Programme Director - Peace and Security Cluster (ICS-13)

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (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 Centre 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 Centre Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Centre 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).

• Responsible for developing and maintaining a mine action concept of operations and a mine action plan under  the  guidance of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG)  or the  Deputy Special Representative  of the Secretary-General  (DSRSG) and in cooperation with UN peacekeeping and political missions, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant partners. Director of the Mine Action Sector in /Programme Manager (DMAS/PM) will advise  DPKO, and other UN agencies and the local authorities  on all aspects  of a comprehensive  mine  action programme, including  coordination, institutional arrangements, information management, quality management, clearance, survey, marking, risk  reduction  education and resource mobilization. When required, in consultation with UNMAS he/she may advise and assist local authorities in establishing and/or supporting national mine action programmes.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining a database of landmine and ERW-related information, and a master map of mine-affected areas.   DMAS/PM actively seeks the information necessary to update and refine this database. He/she will act as the point of contact for, UN agencies, non­ governmental organizations and other organizations seeking information on the mine/ERW situation.
• Responsible for the management of all the UN mine action activities within approved budget sourced by peacekeeping assessed budget and voluntary donor contribution. The DMAS/PM, within the Delegation of Authority (DoA), will be responsible for budget management.
• Responsible for all personnel, equipment, administration and operations of the mine action programme. He/she will direct and supervise the work of all programme staff.
• Responsible for active resource mobilization of voluntary donor contribution in close cooperation with the Headquarters.
• Report  directly  to  UNMAS  and  DSRSG  in  consultation  with  SRSG,  DSRSG,  RC,  and  Force Commanders when necessary, for issues related to programme objectives, priorities and relations with Governments and local authorities. The DMAS/PM will provide mine action technical advice to all components of Peace Keeping and/or the UN Country Team for accomplishment of overall Mission mandates.
• Report directly to UNMAS for programme management at strategic and policy-making level (in consultation with UNOPS, Peace Keeping and/or Political missions (SRSG, DSRSG, RC and/or Force Commander) and the country team), such as institutional arrangements, coordination with UN and non­ UN partners, resource mobilization and general policy issues.
• Report directly to UNOPS (or the UNOPS-designated official) for issues related to programme/project management and implementation, including definition of operational priorities (in consultation with UNMAS, peace keeping and/or political missions) and the country team issues concerning recruitment and administration of international and local personnel, and, when applicable, contracting for firms/NGOs, procurement of equipment and financial management of programme.
• Report directly  to UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster through the portfolio manager on compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations (i.e. office structure, DOAs, ATLAS functions, segregation of duties, etc), embodied in its regulatory framework- Organizational Directives, for example Financial Rules and Regulations, Administrative Instructions and other documents, such as the Procurement Manual as periodically issued and updated by UNOPS. 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 Cluster.
• Provide mine action technical advice to Peace Keeping and/or Political missions (SRSG, DSRSG, RC and/or Force Commander) and the country team, and will work closely with the Peace Keeping and/or
• Political missions and the country team, SRSG, DSRSG and/or RC in determining priority tasks for mine action in the country.
• Provide required reports to Peace Keeping and/or Political missions (SRSG, DSRSG, RC and/or Force Commander) and the country team, UNMAS and UNOPS on regular basis.
• Carry out any other tasks directed by the Peace Keeping and/or Political missions (SRSG, DSRSG, RC and/or Force Commander) and the country team, UNMAS and UNOPS.
• This position may also entail safety and security responsibilities within the region of operation to include the protection of all UNOPS personnel, assets, property and information belonging to UNOPS and/or UN.

• 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.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; or a First Level University Degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 17 years of relevant experience (equivalent Military Staff College qualification also accepted); or Military Experience at the Officer level with a minimum of 21 years of relevant experience;
• At least 15 years work experience in management (including programme management, operations, planning, administration, financial management and implementation);
• A minimum of 5 years experience in mine action or humanitarian programmes, in one or more countries, at strategic and management level;
• A proven record in management and administration as well as in public relations at a senior level;
• Knowledge of mine action and the international mine action standards is highly desirable;

• Fluency in spoken and written English;

  or fluency in spoken and written French and intermediate fluency in English;

  or  fluency in spoken and written Spanish and intermediate fluency in English;

  or fluency in spoken and written Arabic and intermediate fluency in English

• Demonstrated ability to live in hardship condition.