Operations Specialist (Coordination and Compliance) , Multiple positions
Multiple locations
- Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
- Location: Multiple locations
- Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
-
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Legal - Broad
- Ombudsman and Ethics
- Managerial positions
- Closing Date: Closed
Job categories Demining
Vacancy code VA/2025/B5016/30292
Level ICS-10
Department/office GPO, NYPO, PSC, Syria Project Unit
Duty station Multiple , Syrian Arab Republic
Contract type International ICA
Contract level IICA-2
Duration Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Application period 11-Jun-2025 to 23-Jun-2025
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Functional Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Operations Specialist (Coordination and Compliance officer) will report to the Head of Operations and be responsible for the following duties:
Operations – Design and planning
Support the Head of Operations in providing input to the HPU on programme and project design documents from an operational and technical standpoint, such as:
● Workplan (e.g., nature of the threat, technical personnel and equipment requirements, etc.)
● Concept of Operations
● Input into the documents above is from the operational and technical aspects encompassing mine action pillars (e.g. clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, victim assistance, advocacy, and stockpile destruction)
● Ensure that implementation plans have viable timelines, are assigned appropriate resources, and that implementation options reflect the knowledge of the context, as well as UNOPS’ mechanisms and policies; key implementation documents include:
o UNMAS / UNOPS Project Agreements
o Solicitation documents used to contract third parties (i.e., contractors and grantees)
o Human resources plan
Operations - Implementation and monitoring
Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards, such as:
● Financial and procurement rules
● Contract and grant management policies
● Project management standards
● Health, safety, social and environmental standards
● Gender parity and mainstreaming policies
● Information management systems and standards
● Organizational design standards and human resources policies
Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with mine action technical standards, such as:
● International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and corresponding National Technical Specifications and Guidelines (NTSGs)
● International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
● Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC)
Oversee, coordinate, and monitor mine action operations and performance (both operations conducted in-house and those conducted through third-party contractors and grantees), including:
● Ensure third-party contracts and grants are delivered in accordance with contractual / grant terms and conditions, including in accordance with mine action technical, operational and quality assurance processes (Implementation Plan, SOPs, task orders issuance, accreditation).
● Review all performance reports and populate internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms (i.e. grant and contract management plans) to inform the monthly payment process.
● Implement the program quality management and information management system.
● Advise the Head of Operations on potential technical and operational issues that may impact the achievement of programme / project outcomes and appropriate solutions.
● Participate in Boards of Inquiry as relevant.
● Ensure operational plans are effective and reviewed regularly.
Stakeholder management
● In support of the HPU and the Head of Operations, manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct UNOPS stakeholders, particularly around operational and technical issues
People management
● Mentor and advise operations personnel in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best operational processes.
● Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the Operations team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
● Directly lead national and international UNOPS personnel in a multicultural team, ensuring a professional, ethical and well-managed operations team.
● Foster a positive and enabling work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
● Ensure that regular performance reviews are conducted, and any issues are immediately addressed.
Knowledge management and innovation
● Ensure records of operations-related files are well maintained.
● Effectively manage efficient and effective operations in his AOR
● Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance operational results
Operations – Design and planning
Support the Head of Operations in providing input to the HPU on programme and project design documents from an operational and technical standpoint, such as:
● Workplan (e.g., nature of the threat, technical personnel and equipment requirements, etc.)
● Concept of Operations
● Input into the documents above is from the operational and technical aspects encompassing mine action pillars (e.g. clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, victim assistance, advocacy, and stockpile destruction)
● Ensure that implementation plans have viable timelines, are assigned appropriate resources, and that implementation options reflect the knowledge of the context, as well as UNOPS’ mechanisms and policies; key implementation documents include:
o UNMAS / UNOPS Project Agreements
o Solicitation documents used to contract third parties (i.e., contractors and grantees)
o Human resources plan
Operations - Implementation and monitoring
Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards, such as:
● Financial and procurement rules
● Contract and grant management policies
● Project management standards
● Health, safety, social and environmental standards
● Gender parity and mainstreaming policies
● Information management systems and standards
● Organizational design standards and human resources policies
Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with mine action technical standards, such as:
● International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and corresponding National Technical Specifications and Guidelines (NTSGs)
● International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
● Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC)
Oversee, coordinate, and monitor mine action operations and performance (both operations conducted in-house and those conducted through third-party contractors and grantees), including:
● Ensure third-party contracts and grants are delivered in accordance with contractual / grant terms and conditions, including in accordance with mine action technical, operational and quality assurance processes (Implementation Plan, SOPs, task orders issuance, accreditation).
● Review all performance reports and populate internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms (i.e. grant and contract management plans) to inform the monthly payment process.
● Implement the program quality management and information management system.
● Advise the Head of Operations on potential technical and operational issues that may impact the achievement of programme / project outcomes and appropriate solutions.
● Participate in Boards of Inquiry as relevant.
● Ensure operational plans are effective and reviewed regularly.
Stakeholder management
● In support of the HPU and the Head of Operations, manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct UNOPS stakeholders, particularly around operational and technical issues
People management
● Mentor and advise operations personnel in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best operational processes.
● Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the Operations team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
● Directly lead national and international UNOPS personnel in a multicultural team, ensuring a professional, ethical and well-managed operations team.
● Foster a positive and enabling work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
● Ensure that regular performance reviews are conducted, and any issues are immediately addressed.
Knowledge management and innovation
● Ensure records of operations-related files are well maintained.
● Effectively manage efficient and effective operations in his AOR
● Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance operational results
Education/Experience/Language requirements
a. Education
● Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required.
● In lieu of an Advanced University Degree, either (a) a First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted or (b) a minimum of 11 years of military or police experience may be accepted (see “Experience” below)
b. Work Experience
● Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management in a military, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development context
● A minimum of 3 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in explosive hazard management is required, in particular, experience managing one or more of the following activities:
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal including multiple items and logistical demolitions
- Non-technical survey
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal including multiple items and logistical demolitions
- Technical survey
- Mechanical clearance and ground preparation
- Mechanical assisted clearance operations in an urban environment
- Manual mine clearance
- Battle Area clearance
- Road clearance
- Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD)
● Experience applying one of the following standards is required
International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
● Experience applying the following standards is desired:
Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC).
● Experience using information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.
Certification:
EOD Level 3 certification is required. Certificate is to be submitted as part of the application.
(EOD qualification must be from organisations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards - Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.)
c. Language
● Fluency in English (read, write, and speak) is required
● Fluency in Arabic (read, write, and speak) is required
● Fluency in another official UN language is desired
● Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required.
● In lieu of an Advanced University Degree, either (a) a First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted or (b) a minimum of 11 years of military or police experience may be accepted (see “Experience” below)
b. Work Experience
● Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management in a military, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development context
● A minimum of 3 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in explosive hazard management is required, in particular, experience managing one or more of the following activities:
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal including multiple items and logistical demolitions
- Non-technical survey
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal including multiple items and logistical demolitions
- Technical survey
- Mechanical clearance and ground preparation
- Mechanical assisted clearance operations in an urban environment
- Manual mine clearance
- Battle Area clearance
- Road clearance
- Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD)
● Experience applying one of the following standards is required
International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
● Experience applying the following standards is desired:
Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC).
● Experience using information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.
Certification:
EOD Level 3 certification is required. Certificate is to be submitted as part of the application.
(EOD qualification must be from organisations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards - Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.)
c. Language
● Fluency in English (read, write, and speak) is required
● Fluency in Arabic (read, write, and speak) is required
● Fluency in another official UN language is desired
This vacancy is now closed.