Senior advisor on Mine Action

Result of Service Deliverables of initial consultancy

1. Initial report on mission findings, outline of a mine action strategy for Yemen and proposal for next steps to complete the strategy and resource mobilization plan. 2. Terms of reference for follow-up mission/next consultancy, including proposed deliverables. 3. Concept note for mine action under the Peace Support Facility

Work Location Amman / Sana'a / Aden / Remotely

Expected duration 6 weeks

Duties and Responsibilities Background Since the start of the nationwide truce in Yemen on 2 April 2022, the number of civilian casualties related to explosive remnants of war (ERW) and landmines has significantly increase compared to the six months prior, according to open-source reporting. The areas most affected are the wider frontline areas in Hodeidah and Al Jawf Governorates. The lull in fighting has allowed civilians to move more freely, which has increased their exposure to landmines and UXO. Severe seasonal rainfall and flooding have also reportedly exacerbated these threats, with devices drifting into new areas, warning signs being destroyed, and increased population displacement into potentially contaminated areas.

Widespread contamination prevents safe returns, and further limits economic and livelihood activities, including by rendering agricultural land unusable and impeding domestic transportation. Contamination also poses risks to humanitarians delivering aid, with physical access restraints related to the presence of mines and UXO reported regularly. The conflict has also left a significant sea mine presence off the coast, a remnant threat to shipping for a nation that imports by sea over 90% of its food. Mine action in Yemen is at a critical inflection point. While the truce was not renewed in October, truce-like conditions prevail. Despite the spike in mine-related casualties, the relative absence of fighting presents new opportunities for tackling contamination. With the support of regional partners, prospects are improving for a negotiated political settlement, with clear potential for mine action as a confidence-building measure. Reconstruction, the reopening of roads and ports are priorities for both parties. A coordinated, timely scale-up of mine action would not only save lives but promote economic activity, contribute to durable solutions for internally displaced persons, and support the facilitation of programmes across the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus. Response and gaps The mine action response in Yemen is divided between areas controlled by the Government of Yemen (GoY) and the Houthi de facto authority (DFA). The leading national authority in both areas is Yemen Mine Action Centre (YEMAC), with the body operating independently through its offices in Sana’a and Aden respectively. The primary UN coordination mechanism is the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) that has been led by UNDP under the Protection Cluster coordinates mine risk education and tracks land cleared or surveyed. The Yemen Mine Action Coordination Cell (YMACC) has been established in IRG-controlled areas to bring together partners including INGOs, commercial companies and YEMAC.

Within the UN Country Team, UNDP implements a mine action programme that targets both the north and south of Yemen. The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen is currently exploring three confidence-building initiatives on mine action, two focused on the divided Governorate of Taiz, and one to train first responders nominated by both sides to react to mine incidents. UNDP’s Peace Support Facility, which is co-chaired by the Special Envoy and the RC/HC, represents a potential channel for mine action funding in the future. Beyond the UN, several international NGOs are operating mine action, assessment and education programmes in Yemen, including Halo Trust, Mercy Corp and MAG. Across the UN and NGOs, mine action programmes share similar challenges. Overall, there is sense among stakeholders that coordination could be improved, both among international mine action actors and with Yemeni authorities. The UNDP programme has been hampered by a lack of access to the north and a serious funding shortfall and will be completely closed by the end of 2023. The authorities in Sana’a have generally challenged the presence of international NGOs to conduct or oversee mine clearance in the north, requiring that all mine action funding be channelled through YEMAC. Sanctions on importing equipment that may be considered “dual use” have caused delays in importing essential mine action equipment. Monitoring and evaluation of mine action programmes, including verification of the destruction of mines to prevent reuse, has not been systematically carried out. These challenges are reflected in the results on the ground. According to the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan, 5.3 million people needed humanitarian mine action assistance, at a total cost of $25 million. Only 50% of funding was received. Between January and August 2022, only 10% of the targeted population was reached by mine risk education activities, and 38% of identified contaminated land was cleared or surveyed. The response gap in areas cleared or surveyed between IRG- and DFA-controlled areas is substantial, with the Aden Hub reporting a much higher land clearance rate than DFA-controlled areas. Gaps in mine risk education are more evenly spread across both areas.

Objectives

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen (RC/HC) is prioritizing mine action as a key strategic initiative in 2023. Recognizing the need to reset the mine action agenda in Yemen, the RC/HC seeks to appoint a senior expert within the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO). The Senior Adviser on Mine Action will report to the Resident Coordinator and work towards the following objectives: 1. Establish an overall mine action strategy for Yemen, including a foundation to kick start activities in the north. 2. Develop a resource mobilization strategy.

Scope of consultancy

The Senior Adviser is expected to be engaged in Yemen over a six-month period, allowing sufficient time to complete the work necessary to achieve the overall objectives.

The RCO seeks to engage the Senior Adviser on an initial inception consultancy of 37 days with the following approximate timeline and expectations: - From beginning of contract to 22 April: 10 working days of remote desk work, to include meetings with UNMAS, UNDP, OCHA in New York and calls with the field. - From 23 April to 9 May: Travel from NY to Amman for stakeholder consultations + travel into Yemen for stakeholder consultations + return to NY (17 days total including travel days) - From 9-31 May: 10 working days of remote desk work to complete deliverables.

This initial consultancy is offered on the understanding that the Senior Adviser will be available for follow-up consultancies over the succeeding six months.

Qualifications/special skills A Master's degree or equivalent in political science, international law, economics, community development or any other related area is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of ten years of professional experience in conducting complex analysis and providing strategic advice and recommendations on country-level mine action strategy, coordination and partnerships is required. An experience with high level representation with both national and local government officials and authorities as well as coordination experience with UN country teams, political and/or peacekeeping missions and development partners is required.

Languages Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.