UNOPS Overview

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNMAS Overview

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis is delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AUSSOM Sector Headquarters and at AUSSOM Force Headquarters, who support AUSSOM planning and operations. As a component of the UN Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), including the Somali Security Forces, Somali Explosive Management Authority and Office of National Security. 

UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster:

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) supports and facilitates the work of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), other UN partners, and Governments globally in territories affected by explosive-hazards. The UNOPS PSC provides specialized project management services to efficiently support UNMAS in delivering essential work on the ground in emergency, post-conflict and peace-keeping environments with the aim of promoting peace and security, protecting civilians and ensuring long lasting human security.

Job Specific Information  

Under the general supervision of the Head of Project Unit (HPU), and direct supervision of the Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) Advisor, the National Operations Assistant – Weapons and Ammunition Management will provide support to AUSSOM, FGS and Federal Member States (FMS), as appropriate. The functional responsibilities, following a period of training include:

 Functional Responsibilities

• Assist the WAM Advisor in preparing and delivering technical support to AUSSOM, FGS and FMS with Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) to reduce the risk of loss, theft and diversion and Unplanned Explosions at Munition Sites (UEMS).

• Assist the WAM Advisor in preparing and supporting requirements to AUSSOM and FGS with the development of policies and procedures to improve and standardize the processing of captured weapons and ammunition. The procedures will be developed in conjunction with the appropriate weapons and ammunition storage, marking and recording keeping standards.

• Coordinate engagements with focal points and stakeholders relevant to Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) activities in Somalia.

• Assist the WAM Advisor in maintaining a log on the disposal of illicit, surplus, and obsolete weapons and ammunition constitutes as an important element of a comprehensive WAM programme which is part of the procedures and capacities for the safe disposal of weapons and ammunition.  

• Provide logistical support, including coordination and minute-taking to stakeholder engagements related to WAM.

• Coordinate with the WAM Advisor and FGS to deliver technical assessments of Somalia’s weapons and ammunition management capability to inform recommendations for improvement at the FGS and FMS levels. Assessments are fundamental to inform targeted and evidence-based control measures and will enable the FGS to optimize and mobilize available resources and seek tailored support.

• Through researching and referencing, assist the WAM Advisor in preparing technical guidance to improve measures and interventions to curb the illicit flows of weapons and ammunition into and within Somalia and mitigate their adverse impact on security and stability.

• Support the Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) Advisor in creating implementation concepts to enhance the centralized system for the importation, registration, and distribution of weapons and ammunition, and to establish transfer controls for effective and harmonized practices while strengthening federal control.

• Assist in delivering technical advice to the FGS with improvements in efficiency of weapons marking and record-keeping programs at the federal level and incrementally extend similar capacity to the state level, including improvements to strengthen record-keeping systems across all forces and along the supply chain. 

• Arrange meetings and engagements with stakeholders, including relevant FGS and FMS ministries as required.

• Assist with monitoring technical recommendations to ensure all advice and support is provided in alignment with relevant international standards and assist with interpretation and translation as required (English to Somali).

• Implement any other tasks requested by the HPU and/or WAM Advisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

A.  Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration, Finance, Procurement, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Project Management or Communications with one (1) year of experience would be an asset and may substitute required years of experience.

B. Work Experience

• A minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience working in the project implementation supporting/ assisting project related to the Security Sector, Operational support, Project management, Stockpile/Logistics Management or related fields is required. 

• Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices is highly desirable.

• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.

• Experience in working with or coordinating with government agencies is desired.

C. Language Requirements 

• For this position, fluency in English Language (i.e. writing, reading and speaking) is required.
• Fluency in Somali is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

D. Certification 

• Certified EOD IMAS Level 2 is desirable.

 Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 5 / ICS 5

Contract duration: Ongoing (Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to 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 

or here 

https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=30786#4