Operations / Quality Assurance Officer - Peace and Security Cluster (ICS-10)

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office 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).

• Comprehensive general operational management of the area office;
• Coordinate, facilitate and prioritize all operational tasking for MA within the area office;
• Responsible for all aspects of mine action related activities carried out by staff under your supervision and control;
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation, execution and completion of all mine action related operations within the area office;
• Oversee the supervision of contracts with all mine action partners to ensure contractual conformity;
• The maintenance, revision and updating of the Standard Working Procedures;
• Ensure close and effective interaction and coordination of the integral aspects of mine action, such as QA, Mine Victim Support and Mine Risk Education.
• When requested, act as the Investigating Officer for Detailed Independent Investigations or Boards of Inquiry for Mine/UXO Accidents or incidents;
• Debriefing the demining organizations on QA achievements and QA assessments and ensure that all QA assessment data is captured on IMSMA;
• Provide guidance on any specific corrective actions to be taken by demining organizations, following an inspection, which finds a critical non-conformity;
• Ensure proper maintenance of documentation for all inspected land;
• Responsible for control and security of explosives to be used by implementing partners;
• The implementation of a QA management system and ensure that the system is being applied in a fair and equitable manner, and that accreditation, licensing and monitoring does not interrupt or delay demining projects;
• Conduct routine on-site QA of Mine Action Organization operations (for monitoring and post clearance inspections) and as part of the Accreditation process;
• Understand the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS); ensure that Mine Action Organization
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are in compliance with the IMAS and are conducting safe and effective Mine Action Operations;
• Depending on the role which this position will be assigned to within the project administration setup in a specific country/programme (i.e. office structure, DOAs, ATLAS functions, 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 Cluster through the respective 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 Cluster ;
• Other tasks as directed by the Programme Manager and Chief of Operations.

• 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.
• Lives and Breathes UNOPS Values – Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or a First Level University Degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at the Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience; or if an applicant lacks both university qualifications and military experience he/she must have at least 11 years of experience with internationally recognized demining organizations.
• At least 5 years of experience in operations management (military or humanitarian mine action);
• Proven and applicable experience in management of operations in humanitarian mine action desired;
• Proven experience with QA and QC process with regard to humanitarian mine action;
• Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) qualifications an advantage;
• A clear understanding of the interactions between the pillars and implementing partners involved in a humanitarian mine action programme;
• Professional knowledge of demining and explosives ordnance equipment;
• A solid understanding of counter mine measures/demining, or UXO clearance operations and related practices;
• Knowledge of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is essential;
• Knowledge of the UN system and UNOPS procedures is an asset;
• Computer literacy, in particular experience of using MS Office and IMSMA;
• Internationally recognized driving licence.

• 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