Strategic Capacity Development Advisor

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). 

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Mine Action Programme in Western Sahara is executed by UNOPS.

The Programme comprises of the following main components:

• Mine Action support to  MINURSO, Western Sahara
• UNMAS Western Sahara Mine Action provides a humanitarian response to the Mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) threat throughout the east of the berm in Western Sahara, and
• Supports the ongoing Capacity Development of the Saharawi Mine Action Coordination Office SMACO) east of the berm.

Sixteen years of fighting between Morocco and the Frente Popular para a Liberacion de Saguia el-Hamra y de Rio de Oro (Frente POLISARIO) resulted in landmine and ERW contamination to both sides of the 1,645 km long berm which divides the territory of Western Sahara.  In order to determine the extent of the landmine/ERW threats in Western Sahara – east of the berm, UNMAS, conducted a survey of the region from 2006 – 2008.  At the time of the survey, a total of 158 cluster strike areas, 37 minefields, one ammunitions dump and hundreds of ERW were identified. The continued presence of landmines/ERW constitutes a high threat for more than 10,000 Saharan nomads and their families, as well as UN

The Saharawi Mine Action Coordination Office (SMACO), a mine action entity within the Frente POLISARIO, was established in September 2013.  It is currently staffed by a Coordinator, Operations/Quality Assurance Officer, IMSMA Officer and an Admin/Finance Officer.  UNMAS seeks a contractor to add to the initial assessment and further strengthen the policy, technical and operational capacities of the SMACO for an initial period of 100day.  

The MACC office is part  of the  office of the SRSG   within the headquarter of MINIURSO however the MACC is functionally located in Tindouf, Algeria within the mission AOR, with the majority of the humanitarian clearance being  conducted east of the berm. The incumbent would be located in the MINURSO Liaison Office in Tindouf, Algeria and travel the SMACO office location on a daily basis in Rabouni, and he/she is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Under the line management of the UNMAS PM, the Capacity Development Technical Advisor will undertake activities based on the strategic direction of the UNMAS Programme Manager.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

In coordination with senior management of the relevant stakeholders and agencies in Western Sahara, the Capacity Development  Advisor shall conduct a follow up assessment of the  initial strategic assessment of the SMACO conducted earlier in 2017,  with a view to further  strengthen and expand existing mine action coordination capacity of the local authorities. The Capacity Development  Advisor shall meet with the, international and local partners  comprised of Mine Action organizations  which may include UN Agencies and International/National NGOs.

The Capacity Development  Advisor will perform the following key functions:

Anticipated Tasks are:

• Review the current development plan and advise options for improvement;
• Review and update t policies, legislative  requirements,  local documentation,  to identify areas and scope of intervention;
• Update the   capacity development  plan and multi-year workplan in partnership with UNMAS and the SMACO;
• Develop a SMACO communication strategy.

Expected Outcomes

•  Monitoring  the current strategic capacity enhancement development plan and multi-year operational plan advise on its implementation and both update activities and amend as required on the;

• SMACO draft ,  internal Operational Procedures, training needs are clearly identified in various aspects of mine action  programme management, and , advocacy;

• Update to the  implemention  plan for transition, in order to progressively and systematically transfer the management of mine action to full local  ownership;

• Ensure information gathered from monitoring and evaluations is used to inform stakeholders of progress and to improve the programme;

• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the Programme Manager.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in development studies, business management, project management, or any field related with seven (7) years of relevant experience; OR
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) with nine (9) years of relevant experience.

• 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.

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.