Operations and Training Officer

 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. 

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.

Colombia Programme

In Colombia, UNOPS implements an UNMAS project aiming to support the Colombian Directorate for Humanitarian Mine Action. The goal of this project is to enhance the managerial and operational coordination capacity and the efficiency  of the Colombian mine action sector in order to provide a more robust and holistic mine action response to affected communities and contribute to broader protection, security and peace-building objectives.

 The Operations and Training Officer will work specifically in close collaboration with the National Mine Action Authority, other government institutions involved in mine action, and with mine action organizations and stakeholders working in country to ensure the sector’s successful service delivery, as well as to increase the capacity of the mine action sector in general.

The specific tasks to be undertaken will include:

• Provide skills transfer and capacity building to the National Mine Action Authority and assist in the technical development of its planning and operational management capacity
• Provide skills transfer and capacity building to the National Mine Action Authority’s humanitarian demining unit to ensure an effective and efficient national coordination and oversight of demining operations in Colombia and to ensure existence and quality assurance of internal operational procedures in the sector
• Provide technical advice and assistance to improve the quality assurance/quality control framework
• Specifically by working with the external quality monitors, the national authority, and other key stakeholders, and designing and implementing technical courses/trainings to support effectiveness of the framework
• Stay abreast of international developments in the mine action sector, and in full cognizance of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Standards (NMAS) and Technical Guidelines, provide recommendations for the improvement and development of the NMAS and Technical Guidelines
• Provide technical support to mine action organizations preparing to undergo the accreditation process  and /or to increase their operational capacity
• Provide documented technical opinions, concept notes, and technical notes to the National Mine Action Authority and to other mine action stakeholders
• Draft/Write reports (both English and Spanish) on projects, field visits, and on meetings with civil and military authorities and civilian mine action organizations
• Undertake field visits of humanitarian demining activities, including but not limited to demining sites, in coordination with national authorities, the external monitoring body and mine action organizations
• Other tasks as directed by the Programme Manager

Monitoring and Progress control:

• The Operations and Training Officer will report directly to the Programme Manager of the Colombia Mine Action Programme, and shall work in close collaboration with the Programme Officer and the Mine Action Officer in country.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently

Teamwork - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in mine action is required
• Experience working with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is required
• Experience in conducting training in landmine and unexploded ordnance disposal techniques is required
• Proven and applicable experience in management of operations in humanitarian mine action desired
• A solid understanding of the Colombian mine action sector, counter mine measures/demining, or UXO clearance operations and related practices is desired
• An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) certification is desired
• UNMAS Operations and QA/QC training certification is desired
• Experience with the UN system and knowledge of UNOPS rules and procedures is a strong advantage
• Fluency in Spanish (speaking, reading and writing) is required
• Intermediate English  (speaking, reading and writing) is required 
• Knowledge of another UN official language is considered an asset.

• This is a local position, therefore only nationals of duty station or applicants who are legally entitled to be employed in the duty station will be considered
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

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.