Project Management Support Specialist

Peace and Security Cluster

Background Information - Mali Programme

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 2584 (2021). 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.

The Project Management Support Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Manager for UNMAS POCMA Project. They will act as the planning /Quality Assurance (QA) focal point for the project.

Summary of Key Functions:

● Manage all planning activities relating to the project.

● Manage quality assurance (QA), monitoring and evaluation activities.

● Act as OIC the Project Manager in Her/His absence.

In relation to the above key functions, the Project Management Support Specialist will conduct the following tasks:

● Support the project Manager  in the design of plans of action (multi-year strategy, annual and monthly work plans, procurement plan, recruitment plan, budget plan) and oversee Project team members contribution to planning works;

● Monitor the implementation of the project activities and maintain monitoring tools;

● Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the implementation progress.

● Coordinate, facilitate and prioritize all operations of protection of civilians’ humanitarian mine action projects

● Ensure policy coherence for all planning involving humanitarian mine action , in line with current, UNMAS policy, and the  country strategy

● Identify and compile the lessons learned. Focus shall be placed on continuous technical improvement within the project, comprising advisory services, training, service provision, and direct implementation of Humanitarian mine action ;

● Build the  capacity of the project coordinators and assistants in terms of  POCMA related QA/QC activities.

● Communicate with relevant Humanitarian Mine action actors and stakeholders for the smooth running of the operations

● Oversee, plan and coordinate the implementation, execution and completion of all POCMA related operations for projects

● Ensure quality control on all POCMA training and mentorship carried out by the implementing partners to the benefit of the project personnel and beneficiaries.

● Ensure close and effective interaction and coordination of the integral aspects of mine action,

● Ensure that all data on POCMA activities is captured through the appropriate processes tools and trackers

● In coordination with the QM officer, provide guidance on any specific corrective actions to be taken by organizations, following an inspection, which finds a non-conformity.

● Implement established QA management systems and ensure that the systems are being applied in a fair and equitable manner, and that accreditation, licensing and monitoring does not interrupt or delay the projects

● Conduct routine on-site QA of POCMA operations and as part of the accreditation process.

● Ensure that POCMA related task dossiers are properly documented, validated and archived

● Maintain, revise and update SOPs and technical standards with the relevant technical matter experts

● Support the collection of data and the management of information

a.     Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with minimum 5 years of relevant experience; OR
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with minimum 7 years of relevant experience; OR

b.     Work Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in implementing and managing humanitarian Project/Operations within a recognized international  organization or development setting.
• Within the relevant experience, 2 years’ experience in the field of EORE (Explosives Ordnance Risk Education), Victim assistance or  QA /QM (Quality Assurance/Quality Management), humanitarian mine action, or related protection of civilians’ fields is desired.
• Experience in training or capacity building is desired.

c.     Language

• Fluent in English (read, write and speak) is required
• Fluent in French (read, write and speak) is required

Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement Contract level: IICA 2 (ICS10)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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 is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.