Explosive Ordnance Risk Education and Victim Assistance Advisor

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.

Background Information - Peace and Security Cluster (PSC)

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has served as a key implementation platform supporting the work of its largest partner, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Through a strategic partnership, PSC delivers interlinked portfolio, programme, and project management services, reinforced by robust oversight and risk management controls tailored to operations in complex and high-risk environments.

Operating under the leadership of the Cluster Director - who holds overall authority and accountability for PSC’s performance on behalf of its clients - the Cluster provides day-to-day management of UNMAS field programmes. This includes comprehensive support across human resources, procurement, contract management, planning, implementation and financial oversight, ensuring full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations and donor requirements.

PSC’s service delivery is complemented by cross-cutting initiatives, including knowledge and information management, gender equality, diversity and inclusion and quality assurance. The Cluster enables agile deployment and operational flexibility, allowing field programmes to respond swiftly to shifting needs in dynamic operational contexts. It also plays an essential role in donor reporting and visibility, ensuring that funding is used transparently and effectively.

Background Information - UNMAS

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). UNMAS leads operational responses, coordinates mine action across the UN system, and contributes to global standards and policy development. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies." 

Operating under mandates from both the UN General Assembly and Security Council, UNMAS functions as a specialized service within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO).. UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. 

UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of IEDs and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. UNMAS chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and leads the Mine Action Area of Responsibility under the Global Protection Cluster. It also chairs the IMAS Review Board and leads the UN Coordinating Task Force on IEDs, supporting the Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda.

The Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and Victim Assistance (VA) Advisor provides technical expertise, capacity building, and operational guidance to enhance EORE and VA programming. 

Under the overall supervision of the UNOPS PSC Global Technical Advisor or designated UNOPS field programme’s Supervisor, the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and Victim Assistance (VA) Advisor will conduct the following duties: 

1. Technical Advisory, Training, and Capacity Enhancement

• Provide guidance to the UNOPS PSC and field programmes on matters related to EORE and VA. 
• Conduct desk review and consultations to collect data and updated information on EORE and VA in support of UNOPS PSC and field programmes.
• Provide EORE and VA technical support and capacity enhancement opportunities to national mine action staff, implementing partners, contractors and government actors. This may include delivering specific training and quality assurance activities.
• Lead the development of new age and gender sensitive EORE materials for direct and indirect sessions as required.
• Provide guidance to support advocacy and promote EORE/VA initiatives in APMBC and CCM meetings (SPM, IM, NDM) and other relevant fora (GPC, EORE AG, etc.).

2. Operational Coordination

• Direct and implement the strategic direction of EORE and VA in compliance with the Country Programme Strategy of UNOPS PSC and field programmes. 
• Form partnerships and maintain existing relationships with other humanitarian actors and contribute to the EORE and VA mine action components. 
• Receive and redirect questions and requests to UNMAS that result from the sub-cluster and/or UN-related Humanitarian initiatives.
• Liaise with and coordinate closely with the national and regional authorities on EORE and VA activities and training requests.
• Represent UNOPS PSC and field programmes in technical EORE and VA forums and be the principal focal point for external representation on these issues.

3. Project and Grant Management

• Develop Call for Proposals and Statement of Works for EORE and VA activities, specifically including for indirect EORE and EORE material development.
• Develop calls for proposals for the development of UNOPS PSC and field programmes’ VA strategy, or develop a sectoral/organisational strategy, consulting with all relevant stakeholders, that outlines the needs, gaps and priorities. 
• Provide support to the implementing partner/contractor in the development of the strategy and consultations with stakeholders. 
• Oversee the overall execution of EORE and VA grants and contracts in close collaboration with implementing partners/contractors.
• Organise stakeholder meetings on EORE and VA as needed, including close collaboration with national counterparts. 
• Provide guidance on integration of EORE and VA across other grant and contract processes if required. 
• Ensure duties and administrative actions are implemented according to UNOPS policy, within the scope of UN and UNMAS mandates, and in compliance with agreements with donors.

4. Information Management and Reporting

• Maintain up-to-date statistics on Risk Education and VA achievements and support information transfer to Government databases as applicable.
• Provide input to proposals, internal and external reports, and any other programmatic/projects documents as required.
• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the UNOPS PSC Global Technical Advisor or the designated UNOPS Programme representative.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; OR

• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; OR

• Secondary school diploma (high school or equivalent) with a minimum or 11 years of relevant experience is required.

Relevant experience is defined as experience in Explosive Ordnance Risk Education programming in conflict settings AND designing and delivering Victim Assistance programming. 

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in project management is required.

• Experience working on humanitarian operations in conflict settings is desired.

• Experience working in mine action is desired.

• Experience in grant management is desired.

• Experience in workshop planning and facilitation is desired.

• Experience advancing workforce inclusion and iterating gender and PSEAH/safeguarding into project implementation and implementing partner oversight is desired.

• 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• 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.