Humanitarian Mine Action - Senior Officer

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

About the Hub (PSC GPO, NYPO, Peace and Security Cluster (PSC))

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

About the Regional Context (GPO Global Portfolios Office (GPO))

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

Job Specific Context

In Colombia, UNOPS implements the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) programme in support of the Government of Colombia and the broader Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) sector. The programme supports national efforts related to HMA and compliance with the State’s obligations under the Ottawa Convention, while contributing to humanitarian, protection, peacebuilding, and development objectives.

UNMAS Colombia provides technical assistance to national and sub-national authorities, including the Mine Action Center (MAC)/AICMA Group under the Office of the Counselor Commissioner for Peace (OCCP), as well as to humanitarian and development actors involved in Mine Action. Through coordination, capacity development, operational support, information management, risk education, victim assistance, and policy engagement, the programme aims to strengthen institutional capacities and enable communities affected by explosive ordnance (EO) to live in safer environments.

UNMAS Colombia implements projects aligned with national Mine Action priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), humanitarian response priorities, and international Mine Action standards and commitments. As lead of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility within the Protection Cluster, UNMAS also supports coordination and integration of Mine Action within broader humanitarian and protection responses.

This position operates within a complex and sensitive environment and provides technical advisory support to the Government of Colombia and the Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) sector on matters related to mine action standards, operational safety, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), stockpile destruction, and quality management. The role supports the strengthening of national technical and operational capacities through the development of standards and procedures, specialized training, technical assessments, and advisory support to strategic national processes.

The position contributes to the oversight, coordination, monitoring, and quality assurance of mine action operations conducted by the HMA sector, ensuring compliance with National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), UNOPS Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) requirements, and applicable operational procedures. The incumbent also supports technical risk mitigation processes, operational planning, procurement and management of specialized mine action assets, stakeholder coordination, and information management, while promoting harmonized operational approaches and knowledge transfer, and continuous improvement across the sector.

PSC operates within UNOPS broader commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), as set out in the UNOPS DEI Strategy and Accountability Plan 2026-2029. Within the mine action context, these commitments are operationalised through the PSC GEDSI Strategy 2026-2029 which set expectations for inclusive recruitment, workforce representation, and the integration of GESI and PSEAH into programme delivery and implementing partner oversight. All PSC roles, including this position, are expected to contribute actively to these commitments.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Senior Officer provides technical and operational support to the implementation, monitoring, and coordination of mine action activities in Colombia. The position supports the strengthening of national and sub-national capacities related to mine action standards, operational safety, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), stockpile destruction, quality management, and information management, in alignment with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSGs), International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG), Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC), and UNOPS policies and procedures.

Under the supervision of the Head of Project Unit / Programme Management Senior Officer, and under the strategic guidance of the Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP), the Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Senior Officer will support the implementation of technical, operational, and coordination activities related to humanitarian mine action in Colombia, contributing to the achievement of programme and project objectives through the following functions:

1. Technical Advisory and Capacity Building

• Assist in providing technical support to national authorities and relevant stakeholders on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), stockpile destruction, and operational safety, in accordance with established standards and procedures.
• Support the dissemination of technical guidance, information, and awareness related to IED and explosive threats to the UN System and Humanitarian Community.
• Contribute technical inputs to the review and update of National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), technical procedures, and operational guidance in alignment with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
• Contribute technical inputs across mine action pillars, including clearance, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), victim assistance, advocacy, and stockpile destruction.
• Ensure that technical inputs to EORE, victim assistance, and advocacy activities reflect gender-differentiated analysis and inclusive approaches, including consideration of the specific needs and risks of women, girls, persons with disabilities, and other groups facing access barriers, consistent with the UNMAS Gender Guidelines for Mine Action Programmes (3rd ed. 2019), PSC GEDSI Strategy and UNOPS GESI Mainstreaming Strategy 2026–2029.
• Support the design and delivery of technical training, workshops, and capacity-building activities for governmental authorities, implementing partners, and other stakeholders with established methodologies and guidance.
• Support the implementation and strengthening of quality management and information management systems, including IMSMA-related processes.
• Keep abreast of technical developments, operational best practices, and emerging technologies relevant to humanitarian mine action.

2. Operational Monitoring and Compliance mainly regarding national capacity operators (Army and Navy)

• Support in enhancing the the national ownership/knowledge transfer process from OAS to GoC for monitoring of mine action activities implemented by partners and third parties and assist in increasing operational efficiency with applicable technical standards, accreditation requirements, SOPs, contractual obligations, and relevant international and national frameworks, including IMAS, NMAS, NTSGs, IATG, and MOSAIC.
  

• Support in quality assurance and operational monitoring processes of national capacity mine action operations.

• Support the review of technical and operational reports to contribute to programme monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

• Assist in the identification of technical and operational risks and contribute to the development of mitigation measures and corrective actions.

• Support technical inputs to incident reviews, technical investigations, or Boards of Inquiry, if required.

• Ensure activities are implemented in accordance with UNOPS Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) standards, UNOPS GESI mainstreaming principles, and PSEAH requirements, including verification that implementing partners’ activities reflect the differentiated needs and risks of women, men, girls, and boys in affected communities, consistent with sector standards..

3. Technical Procurement and Asset Management

• Support the preparation and review of technical specifications for the procurement of specialized mine action equipment and services.

• Provide technical inputs during procurement and evaluation processes related to specialized operational assets.

• Contribute to monitoring the maintenance, calibration, and safe use of technical equipment utilized by partners and third parties.

4. Stakeholder Coordination and Technical Liaison

• Support coordination and technical engagement with the National Mine Action Authority, implementing partners, humanitarian actors, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Contribute to the promotion of harmonized technical and operational approaches across the mine action sector in Colombia.

• Support coordination processes related to operational planning, technical assessments, and implementation activities.

• Support coordination with gender, protection, and women’s rights stakeholders including UN Women Colombia, women’s organisations working in conflict-affected communities, and GBV referral networks to ensure mine action activities reflect protection priorities and reach all affected community members, consistent with the UNOPS GESI Mainstreaming Strategy 2026–2029 (Action 3.1) and WPS commitments under Colombia’s National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

• Promote effective collaboration and communication among stakeholders while ensuring adherence to professional and ethical standards.

5. Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Support the maintenance of technical records, operational documentation, and accreditation-related files.

• Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned, operational challenges, and good practices to support institutional knowledge management.

• Support the preparation of technical reports, assessments, presentations, and other programme documentation as required.

• Contribute to data collection, analysis, and information-sharing processes to support evidence-based decision-making.

• Keep abreast of and contribute to the incorporation of the latest best practices, approaches, and technologies to enhance operational effectiveness and programme delivery.

Required

• Bachelor's degree with 4 years of relevant experience. OR

• Master's degree with 2 years of relevant experience

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management in a military, humanitarian, conflict, peacebuilding, post-conflict, or development context.
• A minimum of 4 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in explosive hazard management is required, in particular, experience managing one or more of the following activities: Explosive Ordnance Disposal including multiple items and logistical demolitions, Mechanical assisted clearance operations in an urban environment, Manual mine clearance, Battle Area Clearance (BAC), Road clearance, Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD), as well Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) . 
• Experience applying one of the following standards is required: International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
• Experience using information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.
• EOD Level 3 certification is required. Certificate to be submitted as part of the application.

Desired

• Experience applying the following standards: Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) is desired.
• Experience in supporting national or external stakeholders' capacity building is desired.
• Experience liaising with National Mine Action Authorities (NMAAs), government stakeholders, and/or directing humanitarian demining operations.
• Experience applying gender-sensitive or inclusive approaches in humanitarian mine action, EORE, victim assistance, or capacity building with affected communities is desirable.
• Experience supporting the design and delivery of technical training programme for governmental authorities or external stakeholders.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
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• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.