Counter IED Specialist - 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).

The duties and responsibilities of the Counter IED Specialist (ICS-10) are similar to that of the Counter IED Advisor (ICS-11), with the difference in grades being determined by the complexity and level of responsibility of the specific position.

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 Portfolio Manager. In addition, division of responsibilities regarding 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.

In line with applicable UN policies and Security Council Mandates, the Counter– Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Specialist is responsible for the establishment and development of prevention and mitigation procedures for managing the IED threat to UN personnel, property and programmes.  They will act as the local focal point between UNMAS and other key stakeholders under the guidance and direction of the Programme Manager. The incumbent will report directly to the Programme Manager, and be responsible for the following functions:

• Liaison between UNMAS HQ, specific programmes and key stakeholders in country;
• The establishment, including developing operational standard operational procedures(SOPs), for prevention and mitigation measures;
• Development and implementation of local technical solutions, identifying shortfalls, and time frames for prevention and mitigation measures;
• Establishment of a detailed C-IED information database and development of tasking procedures based on existing online systems;
• Liaison with appropriate in-country law enforcement agencies to facilitate information sharing;
• Represent UNMAS in C-IED matters at the field level;
• Continually assessing the operational situation for areas of improvement in efficiency,effectiveness and safety within the local C-IED threat;
• Assessment and the recommendation of new training requirements in prevention and mitigation measures through the introduction of new technology, equipment,materials, and processes;
• Assist in the capacity development of national security authorities for the protection of civilians against IED threats;
• Document plans and processes;
• Identify continuous improvements and lessons learned;
• Identify risks and plan risk mitigation strategies and report on the progress of deployment activities in writing and orally to UNMAS HQ NY;
• Implement any other tasks requested by the Programme Manager and Chief of Operations.

• 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 both people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and as part of a small, flexible and highly adaptive Team.
• Organising and Quality Orientation –Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, prioritise competing demands and work successfully in high stress environments.
• Decision Making – Demonstrated superior ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.
• Communication Skill – Strong spoken and written communication skills.
• Creativity and Innovation – Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to manage simultaneous management and coordination issues.
• Ability to Learn – Willingness to learn and embrace 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 Non-Commissioned Officer or Officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience;
• At least 5 years experience in the field of explosive hazard management including 3 years experience in C-IED operations (to include proven C-IED experience);
• IEDD certified through internationally military or civilian accredited training;
• Demonstrated experience in training, capacity building and Quality Management;
• Experience with training foreign nationals in EOD/IEDD techniques;
• Recent experience (within the last 36 months) experience in the management of an internationally recognized C-IED database and relevant C-IED operational field experience within a military or civilian governmental programme;
• Excellent computer literacy is essential, knowledge of IMSMA an asset;
• Team management experience and skills required;
• Knowledge of the UN system and UNOPS procedures an asset;

• 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

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) / Temporary Appointment(TA) / International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA) Contract level: ICS-10: P3 FTA  / P3 TA  / I-ICA 2 Contract duration: Length of contract will depend on contract modality and funding availability. For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
http://www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/contract-types/Pages/United-Nations-staff-contracts.aspx
 
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow thislink:
http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx