National Operations Officer

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development.

UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe.

In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Vacancy Details

Vacancy No: MASOM1112_ 230

Post Title: National Operations Officer

Post Level: LICA 5 Equivalent to National officer (NOA)

Org Unit: Mine Action Programme - Somalia

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia

Duration: 12 Months (Renewable - subject to availability of funds)

Closing Date: 15th February, 2012

Organisational Context

The Mine Action Programme in Somalia had been implemented by UNMAS since 2002. The programme started in Somaliland (1992-1993, 1997-1998 and 1999-present), and Puntland (2003-2005), and has implemented capacity building projects, provided technical assistance for the national Somaliland and Puntland Mine Action centres and the Police Explosive Ordnance disposal teams. Mine Action operations in south central Somalia were launched in 2007 with the primary objective of establishing a national Mine Action Coordination Center to cover the remaining regions of south central Somalia.

The UN Somalia Mine Action Programme (UNSOMA) has transitioned and will operate under the responsibility of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), executed by UNOPS. In South Central, UNSOMA will expand the activities in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

In complement to the provision of capacity building and support for the AMISOM forces to undertake EOD (Explosive Ordnance) activities in Mogadishu to reduce the large amounts of ERW (Explosive Remnants of War) and stockpiles throughout the city, Police EOD teams will be deployed in Mogadishu in concert with an emergency MRE initiatives by UNMAS, UNICEF and UNHCR to reach the large numbers of returnees for provision of humanitarian assistance.

UNSOMA has an office in Nairobi to provide managerial and support functions for the Regional Offices in Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Operations, daily reporting to the Chief of Operations, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Key functions:

• Comprehensive general operational management of the UNSOMA Regional Mine Action Office (RMAO) in Mogadishu.
• Coordinate, facilitate and prioritize all operational tasking’s for Mine Action activities in Mogadishu.
• Responsible for all aspects of Mine Action related activities carried out by staff under his/her supervision and control.
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation, execution and completion of all mine related operations in Mogadishu.
• Research and compile briefing documentation in support of Mine Action tasks.
• Oversee the production of periodic progress information reports.
• Collecting and report weekly statistic returns on mine action activities within Somalia and provide solutions to problems and issues that arise.
• Oversee IMSMA database facilitators for the regular updating of maps and other visual display information in the Operations section.
• When requested, conduct formal investigations and boards of inquiry of mine action incidents/accidents.
• In direct consultation with the Chief of Operations assist in the coordination of operational de-mining activities between UNSOMA and other National/International organizations.
• Maintenance and interpretation of survey reports and task folders.
• Undertake other duties as may be assigned by the Chief of Operations.

Education and Experience

Education:

• Bachelors Degree in relevant field
• Minimum 6 years experience in Mine Action Field Operations
• Specialized certification mine Clearance or demining is desirable
• An understanding of mine action operations in Somalia
• Ability to work independently, and to meet tight deadlines
• High computer literacy; Working experience on MS-Office
• Fluency in written/spoken English and Somali language
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and gender-equal environment

Professionalism:

• Good inter-personal and communications skills and the ability to interact readily with UN staff members at all levels
• Good report writing skills
• Ability to interact and liaise with all levels of sources, i.e. local Somali sources, international sources, Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopian sources and in particular their information units;
• Ability to work under strict deadlines and under stressful conditions.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
  
• Good knowledge of colloquial Somali and dialects of Somali clans in South Central Somalia is required.

Other requirements

• Candidates should be skilled in office-related computer applications.
• Experience with a UN Mine Action Centre or Demining NGO will be an advantage.
• Good written communication and report writing skills.
• Candidates with experience in South Central Somalia and knowledge of bordering countries and the dynamics of cross border security related incidents are encouraged to apply.

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail to somaliamineaction@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations

• 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.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website atwww.unops.org.