Chief of Operations - Peace and Security Cluster

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

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. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and 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. It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Cluster is to rapidly deploy project personnel to the field. To accomplish this, it has established a Pool of Experts, from which it deploys and re-deploys personnel in order to fulfil personnel vacancies.  A Pool of Experts is a roster of specialists whose technical knowledge and personal suitability has been evaluated and approved in advance, allowing them to be deployed on short notice and in short order.   Pool members can be deployed on any of UNOPS contract modalities: FTA, TA, or I-ICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement).

• Manage  operational activities and personnel in the area of Operations, including the current operations and future planning;  oversee the daily operational activities;
• In coordination with national authorities, peacekeeping missions and other UN agencies  develop the annual prioritization and tasking plan;
• Collect, analyse and disseminate all recent and available mine/UXO information through supervision/coordination of  team responsible for entering information  into IMSMA accurately and timely and for collating it  into reports or appropriate reporting formats;
• Identify operational priorities and coordinate cost effective mine action operations in the area in accordance with nationally established criteria;
• Interact with the Quality Assurance (QA) Section on operational matters;
• Participate in Boards of Inquiry initiated by the Programme Director or Programme Manager on accidents and/or  operational incidents playing an advisory role  and providing  relevant operational input/contribution to these boards;
• Manage the Planning and Operations teams to develop and implement survey and clearance plans;
• Plan for and ensure accurate, regular and timely reporting of operational issues/activities;
• Contribute to development of plans, reports and related documents to facilitate implementation of  programme activities;
• Maintain internationally recognized drills, SOPs and safety standards for manual, dog and mechanical demining, Minefield Marking Teams (MMT), survey and EOD procedures, and  provide operational input for  the revision and updating of National Technical Standards and Guidelines (TSGs);
• Provide input to policy, doctrine and procedures, in accordance with IMAS and the NTSGs, for the execution of the annual operations work plan and contractor SOPs and ensure that they are properly implemented;
• Depending on the role this position will be assigned to within the project administration setup in a specific country/programme (i.e. office structure, DOAs, segregation of duties, etc.), the incumbent will have responsibilities determined by UNOPS rules and regulations embodied in its regulatory framework - Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions and other documents as periodically issued and updated by UNOPS. Reporting lines with regards to compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations are ultimately to UNOPS Director Peace and Security Centre through Portfolio Manager. In addition, division of responsibilities when it comes to administrative processes in support of the programme objectives will be as determined for each country office and confirmed in writing by UNOPS Director of Peace and Security Centre.
• Ensure that the demining organizations funded through the UN work according to contract specifications and or Memorandums of Agreement and maintain good relations with the contractors, NGOs and other UN agencies in the region;
• Any other duties or tasks as identified by the Programme Director or Programme Manager.

• Leadership – Proven supervisory ability and/or technical leadership. Ability to maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader.
• Teamwork Skills – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Organising and Quality Orientation – Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
• Decision Making – Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.
• Communication Skills – Strong spoken and written communication skills.
• Creativity and Innovation – Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to handle a range of management and coordination issues. 
• Ability to Learn – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments.
• Change Orientation - Understands the role of technology and business processes and constantly strives to better utilise these for achieving organisational / departmental goals.
• Lives and Breathes UNOPS Values – Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments.

Education:

                                
• Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required; 
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor's  or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree;
• Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at a Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) in combination with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience maybe accepted in lieu of advance university degree; 
• If an applicant lacks both university qualifications and military experience he/she must have at least 13 years of relevant professional experience with internationally recognized demining organizations.

Certification:

• Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) qualifications an advantage;
• Internationally recognized driving licence is required.

 Experience: 

• At least 7 years of experience in management of military or humanitarian Mine Action operations is required;
• Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at the Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) is desired;
• Proven and applicable experience in management of operations in humanitarian mine action desired;
• Experience with UN mine action programmes, policies, and coordination mechanisms is an asset;
• Thorough knowledge of the International Mine Action Standards and the Information Management System for Mine Action is an asset;
• Thorough knowledge of demining SOPs, technical and safety procedures is required;

Language:
  

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage

• This roster announcement will remain open for several weeks and we will review applications and conduct assessments continuously.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Based on organizational needs at the time of recruitment, applicants accepted into this UNOPS roster pool may be considered for job at the advertised job level or its equivalent.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the job.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 
• Based on organizational needs at the time of recruitment, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the job.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the job

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.