Operations Senior Officer - Quality Assurance (Tigray)

 Background Information - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) 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.  It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients.  The Director is responsible for administering and providing 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.

 Background Information - Job-specific

Recent assessments indicate widespread explosive ordnance contamination in Northern part of Ethiopia including Afar and Amhara regions., especially in areas that have seen intense fighting. While the full extent and impact of the contamination is yet to be established, the fighting is believed to have contaminated vast swathes of land with explosive remnants of war (ERW). Moreover, explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue affecting the life of civilians, in recent months. ERW is spread across residential areas and internally displaced persons sites, in communal locations and amongst rubble, posing an immediate risk to life, the delivery of humanitarian aid, inhibiting safe movement, and preventing access to basic services.

The project aims to reduce the immediate and long-term impact of explosive ordnance on civilians and humanitarian operations in northern Ethiopia  through coordination and explosive ordnance risk education. As lead of the mine action area of responsibility, ensuring MA contributes to improving the safety of at-risk communities by establishing a humanitarian mine action sector, capable of effectively delivering on the objectives of the Humanitarian Response Plan. The Mine Action Response Programme defines and implements specific activities in accordance with emerging humanitarian needs and through needs-based prioritization, involving an analysis of the explosive ordnance threat, IDPs movement, survey data, and the wider humanitarian response.

 Functional Responsibilities

**There are two vacancies to fill in the same duty station in Ethiopia: Addis Ababa. 

Under the direct supervision of the Ops/QA Officer and overall supervision of Head of Project Unit (HPU), the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Support the operational management of mine action (MA) offices in Ethiopia

• Assist with the coordination of the implementation, execution and completion of all operational tasking for MA implementers activities across the programme.

• Assist with the implementation of a QA management system and ensure that the system is being applied in a fair and equitable manner, and that accreditation, licensing and monitoring does not interrupt or delay demining projects.

• Maintain, revise and update Standard Work Procedures (SWP) for UNMAS Ethiopia MA operations.

• Understand the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS); ensure that Mine Action Organization Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are in compliance with the IMAS and are conducting safe and effective Mine Action Operations;

• Analyze MA implementer reports for weekly and monthly activities across Ethiopia in order to ensure that statistics comply with their contractual obligations.

• Oversee the activities carried out by the personnel under his/her supervision and control.

• Oversee data entry into IMSMA, and/or MA Database, of all MA field reports and returns.

• Oversee the maintenance of the UNMAS operations office filing and document control systems.

• Support the Ops/QA Officer in  maintaining a professional and close working relationship with Government and local national authorities.

• Develop, monitor and maintain local networks to aid with  assessment and provide threat assessments for the safe implementation of MA activities across Ethiopia.

• Perform other related duties as required.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master degree or equivalent) combined with two years of relevant experience OR
• A first level university degree (bachelor degree or equivalent) combined with four years of relevant experience OR
• Military or police experience with at least eight year of relevant experience

Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in operations in a humanitarian or development context
• Experience in explosive hazard management is desired

Languages:

• Fluent in English (read, write and speak) is required
• Knowledge of other UN official language is desired

 Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 Additional Considerations

• Applicants must have a legal entitlement to work in Ethiopia. 
• Ability to work in all areas of Tigray without any restriction is required. 
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA 9 (ICS-9)
Contract duration: 10 months, with possibility of extension, subject to funds availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

 Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization

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