Associate Arms Control and Monitoring Officer

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (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.

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.

MONUSCO Arms Embargo Cell

In January 2015, the Arms Embargo Working Group (AEWG) was established to coordinate MONUSCO’s efforts on the arms embargo. In May 2015, the Chair of the 1533 Sanctions Committee visited DRC for the first time, which brought the arms embargo into sharper focus within the mission. Later the same year, the AEWG was reinforced by an Arms Embargo Cell (AEC). On 27 March 2018 the UN Security Council in resolution 2409 (2018) extended MONUSCO’s mandate and included a focus on how MONUSCO could increase its impact on the arms embargo.

SCR 2409 (of 27 March 2018) was unanimously adopted by the Security Council with the stated specific objective under the sanctions regime for MONUSCO to “monitor the implementation of the arms embargo as described in paragraph 1 of resolution 2293 (2016) in cooperation with the Group of Experts established by resolution 1533 (2004), and in particular observe and report on flows of military personnel, arms or related materiel across the eastern border of the DRC” (OP37iii); as well as “continued national efforts to address the threat posed by the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons” (OP45).

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

Under the direct supervision of the Arms Control and Monitoring Officer, your duties and responsibilities will be:

• Gather information on arms (including ammunition) flows and advise on short term exploitation of information;
• Participate in synchronizing and harmonizing the information flows on the arms embargo and gathered information within MONUSCO;
• Work closely with the Arms Control and Monitoring Officer to continuously update and roll out the identification booklet.
• Support regular timely updates and maintenance of the databases kept by the Arms Embargo Cell. 
• Work closely with UNMAS and UNPOL Serious Organized Crimes Support Unit (SOCSU) to support DRC’s long-term capacity to develop information and enhance use of gathered information;
• Support the implementation of trainings at all stages including but not limited to the provision of presentations on the arms embargo and its monitoring.
• Perform any other tasks as instructed by supervisors according to the identified needs of the Arms Embargo Cell.

* CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international law, development studies, or related field with 2 years of relevant work experience; OR
• A First level university degree (Bachelor degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international law, development studies or related field with 4 years of relevant experience; OR 
• Military or police experience with 8 years of relevant work experience is required. 

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in arms embargo activities or other related experience in post-conflict environments

• Fluency in French (speak, read, and write) is required
• Intermediate in English (speak, read, write) is required

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.

We value our people and recognize the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. UNOPS has a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offers flexible working options. This applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types across the globe.

UNOPS 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.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner 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 we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.