Project Management Specialist (Monitor), UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen(Multiple)

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the stability and humanitarian efforts in Yemen by ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of commercial and humanitarian cargo. The role involves complex problem-solving, international collaboration, and the application of established policies to meet emerging needs within a dynamic and challenging environment

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis. In 2025, around 19.5 million people are in dire need of assistance. Of these, 15 million are women and children. In order to facilitate commercial cargo arriving to the Red Sea ports not under the control of the Government of Yemen, namely Ras Isa, Saleef, and Hodeida, the Government of Yemen requested the UN Secretary-General to establish the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM). UNVIM was established in December 2015 and has been operating from Djibouti since 5 May 2016. UNVIM was designed, operationalized and is managed by UNOPS on behalf of the Government of Yemen and the concerned Member States, with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) serving as the UN Secretariat lead. By building confidence among commercial shippers and enabling them to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, UNVIM plays a crucial role in supporting the resilience of the Yemeni economy, while helping to deter efforts to smuggle illicit cargo under UNSCR 2216

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Manager and in close coordination with the Coordination Officer and the operations team, the Project Management Specialist (Monitor) independently manages the document verification process and ensure compliance with  UNVIM Standard operating procedures (SoP9 during monitoring, screening, inspection, seizure, and disposal processes of cargo destined for Yemen’s Red Sea Ports. The incumbent provides authoritative advice on the application of established policies and adapts existing policies to meet emerging needs, ensuring compliance with UNSCR 2216 (2015) and facilitating the unimpeded flow of legitimate commercial items

1. Document Verification and Clearance

• Lead the document verification process (desk review) of clearance requests submitted to UNVIM, ensuring timely and efficient processing in accordance with UNVIM guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP).

• Create a case file on the internal database for all received clearance requests and ensure the verification process is conducted efficiently.

• Assess, analyze, and investigate clearance requests, requesting supporting documents where necessary.

• Conduct internal discussions and consultations with Coordination Officers, Monitors, Inspectors, and other UNVIM staff to obtain a consensus on requests and resolve any discrepancies before clearance.

• Ensure cargo does not contain any prohibited items as per UNSCR 2216 (2015) and as declared by the requesting entity, categorizing cargo lists into food, humanitarian cargo, and suspected cargo as required.

2. Cargo Monitoring and Inspection

• Represent UNVIM during the monitoring, screening, inspection, seizure, and disposal processes of containerized, bulk, or break bulk cargo destined for Yemen’s Red Sea Ports in international waters or trans-shipment ports, in accordance with UNVIM guidelines and SOP.

• Work with importers, traders, and port authorities to ensure container screening and inspections comply with UN and Government of Yemen guidelines.

• Monitor the screening and inspection process of suspected items in trans-shipment ports as outlined in UNSCR 2216(2015).

• Ensure relevant sections of the database are populated properly and prepare monitoring and inspection reports as per reporting templates, providing them to Coordination Officers for onward perusal.

3. Vessel and Cargo Inspections

• Oversee primary and secondary inspections of vessels and cargo, verifying relevant information and documents from UNVIM colleagues or database sources.

• Coordinate inspection planning dates, times, and procedures with internal and external entities, ensuring inspections of vessels, cargo, and crew are conducted according to UN guidelines.

• Engage shipping entities and port authorities to obtain relevant documents and draft inspection reports listing the conclusions of the inspection for the UN Security Council.

4. Security and Safety

• Collect, update, and communicate information regarding the security situation in the country/region, in coordination with the regional security advisor and UNDSS.

• Reinforce all safety and security-related matters, including the planning and implementation of activities in line with the UN Security Management System methodology, policies, and procedures.

• Contribute, as required, to security risk assessments outlining potential threats and risk levels.

5. Additional Functions

• Perform additional functions as per project expansion and changes as assigned by the Project Manager, in accordance with the requirements of the UNVIM Mandate.