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Chief Technical Advisor for Mine Action

Hanoi

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Hanoi
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Mine Action and Weapon Contamination
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
    • Democratic GovernanceManagementCapacity Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

As a result of many years of war, the land and people of Vietnam are severely affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance (hereinafter called Explosive Remnants of War or ERW). According to the results of the project named "Vietnam National Explosive Remnants of War Contamination Surveying and Mapping" from 2010-2014, all 63/63 provinces/cities across the country are contaminated with landmines, unexploded ordnance left after the war, with a total of 9,116 out of 11,134 communes (wards or townships) contaminated. According to the Government of Vietnam, the total area of contamination is 6.13 million ha, accounting for 18.82% of the country's area. More than 60,000 people have either been killed or injured by ERW since the end of the war.

In recent years, the Vietnamese Government has paid special attention to perfecting management and coordination system, funding and providing guidelines for the effective implementation of mine action operations. Substantial amounts of funds are spent each year on ERW clearance in order to release and recover land for cultivation, ensure safe livelihood activities, as well as provision of emergency treatment to ERW victims and support to their reintegration into communities and educating these communities about the risk to further reduce accidents and prevent casualties.

In this regard, Quang Binh and Binh Dinh, provinces are considered a priority given the anticipated high-level of contamination and number of victims and limited amount of similar interventions in the past. Large amounts of bombs and other types of munitions were dropped on Binh Dinh and Quang Binh provinces during the war. The two provinces also witnessed fierce engagement of the ground forces of the two sides and massive bombing by the US Air force. According to statistics, from 7th Feb 1965 to 30th April 1968, Quang Binh Province suffered from 37,258 bombing missions with about 29 types of general purpose bombs, 13 types of cluster bombs in addition to tens of types of small arms, artillery shells, rockets. Some small communes, such as Quang Thuan of Quang Trach District, with an area of about only 2 square kilometres, suffered from about 1,500 bombing missions with over 5,000 bombs of different types. According to statistics of the National ERW Survey, the area of ERW contamination in Quang Binh is 224.934 ha (accounting for 27,93% land of the province) Binh Dinh is 246.843 (accounting for 40% land of the province). On average, dozens of ERW related accidents happen each year across the two provinces. The majority of victims are the main laborers and children. The statistics shows that Quang Binh has had nearly 6,000 people killed and injured by ERW. As for Binh Dinh Province, about 3,000 people have been killed and injured by ERW.

ERW presence has a negative impact on all aspects of the social life. It slows down progress and increases the cost of construction of technical infrastructure; hinders people from cultivating on the land due to the fear for being harmed by ERW. As a result, in some areas, the land has become more and more deteriorated while containing in itself the potential risks to the safety of the people. It remains a burden to the people's psychology, economy and society in the contaminated areas.

The removal of ERW remains the most effective solution as it detects, remove and destroy the roots of the impacts caused by ERW in the local provinces. Through the Vietnam Mine Action project and in partnership with KOICA, UNDP will strengthen the capacity of the Vietnam Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) and other responsible parties to remove ERW in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh, provinces.

In this context, the Chief Technical Advisor to the Vietnam Mine Action project is required to provide technical guidance and assistance to the VNMAC and other responsible partners. This will be done in conjunction with UNDP’s other technical advisors who support the VNMAC and other responsible partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The day to day work of the Chief Technical Advisor to the Vietnam mine action project (CTA) will be guided by the Deputy Country Director to ensure effective implementation of the projects, in consultation with the relevant national responsible partners such as the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Vietnam Mine Action Center (VNMAC). This work will be done in close collaboration with KOICA. The core activities identified below are drawn from the project document of the Vietnam mine action project.

The CTA’s performance assessment will be managed by the Deputy Country Director with inputs from ACD and CD.

The CTA will provide high level advice and guidance and support development of the capacity of VNMAC and other responsible parties in the following areas:

  • Responsible for technical strategy and advice on all project components (with a focus on overall governance of mine action and survey and clearance);
  • Quality management oversight;
  • Support to effective monitoring and evaluation
  • Support to VNMAC and other responsible parties
  • Support to sector-level coordination;
  • Regulation and National Standards

This work will be undertaken with a strong emphasis on developing the overall capacity of the VNMAC and other responsible partners to implement the Vietnam Mine Action project, contributing to the 2010 – 2025 National Mine Action Program for overcoming the consequences of Explosive Remnants of War (Programme 504).

1.     Technical strategy and advice on all project components

  • Advise on the overall implementation and monitoring of the Vietnam Mine Action project
  • With the collaboration with UNDP and KOICA, the CTA will assume responsibility for the coordination of the work of all international advisors deployed within the VNMAC and Vietnam Mine Action  Project, to ensure that their inputs are in harmony with the policy and aims of overall programme and UNDP project

2.     Quality Management oversight

  • Support the VNMAC and VN Mine Action project to effectively utilise quality management capacities available to them.

       3.     Support to effective monitoring and evaluation

  • Undertake periodic monitoring of the Vietnam Mine Action project based on the approved project document national strategy and AWP. Monitor the project activities from gender and social inclusion perspective and provide timely feedback to all staff and partner organisations.

4.     Support to VNMAC and Vietnam Mine Action project

  • Provide management advice and support the work of the JPMU in the further development of technical and administrative expertise and excellence in the organisation’s operations; Provide overall management and administrative guidance to ensure all the funds and resources for Vietnam Mine Action project through UNDP are utilised in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations and provide necessary guidance and support to the VN Mine Action project management and national staff.
  • Provide management advice to the JPMU and act as liaison with other International UXO/Mine Action bodies, UN Agencies and International NGO’s and agencies when required.
  • Advise on the consolidation and further development of the VNMAC and VN Mine Action project; development of the institutional capacities, regulations and rules and procedures for the UXO sector; clarification of role and responsibilities, etc.
  • Provide technical guidance and capacity development support to senior management on the preparation of strategic plan, results-based management work plans, budgets, monitoring, proposals, task allocations progress reports publications and procedures
  • Provide advice on personnel management and recruitment issues, as well as on all other matters relating to the operations of the VNMAC and VN Mine Action project.

5.     Support to sector-level coordination

  • Advise on the overall coordination and direction of the UXO sector
  • Support the development of the VNMAC (office and board)’s capacity to exercise its mandate, in particular the secretariat function to the National Steering Committee for Overcoming the consequences of Chemical and Explosive Remnants of War and in working coordination with the Mine Action Partnership Group (MAPG), the implementation of monitoring mechanisms; data collection and analysis; task prioritisation procedures, etc.

6.     Regulation and National Standards

  • The CTA will be responsible to ensure that the policies and procedures developed in the context of the programme are consistent with International Standards for Mine Action (IMAS), National Standards of Vietnam and with all other relevant policy statements of the United Nations.
  • The development and maintenance of Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) in accordance with Vietnam’s UXO Standards and legislation. 

Impact of Results

The results will have an impact on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the UXO sector in Vietnam. VNMAC and Program 504 will be strengthened as national institutions and impacts of UXO in Vietnam will be reduced through efficient and effective UXO coordination and clearance operations, community awareness activities and assistance to victims/survivors. The UXO sector will be effectively structured and the VNMAC will be able to take on full responsibilities as a coordination body. The efficiency and effectiveness of the UXO/mine action in Vietnam will be increased, as all UXO/mine action operators will be monitored, evaluated and coordinated by the VNMAC in accordance with the Programme 504. UXO issues will be further mainstreamed into development planning, programming and budgeting so that UXO action is addressed as an integral part of development programmes and will support the development and integration of resilience building and poverty eradication into the broader agenda of the government of Vietnam. In addition, the UXO sector will be better placed to strengthen linkages to national and international research institutions, relevant civil society organisations and development organs in order to ensure a clear linkage with poverty reduction and national development goals including livelihood enhancement.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  •  Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  •  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
  •  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  •  Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

  • Work to achieve the strategic goals of UNDP and promotes the vision, mission and values of UNDP
  • Focus on results and client satisfaction
  • Recognise and respond appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others; contribute creative solutions to address challenging situations
  • Seek, apply and share knowledge and information
  • Demonstrate strong analytical and communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal) skills
  • Demonstrate strong inter-personal and negotiation skills
  • Demonstrate strong ability to work in harmony with staff members of different cultural backgrounds in a professional manner, especially in a mutually-supportive team environment
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
  • Demonstrate strong analytical and communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal) skills.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or related field. 
  • At least 7 years of field-based and/or headquarters experience with progressive responsibilities
  • Demonstrate management, capacity building and development expertise
  • Extended knowledge of UXO/mine action issues, with particular emphasis on policy, regulatory and treaty issues and a commitment to a community-oriented approach to UXO/mine action
  • Experience working in UXO/mine action programmes or countries
  • Extensive experience in programme/project management in developing countries - preferably in Southeast Asia
  • Experience working with the application of IMAS national standards and SOP including capacity building of national staff in such procedures.
  • Knowledge of UNDP and UN system policies, programming and operational issues, as well as UN/UNDP experience is desirable.
  • Excellent command of English is required.  Willingness and ability to learn Vietnamese language in absence of Vietnamese language capacity is required.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

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This vacancy is now closed.
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