Mine Action Operations Coordinator

Aden

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Aden
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Democratic Governance
- Mine Action and Weapon Contamination
- Governance and Peacebuilding
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Consistent with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) strategy for assistance to the mine action sector in Yemen, one of the primary goals of the UN is to ensure the most efficient and effective response to the impact of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other explosive remnants of war (ERW, including cluster- munitions). According to the UN Policy on Mine Action and Effective Coordination, the primary responsibility for addressing the threats faced by the population from contamination remains with the affected state. To promote national ownership, responsibility, leadership and effective coordination, the UNDP is mandated by the General Assembly to assist the national authorities in their efforts to review and strengthen existing coordination mechanisms and further develop a national mine action programme.

Yemen has suffered numerous conflicts since the Second World War, each conflict leaving its own ERW legacy. The current conflict since 2015 in Yemen has become a forgotten war along with the forgotten crises in its wake. Current belligerents are the Government and the Revolutionary Council and in the voids of governance while the fighting continues, numerous insurgents have increased their footprint. The population are caught in the middle and the human suffering across the country is staggering with widespread hunger, lack of medical support, spread of disease and a general collapse of the economy.

As a result, UNDP has developed the multi-faceted Yemen Resilience Programme of which national support to the mine action sector is one pillar. The major counter-parts for UNDP are the NMAC (National Mine Action Centre) and YEMAC (Yemeni Executive Mine Action Centre). The former is responsible for policy and direction and the latter for the implementation and co-ordination of mine action activities in country.

To address the emergency needs in the country, develop emergency responses and meet long-term goals for Yemen, the UNDP mine action project is scaling-up capacity to meet the needs and is now recruiting an Operations Coordinator to be based in Aden. Under guidance from the CTA, the incumbent will work closely with the project team, counterparts and UN Agencies to establish and develop a Yemen Mine Action Coordination Center (YMACC). YMACC will be responsible for the co-ordination and control of HMA in Yemen. This will include, but not limited to, the five pillars of land release from explosive contamination, risk awareness for the population in impacted communities, victim assistance, stockpile destruction of redundant ammunition and advocacy towards implementation of the APMBC.

The post will be based in Aden, Yemen, with travels in country as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the work of the Mine Action coordination center, focusing on the following results:

Lead the development and maintaining a mine action concept of operations and a mine action plan in cooperation with UN agencies, government authorities and other relevant parties that will address all components of an integrated programme, and reflect the priorities and also the work planned;
Plan and implement survey and clearance tasks including the control, deployment, tasking, supervision and monitoring of mine action resources, whether operations are directly implemented or through third parties such as international contractors or NGOs;
Coordinate and monitor mine action operations, including quality assurance monitoring and standards;
Establish a Quality Management Plan, including determining quality assurance priorities (QA), allocate QA resources and coordinate QA assets for demining project and ensure quality control is conducted according to IMAS as a minimum;
Provide technical input such as definition of Statements of Work, to contract development and ensure contractors fulfill operational obligations and contractual targets;
Carry out boards of inquiry (BOIs), as directed by the Programme Manager, of accidents/incidents and appoint Board of Inquiry (BOI) as required. Provide comments and recommendations to the Director on BOI findings for further action;
Together with the Senior Management of stake holders, develop systems that will allow for the exchange of information and experience and coordinated planning and management of mine action activities;
Provide advice to the CTA and other parties on operational strategies, aims, goals and objectives for the programme.

2. Manage and guide the operations department of YMACC focusing on the following results:

Establish, Supervise and guide the Operations Department of the YMACC, including the future planning, current operations and quality assurance functions and oversee the operational activities in the region;
In consultation with mine action operators ensure the mine action plans are completed;
Present the regional operations cell in the strategic planning process of the Emergency Mine Action Program and develop annual operational work plans for the region to support the mine action strategy of UNDP;
Provide input to policy, doctrine and procedures, in accordance with the International Standards for Mine Action, for the execution of the annual operations work plan;
Supervise the execution of the full spectrum of the operations function and develop control and coordination mechanisms and procedures to ensure that all operational activities are conducted in accordance with IMAS;
Plan and coordinate the mine action operational capacities in the area of responsibility, utilizing all available assets cost effectively, as required to support the strategy;
Ensure that the demining organisations work according to contract specifications and or Memorandums of Agreement and maintain good relations with the contractors, NGO’s and other UN agencies in the region;
Assist in the development and implementation of a process to deal with all incidents/accidents in accordance with IMAS;
Coordinate the planning and execution of support to the mine action operations in the region;
Compile and provide all reports, returns and statistics to UNDP regarding the operations in the region;
Act as the advisor to the CTA on all operational matters;
Assist in the development of a policy for the control and handling of explosives in the mine action program and supervise the execution of the policy in the region.

3. Work on mapping UXO contamination and assessing the impact using primary and secondary resources

Collect, analyse and disseminate all recent and available mine/UXO information and collate it into reports or appropriate reporting formats
Coordinate, facilitate and prioritise all data collection activities for MA within the area office;
Debriefing the partner organisations on QA achievements and QA assessments and work closely with partners to ensure that all QA assessment data is captured. This role maybe delegated once QA staff are engaged;
Ensure proper maintenance of documentation in the field operation planning processes and monitor for conformity throughout the various project cycles;
Assist the CTA with collating data on accidents and/or operational incidents playing an advisory role and providing relevant operational input/contribution.

4. Provide experts advice to the CTA and counterparts on mines and UXO clearance in identified priority areas

Assist the CTA in developing the annual project prioritisation and tasking plan in coordination with national authorities and other UN agencies;
In close cooperation with the CTA and counterparts, identify operational priorities and advise on cost effective mine action operations in the area in accordance with established criteria;
Provide input to policy, doctrine and procedures, in accordance with IMAS and the NTSGs, for the execution of the annual operations work plan and ensure that they are properly implemented;
Ensure that the organisations funded through UNDP work according to contract specifications and or Letter of Agreement and maintain good relations with the contractors, NGOs and other UN agencies in the area of responsibility;
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;
Contribute to development of plans, reports and related documents to facilitate implementation of programme activities;
Identify weaknesses in partner organisations and through negotiated agreement, design and implement training to rectify.

5. Work with counterparts on Mine Risk Education activities within the area of responsibility

Provide guidance to Risk Awareness (RA) staff;
Ensure that activities, including those that involve multiple sectors, are coordinated;
Provide the necessary supports and inputs for government planning, technical advice, follow up and oversight of activities;
Develop new initiatives relevant to RA;
Work with stake holders on evaluation of RA tools;
Provide guidance and capacity development opportunities to mine action staff, implementing partners, and government actors with mine risk education activities;
Work closely with CTA and counterparts on the development of an annual work plan for RA activities;
Develop budgetary forecasts and resource allocation plans including staff and training needs for programme implementation based on annual work plan;
Provide relevant inputs for donors’ reports.

6. Facilitate and ensure knowledge building and sharing on mine action matters

Coordinate trainings on specific issues in accordance with annual work plan;
Synthesise lessons learnt and best practices in mine action.

7. Other duties

Manage the Project documentation process at the duty station;
Record and file Project related documents if needed;
Provide advice to UNDP Operations team on the contracting of external vendors for good and services related to mine action as per Project needs;
Manage externally procured goods and services when needed;
Support UNDP Project and Operations team in negotiations with companies to get the best offers for required quality;
Provide regular input to the Project reports;
Provide advice and training to implementing partners concerning the implementation and management of mine action projects;
Any other duties as requested and tasked by the CTA.

8. The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that

human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is create;
necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

Competencies

Core
Innovation Integrates diverse contributions to formulate coherent approaches Aligns innovation to service delivery components Manages prototype / pilot efforts and seeks feedback	Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them
Leadership Creates awareness of substantive opportunities and risks among others Navigates complex circumstances thoughtfully and is solution-minded	Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to removes barriers
People Management Coaches team members to appropriately share knowledge across teams Addresses conflicts in a timely, sensitive manner; escalates to leadership when appropriate Recognizes members of the team for their efforts and successes Optimizes individual and team abilities	Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others
Communication Persuades others to embrace new ideas, even when controversial Empathizes with client perspectives and needs and communicates messages with the clients’ experiences in mind Creates opportunities for developing new client relationships	Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
Delivery Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions Expands capacity of team to deliver on time, on target, and within organizational standards Ensures high quality of work in terms of both substantive depth and adaptive relevance to client needs Accepts responsibility for implementation / team deliverables / client satisfaction consistent with organizational standards Exhibits thorough organizational awareness of UNDP’s approach to client service delivery and integrity and accountability Exhibits sound judgment and the ability to make reasonable decisions in complex situations	Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions
Technical/Functional
Primary
Mine Action Possesses in depth technical specialty relating to the position; Ability to formula ideas drawing from extensive expertise; Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Relationship Management Demonstrated ability to engage with colleagues and counterparts and forge productive working relationships.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Operational Efficiency Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve the operational efficiency of the assigned team; Ability to manage day-to-day team activities to meet operational needs.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Research and writing skills Knowledge of various programme information for research to provide recommendation and guidance to management.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Quality Assurance Ability to perform procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals of delivered results are fulfilled.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Secondary
Knowledge Management Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things; Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches promoting Organisational Learning and Knowledge Sharing.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Client Orientation Anticipates client needs; Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider.	Level 5: Originate - Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in development studies, management, political or social sciences or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience with Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent);
A First Level University Degree (Bachelor Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience or Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at the NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience would be accepted in lieu of Master's Degree;
At least 5 years of experience in operations management (military or humanitarian mine action with a proven record of achievement;
Proven and applicable experience in management of operations in humanitarian mine action with demonstrable achievements;
Proven experience with QA and QC process with regard to humanitarian mine action;
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) qualifications;
A solid understanding of counter-mine measures/demining, or UXO clearance operations and related practices;
A clear understanding of the interactions between the pillars and implementing partners involved in a humanitarian mine action programme
Professional knowledge of demining, land release methodologies and explosives ordnance procedures;
Working knowledge of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is essential.

Language Requirements:

Very high standard of spoken and written English. Working knowledge of Arabic is a strong advantage.

Other:

Computer literacy, in particular experience of using MS Office and IMSMA (Information Management System for Mine Action)
Experience of working with a United Nations field mission or experience of living and working in transitional societies is highly desirable
Knowledge of the UN system and UNDP procedures is an asset
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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.

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This vacancy is now closed.