Mine Risk Education (MRE) Specialist

Peace and Security Centre

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered nearly two decades of turmoil, particularly in the eastern provinces. The use of landmines was a feature during the conflict and Explosive Remnants of War from the fighting remain a hazard.

UNMAS established its presence in the DRC in 2002 to provide support to the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUSCO) and to conduct humanitarian mine action. It continues to work with all actors involved in mine action and has increased the role of weapon and ammunition management support to national authorities and security institutions. The ongoing armed conflict in eastern DRC is attributed to the numerous illegal armed groups (AG) operating in region. These AG are resourced by various state and non-state actors, however, UNMAS primary concern is stemming the flow of weapons and ammunition diverted from state held stockpiles.  To this end, UNMAS has developed a close working relationship with the National Commission for Small Arms control to support the weapon and ammunition management of state owned assets. The support provided to date has included the development and publication of a National Action Plan, the provision of secure safe weapon and ammunition storage solutions, assessment of PSSM infrastructure, WAM training courses and the registration and marking of state owned weapons.

The Mine Risk Education (MRE) Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager or the Chief of Operations. The duties and responsibilities are as follows:

• Provide guidance to Mine Risk Education (MRE) section staff;
• Ensure staff duties and administrative actions are implemented according to policy;
• Ensure all staff activities including those projects that involve multiple sectors are coordinated at central and regional management levels;
• Provide technical and planning support to Mine Action implementing agencies with regards to project implementation including training, materials development, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance activities;
• Provide the necessary supports and inputs for government planning, technical advice, follow up and oversight of activities;
• Develop new initiatives relevant to MRE;
• Evaluation of MRE tools;
• Provide guidance and capacity development opportunities to national mine action staff, implementing partners, and government actors with regards to the technical, monitoring including implementation of National Technical Standard and Guidelines (NTSGs) and reporting skills needed for proper oversight of mine risk education activities;
• Develop annual work plan for MRE activities;
• Develop budgetary forecasts and resource allocation plans including staff and training needs for programme implementation based on annual work plan;
• Participate in transition planning process on MRE;
• Provide relevant inputs for donors’ reports;
• Ensure regular MRE reporting from regional offices for MACC, UNOPS and UNMAS as required;
• Provide guidance and oversight of the contracting procedures to ensure timely submissions and feedback to implementing partners regarding scope of work and budgets;
• Ensures implementing partners provide financial reports and reconciliation of fund utilization on time and in an appropriate format acceptable to donors;
• Ensure implementing partners are tasked and deployed according to annual plan;
• Monitor and evaluate all implementing partners activities;
• Coordinate with implementing partners and government to develop an integrated community plan for MRE;
• Enhance information exchange methodology to ensure impacted communities are provided with up to date information on MRE activities in their area; 
• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the Programme Manager and/or the Chief of Operations.

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Education, social work or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A First level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Education, social work or related field with seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in community-based education, public information communications, training management and capacity building;
• Within the required relevant experience, at least 5 years in programme operations, management or development is required;
• Experience in gender and successful donor relations and fundraising is desired;
• Experience working with UN system or UNOPS procedures is desired.

• Fluency in French (written, spoken and reading) is required;
• Intermediate knowledge level in English (written, spoken and reading) is required;
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

• 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.
• 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 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.
Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner 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 we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.