Senior Programme Officer

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.

Mali is facing a problem of weapons and explosive hazard contamination, as a result of protracted and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to United Nations and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.

UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats. In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council resolution 2354 (2017). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS PSC to implement a mine action programme in Mali to:

• Improve the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance;
• Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations;
• Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel.

Under the direct supervision of UNMAS Programme Manager, the Senior Programme Officer will support the implementation and management of mine action activities in Mali. He/She is responsible for the oversight of funding cycle for all mine action related projects, regardless whether they are supported through UN or bilateral funding channels. For the UN funded mine-action activities, this includes oversight of the financial side of proposal formulation, implementation (including contracts management) and reporting. The Senior Programme Officer has the responsibility to ensure the appropriate tasking of assets in accordance with multiple UN and Non-UN contract and funding agreement modalities, within a complex, highly demanding and constantly changing operational environment. The Senior Programme Officer is responsible for the following and responsibilities:

• Manage the programme systems and procedures to enable accountable control of all Mine Action projects/contracts funded by numerous modalities for the Peace and Security Programme;
• Manage the overall programme budget that may consist several funding sources and financial agreements;
• Costing of the annual work plan portfolio and/or specific formulation;
• Preparation of the VTF Annualized Budget submission for Implementing Partners activities;
• Preparation of the RBB submission for peacekeeping missions;
• Liaise with implementing partners for VTF versus activities tracking purpose, ensuring that donor contributions match appropriately activities on the ground; identify/communicate gaps/shortfalls for additional resource mobilization;
• Liaise with senior management and budget section of peacekeeping missions regarding the implementation of assessed budgets;
• Monitor the funding and financial information of the programme (UN and bilateral);
• Oversee the preparation of the financial reports to the local Government and UN with regard to the implementation of the mine action programme;
• Oversee the appraisal and review of sub-project proposals and subcontract documents to ensure accuracy and consistency and conformity with programme criteria and procedures and the appropriate regulations and rules;
• Oversee that implementing partners reports are in compliance with the contractual and financial requirements;
• Ensure high professional standards of project design, proposal writing, monitoring and reporting;
• Oversee the preparation of project reports and briefs, in particular financial aspects including, Monthly and Annual Reports, Semi-Annual Progress Reports, Project Proposals and Monthly Summary of the Programme Financial Status;
• Develop strategies for public information campaigns on mines and ERW and UN Mine Action activities, ensuring these strategies are transferred into action plans and continue to support the Programme’s overall strategies;
• Depending on the role this position will be assigned to within the project administration set up in a specific country/programme (i.e. office structure, DOAs, 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 Process Quality Management System. Reporting lines with regards to compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations are ultimately to UNOPS Head of Peace and Security Cluster through 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 Head of Peace and Security Cluster;
• Train project national and international staff concerning media relations;
• Responsible for capacity building of national staff within the programme Section;
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings;
• Act as OIC when the Programme Manager is away;
• Other tasks as requested by the Programme Manager.

• Advanced University Degree(Masters Degree or equivalent) in business administration, project management, Social Sciences or related field with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• First-level University degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) in business administration, project management, Social Sciences or a related field with 9 years of relevant experience.

• Relevant years of experience is defined as experience in programme management, project management and/or business administration
• Within relevant experience, a minimum of 2 years of experience working in complex humanitarian and/or development programmes, in one or more countries at the operational level is required
• Good knowledge of the roles and activities of the United Nations within a complex humanitarian emergency or developmental environments is desirable
• Knowledge of Mine Action is desirable
• Previous experience in Peacekeeping Operations is desirable
• Experience in producing reports and papers on substantive issues is desirable.

• Fluency (write, speak and read) in both French and English required. 

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.