Country: Ethiopia

Organization: UNOPS

Closing date: 13 Sep 2023

Background Information – UNOPS

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 organisations.

Background Information – PSC (Peace and Security Cluster)

For over 20 years, UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has provided portfolio and project management services in the area of mine action and explosive hazards, that are reinforced by comprehensive management and oversight controls.

Under this umbrella, the Cluster is responsible for the implementation of projects that, through the engagement of inputs such as personnel, third parties, assets and other resources, deliver activities that produce substantive mine action outputs.

Project management is conducted in line with UNOPS Project Management Manual (PMM), which incorporates best practices in the field, as well with a view to quality and cross-cutting initiatives such as workforce and talent management; knowledge and information management; health, safety, social and environmental management; gender parity and mainstreaming; and diversity and inclusion. This comprehensive delivery platform is implemented in accordance with partner requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations through the leadership of the Cluster Director, who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients.

Background Information - Country/Programme Specific

Recent assessments indicate widespread explosive ordnance contamination in Northern Ethiopia including Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions, especially in areas that have seen intense fighting. While the full extent and impact of the contamination is yet to be established, the fighting is believed to have contaminated vast swathes of land with explosive remnants of war (ERW). Moreover, explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue affecting the life of civilians, in recent months. ERW is spread across residential areas and internally displaced persons sites, in communal locations and amongst rubble, posing an immediate risk to life, the delivery of humanitarian aid, inhibiting safe movement, and preventing access to basic services.

The project aims to reduce the immediate and long-term impact of explosive ordnance on civilians and humanitarian operations in northern Ethiopia through coordination and explosive ordnance risk education. As lead of the mine action area of responsibility, ensuring MA contributes to improving the safety of at-risk communities by establishing a humanitarian mine action sector, capable of effectively delivering on the objectives of the Humanitarian Response Plan, the Mine Action Response Programme defines and implements specific activities in accordance with emerging humanitarian needs and through needs-based prioritization, involving an analysis of the explosive ordnance threat, IDPs movement, survey data, and the wider humanitarian response.

2. Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the International Operations Specialist and the overall supervision of the Head of Project Unit, the Operations Officer - Quality Assurance will perform the following duties:

• Support the operational management of mine action (MA) activities in Ethiopia

• Support the Operations Specialist with the coordination of mine action activities in their Area of Operations

• Support the Operations Specialist with the implementation of all operational activities including quality assurance of ongoing MA activities

• Contribute to the implementation of a QA management system and ensure that the system is being applied in a fair and equitable manner

• Assist the Operations Specialist during Explosive Ordnance Assessment activities in the Area of Operations

• Ensure that Mine Action Organisation Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are in compliance with the IMAS and that the activities are conducted in a safe and effective manner

• Review mine action implementing partners' weekly and monthly reports to ensure outputs align with their contractual obligations

• Oversee data entry into IMSMA, and/or Mine Action Database, of all mine action field reports and returns

• Support the Operations Specialist in maintaining professional and close working relationships with the Government and relevant regional authorities

• Support the development of operational plans, work procedures, and guidelines for mine action activities

• Participate in field visits to assess the progress of mine action activities and provide technical guidance

• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, quality standards, and best practices in all mine action operations

• Contribute to the training and capacity-building of mine action personnel

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

3. Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) combined with two (2) years of relevant experience

OR

A First Level University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) combined with four (4) years of relevant experience

OR

Military or Police experience with at least eight (8) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

Relevant experience is defined as operational experience in a humanitarian mine action context.

• A minimum of 2 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in a Humanitarian Mine Action context, specifically in manual mine clearance, battle area clearance and quality assurance is required

• Experience applying International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is desired

Certification

Explosive Ordnance Disposal certification is an asset

EOD qualification must be from organizations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards - Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.

Languages

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

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

How to apply

https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=26676#4