Mine Action Capacity Building Advisor

UNOPS

UNOPS employs more than 6,000 personnel and, on behalf of its partners, creates thousands more work Opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional Offices and a further 20 operations and project centers, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients heads it.

Central African Republic (CAR)

The Central African Republic (CAR) is faced with an increasing explosive ordnance threat following years of conflicts which continue to impact civilian lives and livelihoods and impede humanitarian access in the country. This explosive ordnance threat is coupled with a history of illicit flow of small arms and light weapons, undermining the stability and the rule of law in a context where the national authorities’ ability to manage and store weapons and ammunition is structurally non-existent. In response to the explosive ordnance threat and the weak weapons and ammunition management structure, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), as a component of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), mitigates the threat by supporting the explosive ordnance threat mitigation (EOTM) capacity building of the MINUSCA Force; building the EOTM capacity of the national defense and internal security forces; empowering the civilian population, UN personnel and humanitarians through explosive ordnance risk education and awareness; as well as building the country’s weapons and ammunition management capacity.

Functional Responsibilities

To meet its objective, UNMAS MINUSCA is seeking a highly qualified and motivated expert consultant to support the establishment of a National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) in the Central African Republic (CAR), as well as lead the coordination of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) in the country with relevant partners.

Establishment of the NMAA
In coordination with the CAR government focal point on mine action, other high-level government officials, and relevant stakeholders and agencies in the country, the Capacity Building Advisor will support the establishment of a NMAA in CAR with regular strategic, policy and technical advice, advocacy, stakeholder coordination, and relationship building. The objective, over time, is to build the capacity and sustainability of the NMAA in the country so it can self-sufficiently assume planning, coordination and monitoring of humanitarian mine action operations in the country. The post holder will lead an assessment and identification of areas for improvement within the CAR government, to build a long-term and sustainable national capacity which is increasingly able to take on the management of the sector. The Capacity Building Advisor will work with the national authorities and will coordinate activities in relation with UNMAS mandate in CAR with partners which may include MINUSCA sections, UN agencies, funds and programmes, government counterparts, as well as international and national NGOs.

Specifically, the Capacity Building Advisor will be responsible for:

• Identify and contact international/national stakeholders on humanitarian mine action upon arrival in-country;
• Liaise, coordinate, and facilitate with the national authorities and other relevant stakeholders with respect to the creation of the NMAA in the country;
• Organize and participate in meetings and workshops and provide substantive expertise and hold strategic and technical discussions with representatives of relevant national institutions, respective governmental authorities, donors, and international partners, including MINUSCA sections and UN agencies, funds and programmes, engaged in addressing humanitarian mine action;
• Support the development of a national strategy and of a national action plan for the NMAA;
• Support the development of a resource mobilization strategy for the NMAA;
• Support the development of specific projects based on the priorities of the NMAA;
• Provide policy advice to the UNMAS Chief Mine Action Programme (CMAP) and other relevant senior UNMAS personnel on all aspects related to humanitarian mine action;
• Provide substantive input in the preparation of papers, reports, and presentations as appropriate;
• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the CMAP.

Coordination of the MA AoR
In coordination with relevant humanitarian mine action actors in the country, the Capacity Building Advisor will lead the coordination of the MA AoR, which was activated in CAR in April 2023. The post holder will support effective coordination of activities among humanitarians and other relevant partners. This includes, but not limited to:

• Convene regular MA AoR coordination meetings and participate in other relevant meetings at various levels as required;
• Develop and maintain appropriate links with national and local authorities, state institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders;
• Secure commitment of humanitarian partners to respond to identified needs, fill gaps, ensure an appropriate distribution of responsibilities and complementarities of different actors actions, and promote responses to urgent protection concerns;
• Provide technical guidance and information to the protection cluster and other cluster members and partners as needed regarding the explosive ordnance threat;
• Maintain the profile of humanitarian mine action within the broader protection structure – promoting the available services of mine action partners to support other humanitarian actors to mitigate the risks from explosive ordnance in their work;
• Coordinate the inclusion of mine action aspects in the Humanitarian Needs Overview, Humanitarian Response Plan and Flash Appeal;
• Provide any relevant data to support the platforms UNMAS Global Information Management System (IMS), contributing to populating relevant mine action reporting;
• Promote standards, norms, and guidelines in mine action: International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Technical Standards and Guidelines for CAR, and Gender Guidelines for mine action programmes;
• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the CMAP.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) is established and operational.
• The Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) is effectively co-coordinated with relevant international and national stakeholders.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience or;
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience;
• Military or Police Experience with 13 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in advisory and coordination roles, as well as in managing capacity-building activities for government partners in the humanitarian mine action sector, ideally in a conflict or post-conflict environment.
• Sound knowledge of mine action sector, including the relevant international mine action standards, instruments and conventions.

Language

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing and reading) is required.
• Fluency in French (speaking, writing and reading) is required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: International ICA (IICA 3)
2. Contract level: IICA 3 (ICS 11)
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.