Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) Operations/Quality Assurance (Ops/QA) 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.

The EDD Ops/QA Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, Deputy Programme Manager (Operations), or any other supervisor designated by the UNMAS South Sudan Programme Manager. The duties and responsibilities of the position are as follows:

• Review initial technical requirements for EDD services and provide input in scoping of the requirement; assess soundness of the technical requirement, viability of EDD operations in a particular area and make appropriate recommendation to improve quality of the requirements;
• Participate as Accreditation Board member during Pre-deployment Assessments (PDA), Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), Organizational and Operational accreditation processes if appropriate;
• Work closely with procurement and contract management teams to ensure EDD contractors comply with their contractual obligations;
• As part of the EDD contract management and monitoring, lead and conduct regular accreditation/inspections of EDD teams and produce comprehensive written reports including assessment forms and recommendations, in line with UNOPS Global EDD Quality Standards (QS);
• Implement an EDD Quality Management System (QMS), in line with UNOPS Global EDD QS, including the conduct of Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) assessments and report outcomes according to National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSG)/National Standards (NS) (if applicable);
• Responsible for review of maintenance training and submitted Training Records (TR) of contracted EDD Teams and for debriefing EDD contractors on QA achievements;
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation and execution of all EDD related operations as directed by the designated primary supervisor;
• Maintain familiarity with applicable International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSG), UNOPS EDD QS and best practices in EDD operations;
• Lead the maintenance, revision and updating of the Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for EDD teams and the NS as required and directed by the designated supervisor(s);
• Provide leadership in liaising with relevant stakeholders including the contractor(s), relevant Mission authorities, and members of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) to ensure complete integration of EDD efforts with the overall security plan of UNDSS and the UN Mission;
• Visit field locations to develop the concept of integration of EDD assets with operations specific to each location under the direction of the Project Manager;
• Develop and conduct EDD QA courses for field personnel and relevant contractors;
• Deliver presentations and training packages with an aim to increase awareness about EDD services and raise the level of contract management procedures;
• Identify areas for continuous improvements and lessons learned;
• Perform other related duties in support of UNMAS programme objectives as directed by the primary supervisor.

• Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in business administration, project management, social sciences or related field, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, OR
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in business administration, project management, social sciences or related field, with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience, OR

• Military and / or police experience with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience.

• Relevant experience is defined as experience serving in national military and / or police organizations
• Within relevant experience, a minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a trainer / instructor and assessor of Product Scent Detection Dogs in a recognized national / international organization is required
• Experience with both UNOPS EDD Quality Standards (QS) and procedures for all EDD Team (EDDT) accreditation assessments
• Internationally recognized certification or training as a Product Scent Dog evaluator is required
• Experience in providing technical advice on the best use of scent detection assets is desired
• Experience working in a hardship duty station is desired
• Experience in contract management is desired
• Computer literacy is required

• Fluency in English is required (reading, writing, and speaking)
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable

Work-life harmonization 

We value our people and recognize the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. UNOPS has a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offers flexible working options. This applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types across the globe.

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• 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.