Operations – Senior Associate

Contract

This is a LICA-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-7 contracts.

Background Information - PSC

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. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing 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.

UNMAS

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.

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to AMISOM as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis are delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AMISOM Sector Headquarters and at AMISOM Force Headquarters, who support AMISOM planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Manager for Capacity Building (CB) in Humanitarian Explosive Management for Stabilisation (HEMS), the Operations Associate will be responsible for contributing the coordination of Humanitarian Explosive Hazard Management related projects, activities of UNMAS, Somalia. While performing these duties, he/she is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedure of the UN security management system and that of UNOPS.

Under the direct supervision of HEMS CB Project manager, he/she will be responsible the following main duties:

Functional Responsibilities

• Cooperate in the capacity building of the staff of the Somali Explosives Management Authority (SEMA) at HQ and Regional level, including efforts to improve national mine action capacity in Somalia.
• Assist with the setting up for internal and external UNMAS HEMS meetings and preparation of related briefing materials and recording of meeting minutes.
• Support coordination amongst (EH) Explosive Hazard sub-cluster members and represent UNMAS HEMS in Protection Clusters and United Nations Country Team (UNCT) coordination forums, to actively engage stakeholders and improve Mine Action response in Somalia.
• Manage all aspects of Mine Action related activities within HEMS, carried out by Humanitarian mine action partners.
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation, execution and completion of all UNMAS HEMS related Mine Action operations in Somalia.
• Support liaison with external stakeholders including national mine action authorities.
• Participate in field monitoring and Quality Assurance (QA) missions as per project and program plans.
• Support in providing substantive inputs to assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project reports.
• Translate documents when requested from Somali to English and vice versa, in line with United Nations Standards and of various types of documents covering a broad range of subject matters dealt with by UNMAS HEMS.
• Conduct regular coordination with contractors and SEMA Operations and Information Management Sections, and check data prior to it being sent for input into UNMAS Programme Management Office (PMO).
• Ensure all UNMAS HEMS related correspondence is received, dispatched and recorded.
• Develop and maintain a tracking system to assist the Project Manager HEMS in following up on project pending issues.
• Follow up on project action points to ensure deadlines are met, address delays and bring to the attention of Project Manager HEMS.
• When requested, assist to conduct formal investigations of mine action incidents/accidents.
• Assist to analyze project reports, investigations and preparation of recommended adjustments as required.
• Produce regular progress reports on his/her specific allocated tasks to the Project Manager HEMS.
• Perform backstopping role during the absence of colleagues, under the overall supervision of Supervisor or Head of Programmes.
• Verify field reports through the IMSMA core platform and update smart-sheet project logs.
• Support knowledge sharing and on job capacity building for Somali national mine action authority staff.
• Support reporting to Protection Cluster and participate in coordination meetings.
• Monitor project assets, incoming shipments and dispatching shipment to field locations.
• Provide administrative supports including field missions and leave rotation to project staff.
• Any other duties as assigned by the UNMAS HEMS PM and/or immediate supervisor.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*******CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY****** *******Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply****

a)** Education- A First Level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of three years of relevant experience is required; OR - High School (Secondary or equivalent) with seven years of relevant experience is required.

b) Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management, operation management, operation support, project support, analysis or planning;
• Experience in Explosive Hazard Management is required;
• Experience in supporting operations in a humanitarian, conflict, post conflict or development context is desired;
• Experience in Computer Literacy is required

c) Language

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

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA-7 and
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and 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

Additional Considerations

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

Background Information - UNOPS

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.