Mine Risk Education Officer Job Vacancy at UNOPS Somalia

Vacancy code VA/2012/B5001/71
Job title :Mine Risk Education Officer
Department/office NAO, Mine Action
Duty station Mogadishu (initially), Baidoa (expected), Somalia
Contract type International ICA
Contract level IICA-2
Duration 8 months
Application period 29-Jun-2012 to 21-Jul-2012


Background Information - MAS

Mine Action Cluster
The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster was established in 1997. Based in New York, it has helped partners to significantly improve the lives of people in more than 30 countries across the world. The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster has supported Mine Action efforts in both emergency and post conflict settings. It delivers fast procurement, recruitment and management services to facilitate humanitarian aid and launch emergency mine clearance.
Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Explosive Management Programme in Somalia is executed by UNOPS. The Programme comprises four main components:

    Explosive Management Support for AMISOM (EMSA), which provides explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and counter-IED (C-IED) training, mentorship and support to the African Union Peacekeeping mission in Somalia;
    Explosive Management Support for the Somali Security Sector, an initiative launched in 2010 to assist the Somali Security Sector institutions with establishing the necessary EOD, C-IED and demining policies, legislation and capability;
    UN Somalia Mine Action provides a humanitarian response to the mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) threat throughout Somalia, in both emergency and development contexts; and

The programme has been conducting operations in South Central Somalia since 2007, and expanded with the launch of EMSA as a component of the UN Support Office for AMISOM’s (UNSOA) logistical support package in March 2009, while activities in Somaliland and Puntland were adopted from UNDP in 2010.

Regional Offices in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Hargeisa and Garowe direct operations in Somalia, with the support of a management, coordination and administrative hub in Nairobi.

This post will support  MRE activities  in all four project areas, while focusing on activities funded by the EC’s Instrument for Stability.

The incumbent will report to the UNSOMA Humanitarian Project Manager

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Functional Responsibilities

    Provide guidance to Mine Risk Education (MRE) section staff;
    Ensure staff duties and administrative actions are implemented according to policy;
    Ensure all staff activities including those projects that involve multiple sectors are coordinated at central and regional management levels;
    Provide technical and planning support to Mine Action implementing agencies with regards to project implementation including training, materials development, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance activities;
    Provide the necessary supports and inputs for government planning, technical advice, follow up and oversight of activities;
    Develop new initiatives relevant to MRE;
    Evaluation of MRE tools;
    Provide guidance and capacity development opportunities to national mine action staff, implementing partners, and government actors with regards to the technical, monitoring including implementation of National Technical Standard and Guidelines (NTSGs) and reporting skills needed for proper oversight of mine risk education activities;
    Develop annual work plan for MRE activities;
    Develop budgetary forecasts and resource allocation plans including staff and training needs for programme implementation based on annual work plan;
    Participate in transition planning process on MRE;
    Assist with project proposals and new initiatives, develop budgets and liaise with donors;
    Provide relevant inputs for donors’ reports;
    Ensure regular MRE reporting from regional offices for MACC, UNOPS and UNMAS as required;
    Provide guidance and oversight of the contracting procedures to ensure timely submissions and feedback to implementing partners regarding scope of work and budgets;
    Ensures implementing partners provide financial reports and reconciliation of fund utilization on time and in an appropriate format acceptable to donors;
    Ensure implementing partners are tasked and deployed according to annual plan;
    Monitor and evaluate all implementing partners activities;
    Coordinate with implementing partners and government to develop an integrated community plan for MRE;
    Enhance information exchange methodology to ensure impacted communities are provided with up to date information on MRE activities in their area.

Competencies

    Integrity;
    Professionalism;
    Respect for diversity;
    Creativity and innovation;
    Ability to work with diverse cultures;
    Commitment to continuous Learning;
    Accountability;
    Planning and organization skills;
    Results orientation;
    Strong oral and written communications skills;
    Teamwork skills;
    Client orientation;Technological awareness.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

    Advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in relevant subject area such as education or social work and/or equivalent; or a First Level University degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) in relevant area in combination with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.   
    At least 5 years of experience in Mine Risk Education operations, management and development.
    Experience in community based education, public information communications.
    Previous experience working in a hardship location required.
    Experience in training, training development and capacity building highly desirable.
    Experience in public speaking an asset.
    Knowledge of the UN system and UNOPS procedures desired.
    Fluency in spoken and written English required.  
    Must be physically fit and in good health.                     

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA-2
Contract duration: 8 months

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

    Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
    Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
    Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
    Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
    UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below 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
How to Apply;
https://gprs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=712