Operations Specialist- Weapon and Ammunition Management (WAM)/Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO)

Peace and Security Cluster

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has provided its largest partner, UNMAS, with interlinked portfolio, Programme and project management services that are reinforced by comprehensive management and oversight controls.  
Under this umbrella, the Cluster is responsible for the day-to-day management of UNMAS Field Programmes  through a comprehensive approach encompassing areas such as  human resources, procurement and contract management, as well as planning, implementation and risk management, that is supported by cross-cutting initiatives that include knowledge and information management, and gender, diversity and inclusion.  This comprehensive delivery platform is implemented  according to client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations through the leadership of the Cluster Director, who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients.

UNMAS established a Mine Action Programme in South Sudan in 2004 and requested UNOPS to assist with its implementation. A United Nations Mine Action Office was established in Juba and regional mine action offices in Bentiu, Bor, Malakal, and Wau as well as Juba.

Operational mine action activities are implemented throughout South Sudan by contractors managed and overseen by UNMAS. UNMAS ensures the effective and safe implementation of this work with Quality Management oversight of contractors.

The WAM/ATO Officer will work under the direct and overall supervision of the Chief of Operations (COO) and will closely liaise with all UNMAS offices in South Sudan. 

• Advise the UN Mission on Weapons and Ammunition Management matters by working closely with the Weapons and Ammunition Management Unit (WAMU). 

• Monitoring the storage arrangements of UN Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCC) units across South Sudan, assessing the serviceability of ammunition held, and making recommendations for ameliorating storage conditions.

• Work closely with and provide support to the UNMAS senior management regarding any WAM related projects.

• Provide oversight, mentorship and performance monitoring of UNMAS-recruited ATOs. 

• Review explosives storage proposals from WAMU.

• Support the Mission in conducting technical investigations on WAM/Ammunition Storage Areas (ASA)-related errors. 

• Provide a source of professional development of personnel’s explosives safety knowledge.

• Record and track serviceability of UNMAS explosive for supplier redress. 

• Provide transparency and technical expertise on explosives safety-related matters within the Mission. 

• Conduct regular or targeted inspections of the T/PCC ammunition storage facilities as agreed with WAMU.

  1. Supports the Mission’s WAMU by maintaining close and effective coordination with relevant T/PCCs to strengthen ammunition management capacities and risks posed by explosive hazards.

  2. Provide advisory support and technical assistance for capacity assessment elements of T/PCC military units.

  3. Provide advisory support and technical assistance to relevant T/PCC units in information management matters.

  4. Conduct formal training to T/PCC forces or contracted training personnel.

  5. Provide mentorship to selected T/PCC and national military personnel as part of formal training validation and job training.

• Where applicable, provide advice to UNMAS to ensure proper storage of explosives following national and international guidelines. 

• Stay abreast of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG's) and Modular Small Arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC).

• Provide input into developing standard procedural documents related to Weapon and Ammunition Management in support of the Mission.

• When requested, act as the Investigating Officer for detailed independent investigations or Boards of Inquiry for Mine/EO and explosives safety accidents or incidents.

• Develop, conduct training and manage the quality of training on Explosives Management, Explosive Threat Mitigation and Explosive Ordnance Disposal, for UNMISS T/PCC and UNMAS Operations personnel and Conducting stock checks in T/PCC Ammunition Storage Areas (ASAs) as required.

• Advise the programme on explosive issues such as harvesting in-country ammunition for use in ammunition disposal operations, incineration of suitable stocks, and pursuing/introducing binary explosives to UNMAS South Sudan clients.

• Perform any other tasks as directed by the UNMAS SSD Chief of Operations.

* CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

* QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of five years of relevant experience OR
• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience OR
• Military or police experience with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience OR
• Mine action experience with internationally recognized demining organization(s) with 11 years of relevant experience

Certifications:

• Ammunition Inspector Certification (in line with Level 5, IATG 01.90) or equivalent is required (e.g. Ammunition Manager certification (in line with Level 4, IATG 01.90) may be considered instead, if able to demonstrate progressive positions/experience).
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 3 plus (or equivalent) is required.
• Any other relevant certifications in explosive hazard management are desired.

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in military or humanitarian mine action technical operations.
• At least two years of experience in quality management (related to explosive threat mitigation) is required.
• Experience working with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is desired.
• Experience with ammunition of various origins (i.e. Russian, Chinese, Indian, etc.) is desired.
• Experience working with Modular Small Arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) and International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) standards is desired.
• Experience in conducting security analysis and risk assessments is desired.
• Experience with IMSMA is desired.

Language

• Fluency (reading, writing and speaking) in English is required. 
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset. 

• 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.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) Contract Level: P3 (ICS-10)
Contract Duration: 12 months, with the possibility of renewal, subject to organizational requirements and availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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.