Operations – Senior Manager (Head of Operations), Baghdad – Iraq

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

Background Information – PSC Iraq Project Unit

The PSC Iraq Project Unit operates as an integral part of the Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Head of the Iraq Project Unit (HPU) reports to the PSC Director who provides direction and guidance. S/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising, and closing all projects in the country in order to support substantive partners in delivering its mandate.

In Iraq, PSC’s partner is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and UNMAS’ representative in-country is the Chief Mine Action Programme (CMAP). The CMAP is therefore the HPU’s primary stakeholder. UNOPS PSC and UNMAS have developed a delineation of responsibilities, using a responsibility matrix to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. The HPU is expected to work in close cooperation with the CMAP, ensuring that, in substance, the Iraq mine action programme operates as one integrated team.

UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 20 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) s and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

Background Information – UNMAS Iraq Programme

The UNMAS Iraq programme was formally established in June 2015, at the request of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq, to lead the UN efforts to mitigate explosive threats in the country, as well as to support the enhancement of national and regional mine action capacities. UNMAS supports the Government of Iraq to protect civilians from the threat of explosive ordnance and enables humanitarian, stabilization and reconstruction, and socio-economic efforts. under the UNMAS Iraq Programme Strategy focusing on three main components: 1. Explosive Hazard Management; 2. Technical Support to National Mine Action Authorities (NMAAs), and 3. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE). UNMAS Iraq has offices in both Baghdad and Erbil.

Functional Responsibilities

Candidates with non-UN experience are encouraged to apply! Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply!

Reporting to the Head of Project Unit (HPU), the incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:

1. Operations – Design and Planning:

Support the HPU in providing input to the CMAP on programme and project design documents for the technical pillars from an operational and technical standpoint, such as:

• Provide input to the documents and processes below from the operational and technical aspects encompassing mine action pillars (e.g. clearance, EORE, advocacy and technical support) in coordination with specific Team Leads for the technical pillars including:

  • The Programme Strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework, stakeholder; analysis; risk analysis) and Workplan and Budget (e.g. nature of threat; technical personnel and equipment requirements, etc.);
  • Concepts of Operations, Concept Notes and Proposals; and
  • Key papers at the request of the NMAAs and/or at the request of the CMAP covering the UNMAS Iraq Programme.
  • Draft Statement of Works, Call for Proposals, participate in the Evaluation of Proposals as Technical Representative and support the Procurement and Grant Officers in this process as required.

• Ensure that implementation plans have viable timelines, are assigned appropriate resources, and that implementation options reflect the knowledge of the context, as well as UNOPS’ mechanisms and policies; key implementation documents including:

  • UNMAS / UNOPS Project Agreements;
  • Iraq Programme Workplan and Activity Plan;
  • Solicitation documents used to contract third parties (i.e. contractors and grantees); and
  • Human resources plan.

• Develop and maintain Standard Working Procedures (SWPs) for UNMAS Iraq operations in coordination with specific Team Leads for the technical pillars.

2. Operations – Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting:

• Oversee, coordinate, and monitor mine action operations and performance of Explosive Hazard Management (EHM) and EORE (both operations conducted in-house and those conducted through third-party contractors and grantees), including:

  • Ensure third-party contracts and grants are delivered in accordance with contractual / grant terms and conditions, including in accordance with mine action technical, operational, and quality assurance processes (Implementation Plan, SOPs, task orders issuance, accreditation, QMS etc);
  • Review all performance reports and populate internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms (i.e., grant and contract management plans) to inform the monthly payment process;
  • Design, implement and oversee a robust quality management and information management system;
  • Design and maintain a risk management system focused on problem solving which ties into contract management awareness; maintain and utilise risk and issues logs;
  • Organize debriefing with the grantee/contractor to provide feedback on performance against deliverables and if necessary, discuss corrective actions to be taken in following months, recommend liquidated damages and/or lead dispute resolutions if necessary;
  • Advise the HPU on potential technical and operational issues that may impact the achievement of programme / project outcomes and appropriate solutions.
  • Lead Boards of Inquiry as relevant;
  • Ensure operational plans are cost effective and reviewed regularly;
  • In support of the HPU, contribute to monitoring budgets/expenditure for over/under spend and adjust planning accordingly; and
  • Coordinate with field level operational partners, UN, and government counterparts to support implementation of the operational activities. This includes governors, NMAAs, Iraqi Security Forces, United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI, Mine Action actors and other key stakeholders.

• Guide and support the Technical Support Coordinator in implementation and monitoring of the Technical Support related activities (both operations conducted in-house and those conducted through third-party contractors and grantees).

• Oversee, coordinate, and monitor reporting and performance of operations of EHM, EORE and Technical Support including:

  • Ensure performance against the targets of the logical framework and Workplan of the Programme;
  • Provide performance updates and reports to key reports, including reports for donors, UN and other key counterparts as requested; and
  • Lead operations inputs and delivery for quarterly and annual reviews, workplan reviews and other such monitoring systems as required.

3. Stakeholder Management:

• In support of the HPU, manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct stakeholders, particularly around operational and technical issues.
• In support of the HPU, upon request from the CMAP, engage national mine action authorities and/or relevant Government ministries for purposes of coordination as requested. This may relate to operations and implementation, review/implementation of NTSGs and/or IMAS and other relevant international standards as well as treaty implementation/obligations.
• Participate, support and lead (as needed) thematic in-country coordination forums related to Mine Action (upon request from the CMAP) such as Coordination Mechanism for Mine Action in Iraq (CMMAI) and Durable Solutions Working Groups/Area-Based Coordination Groups.

4. People Management:

• Support in recruitment, training, guiding, empowering, and developing the operations team, with consideration for individual training and development needs.
• Mentor and advise operations personnel in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best operational processes.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the Operations team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Directly lead national and international UNOPS personnel in a multicultural team, ensuring a professional, ethical and well-managed operations team.
• Foster a positive and enabling work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Ensure that regular performance reviews are conducted, and any issues are immediately addressed.

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation:

• Ensure records of operations-related files are well maintained.
• Implement relevant tools and templates to effectively manage efficient and effective operations.
• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance operational results.
• Initiate and undertake lessons learned exercises, including the sharing, effective filing, and incorporation into future operational plans and ensure information sharing.

6. Management:

• Lead, manage and direct the Project/Operations Section of the UNMAS Iraq Programme.
• Collaborate, coordinate and work together with other Section Heads of the UNMAS Iraq Programme for coordinated and cohesive results.
• Support and collaborate with the HPU and CMAP, as part of the extended management team of UNMAS Iraq.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master degree or equivalent) with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, or
• First-level university degree (bachelor degree or equivalent) with nine years of relevant experience; or
• Military or police experience with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as operations management experience in military, police, or humanitarian settings
• Three years of leadership experience, including the supervision of teams from a project management perspective is required
• Five years of proven and applicable experience in explosive hazard management, including the management of humanitarian mine action operations is required
• EOD level 3+ certification (aligned with IMAS standards) from a recognized institution is required
• Experience applying IMAS to operations and ensuring quality management against international standards is desired
• Familiarity with information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is desired

Language:

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required
• Knowledge of Arabic language (speaking, reading, and writing) is desired

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)

Contract level: P4 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link*:* https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.