Head of Division - Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT)

Job Purpose

Established in January 2019 as a joint initiative of UNODA and GICHD, the Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT) is anchored at and managed by the GICHD and supports the operationalization of the UN SaferGuard Programme and provides technical assistance to States and partners in the safe, secure and sustainable through-life ammunition management, in accordance with the IATG.

Under the direction of the Director of Operations, the HoD will provide strategic vision to AMAT by guiding Programme Managers in the delivery of programme objectives that achieve maximum impact in the ammunition management sector. In doing so, they will work in close collaboration with other HoDs within the Operations Directorate,across the organisation as a whole, as well as in close collaboration with UNODA under the UN SaferGuard programme. The HoD should support the Director of Operations by ensuring contact and follow-up with relevant stakeholders; this is to ensure that overarching coordination is being carried out and that major needs as well as trends are recognised and taken into consideration with regards to planning, implementation and evaluation. The HoD will support the overall management of the Centre by serving on the GICHD Leadership Team and helping to frame the overall strategic direction of the Centre.

Key responsibilities

1. Oversee the Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT) within the GICHD, including ensuring alignment of all activities with the over-arching GICHD organizational strategy and contributing to and coordinating with the UN SaferGuard programme.
2. Oversee AMATannual planning processes, including the development of programme portfolios, in accordance with the GICHD strategy and in coordination and support of the UN SaferGuard programme.
3. Ensure the coordination of support implemented by AMAT’s programmes, ensuring an effective prioritization of the Division’s resources based on requests by states, operators, donors and international and regional organisations as well as the analysis undertaken by AMAT.
4. Oversee the implementation of programmes’ projects and activities in accordance with agreed work plans (including objectives, priorities, and resources).
5. Act as main point of liaison between the GICHD and UNODA, as well as any other partners operating in the framework of the UN SaferGuard Programme.
6. Collaborate closely with all Heads of Division and Programme Managers under the GICHD’s Operations Directorate and the External Relations, Policy and Cooperation Programme Division to ensure comprehensive, holistic approaches for the implementation of joint work are pursued.
7. Plan, review and be accountable for financial and human resources for AMAT, including staff recruitment and appraisal, budget monitoring and donor reporting. This responsibility is to be implemented in close cooperation with the Finance Division, the People & Culture Team and the Grants Team.
8. Contribute to the resource mobilization efforts of the Centre in validation of AMAT’s project proposals and/or contributions to broader proposals in the Centre and through providing substance to discussions with donors, as requested by the Director of Operations and other donor stewards.
9. Promote and strengthen the role of the GICHD via AMAT as a resource for safe and secure management of ammunition (SSMA) and a thought leader for ammunition management in the Explosive Ordnance Risk Reduction (EORR) sector.
10. Liaise with diverse national authorities, donor bodies and relevant international, regional and non-governmental organisations on SSMA.
11. Convene, in consultation with UNODA, and act as secretary to AMAT Advisory Council meetings; chair AMAT Divisional Meetings; and oversee AMAT’s support to the UN SagerGuardTechnical Review Board–Strategic Coordination Group meetings.
12. Act as member of the GICHD’s Leadership Team, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the Centre.
13. Maintain close working relations with UNODA, including in the elaboration and execution of AMAT strategic plans.

Job requirements

• An advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent, such as a senior command and staff qualification) in International Development, Economics, Public or Business administration, International Relations, Political Science or other subjects of relevance.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in mine action, military, police or security management may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of previous relevant work experience in EORR and/or disarmament or any equivalent experience in the humanitarian and development sector.
• Demonstrated qualifications/experience in ammunition management.
• Fluency in English, both written and oral; fluency in an any other language spoken in countries of intervention an advantage.
• Excellent project management, analytical, planning and organizational skills.
• Effective writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to lead teams operating in multi-cultural settings with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of UN agencies, relevant national authorities, NGOs and humanitarian organisations.
• Proven experience in managing multi-donor programmes and projects.
• Experience and ability in managing teams in multi-cultural settings.
• Experience in resource mobilisation and liaison with international donor representatives.
• Competence in developing networks and partnerships with organisations and states.

Operating network

• Heads of government and military bodies responsible for arms and ammunition stockpile management.
• State and non-state representatives of AMAT Advisory Council.
• Relevant donor bodies, state arms control agencies and UN agencies’ department chiefs.
• Heads of international and regional organisations’ departments dealing with security and safety of ammunition and explosives materials.
• Representatives of permanent missions based in Geneva and New York.
• Directors of partner organisations.

Travel requirements

May be required to travel occasionally. Expected to travel up to 25% of the working time including to countries affected by explosive ordnance, with low-medium-high risk environment.

Salary Information

Please note that the salary level for this role is CHF 160'949.- yearly gross, subject to social security deductions and income tax. The GICHD applies a progressive salary scheme The compensation policy is currently under review and is subject to change. This is an open-ended contract.

Applications

If you feel you have the right profile to take this challenge, kindly register your application on-line, including a CV in English on pdf format of maximum 2 pages and a letter of motivation.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2024

The GICHD implements a Gender and Diversity policy and is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are encouraged from women and men, nationals of mine-affected countries and individuals with a disability or special needs, who meet the above profile requirements.