Regional Area Coordinator, Multiple positions

Peace and Security Cluster

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.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Regional Area Coordinator will be responsible for the oversight and management of mine action activities in their Area of Responsibility (AoR) primarily with support to MINUSMA (STM), but with additional coordination and explosive threat mitigation guidance required in collaboration with project staff for the Capacity Development (CD) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) projects when the need arises.

S/he will report to and be managed by the UNMAS Chief of Operations.

S/he is responsible for the provision and implementation of the following:

• Comprehensive general operational management of the Regional UNMAS office.
• Responsible for all aspects of explosive threat mitigation & mine action related activities carried out by staff under your supervision and control.
• Liaise with and provide guidance and general support to all Implementing partners as required to enable them to fulfil contractual obligations.
• Report any potential issues that will affect UNMAS operations to the CoOps/JOC in a timely manner.
• Represent UNMAS by participating in meetings and conduct regular visits as required or when requested with MINUSMA, National authorities, MDSF and any other relevant stakeholders/authorities in the AoR.
• Represent UNMAS at regional security management team meetings and be the focal point for all UNMAS safety and security matters.
• Provide input to policy, doctrine and procedures, in accordance with regulatory documents for the execution of the annual operations work plan, activities and reports for current and future operational activities.
• In consultation with the UNMAS Chief of Operations, provide advice and input into the development of strategic and procedural documents related to EOD/IEDD matters in support to MINUSMA.
• Oversee and ensure that IED/ERW incidents, weekly reports, work plans, and all other required reports are submitted in a timely manner as requested by management.
• In coordination with project teams, ensure that mine action organizations funded through the UN, work according to contract specifications and or Memorandums of Agreement and maintain good relations with the contractors, NGOs and other UN agencies in the region.
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation, execution and completion of all explosive threat mitigation related operations for projects in support to MINUSMA within the AoR; In particular operations conducted by the mission EOD assets.
• When requested, support the HMA project focusing on technical input across all activities (RE, NTS and Clearance).
• Responsible for raising all Task Orders (TO) for EOD, IEDD, QRF, Air QRF and recovery assets for mission support.
• Ensure contractor SOPs are technically compliant and correctly implemented.
• Provide timely response to the threat posed by Explosive Hazards (EH) to MINUSMA HQ.
• Responsible for reporting in a timely manner IED/ERW incidents, weekly reports, work plans, and all other required reports requested by management.
• In Coordination with the UNMAS JOC and QM/Training team, provide support to ensure that External/Internal Quality Assurance visits and assessments, as well as monitoring visits, are carried out on/by implementing partners within the required timeframes and frequencies set by the UNMAS Mali Quality Management System across all contracted activities i.e. HMA, EDD, EOD, IEDD, IED Threat Mitigation training, driver training and medical.
• When required, assist the UNMAS medical coordinator with medical emergencies i.e. Casevac/Medevac.
• Responsible for ensuring proper storage of explosives in accordance with national and international guidelines and ensure security and control of explosives that are used by implementing partners, mine action organisations and TCCs within the AoR.
• Participate in Boards of Inquiry initiated by the CoOps or Programme Manager on accidents and/or operational incidents playing an advisory role and providing relevant operational input/contribution to these boards when required.
• In coordination with UNMAS Asset Management, technical equipment officer/specialist & IP Mentor/trainers, ensure that all UNMAS equipment provided to TCCs/IPs in the region is kept in good condition, correctly used and stored, and is accounted for at the end of every month.  The RAC is also responsible for ensuring that equipment faults, including associated Loss & Damage reports are actively managed and followed through until resolved. 
• In coordination with the UNMAS Fleet manager, supervise and manage the tasking, operational deployment and maintenance schedules of UNMAS vehicles to minimise disruption to MINUSMA operations.
• Responsible for the daily management of the UNMAS regional office according to UN rules and regulations with regards to operations, HR, administration, financial and logistical policies.
• Responsible for the management and reporting of all staff under your direct supervision and control through PRA/PRE-evaluations.
• Ensure that the conditions and standards of UNMAS facilities, especially with regards to Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) are appropriate for all UNMAS staff members.
• Empower and engage team members within your AoR.
• Other tasks as directed by the programme Manager and Chief of Operations.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in business administration, project management, social science, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in business administration, project management, social science, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or
• Military experience with a minimum of 11 years’ experience in the field of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and/or Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) (Military and/or civilian)

Work Experience

• Relevant Experience is defined as experience in project coordination, project management or military experience in EOD/IEDD.
• 3 years of experience in operations management (military or humanitarian mine action) is required;
• 3 years of experience conducting explosives threat mitigation activities required;
• Experience in Capacity Building is required.
• Knowledge of International Mine Action Standards is required
• Experience with training foreign nationals in EOD/IEDD techniques desired.
• Experience with UN mine action programmes, policies, and coordination mechanisms is desired;
• Experience with the QA and QC process with regard to humanitarian mine action is desired;

Certifications

• Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Level 3 Qualified (Required)
• IEDD certified by internationally military or civilian accredited training (Desired)

Language

• Fluency in English (Reading, Writing and Speaking) required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.

Contract type: Staff Contract level: P3
Contract duration: 12 months

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