issues and the appropriate responses;
• Ensure the coordination of activities with UNMAS Mali operations and support services;
• Ensure the coordination of activities with the beneficiaries;
• Reports the progresses of the Project planned activities and the completion of objectives;
• Prepare and present planning briefings and presentations.
  
  

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Assist with the definition of the outputs and activities to meet the project objectives;
• Liaise with MINUSMA to plan the proper delivery of outputs to the beneficiaries;
• Submit proposed plans with a clear description of risks and mitigating measures;
• Keep the Project Manager and the Project Team aware of any planning change.

a.    Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Project Management, International Relations or related subject with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or
• Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at the Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience.
  

b.    Certifications

• PRINCE2® Foundation or Practitioner, or an equivalent certification is an asset but required completion within first 6 months of onboarding.
  

c.    Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant and progressive working experience in the military/defense sector.
• At least  5 years of working experience in the field of operation management and/or planning in a peacekeeping or military context.
• At least 2 years of experience in explosive hazard management including EOD/C-IED operations.
• Effective knowledge of MS office required.
• Experience working in a French-speaking environment is highly desirable
• UN experience in Peacekeeping context is highly desirable

d.    Languages

• Fluency in English and basic in French is mandatory or fluency in French and intermediate in English. Completion of a training course for the language at intermediate level will be required within first 6 months of onboarding.

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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 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.