Operations Senior Officer (Associate Small Arms Officer) – Kinshasa and Goma, Multiple positions

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

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) DRC

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered nearly two decades of turmoil, particularly in the eastern provinces. The use of landmines was a feature during the conflict and Explosive Remnants of War from the fighting remain a hazard.

UNMAS established its presence in the DRC in 2002 to provide support to the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUSCO) and to conduct humanitarian mine action. It continues to work with all actors involved in mine action, and weapons and ammunition management and safety issues.

Functional Responsibilities

The Associate Small Arms Officer (ASAO) work will be undertaken under the direct supervision of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Project Manager with guidance from the UNMAS Head of Operations/Head of Project Unit (HPU) and in coordination with the UNMAS Operations.

The ASAO is responsible to provide continuous support to SALW Project Manager in technical guidance to the “Commission nationale de contrôle des Armes Légères et de Petit Calibre” CNC-ALPC, on its implementation of the Small Arms and Light Weapons National Action Plan (NAP) and support to MONUSCO Arms Embargo Unit on request. The support to CNC-ALPC will particularly focus on the integration of the SALW support to Armed Forces (Forces Armées de la RDC, FARDC), and to the National Police (Police Nationale du Congo, PNC) into the CNC-ALPC action, to improve their control on the State held weapons.

Under this work component, the ASAO will be specifically responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Support in strengthening the partnership between UNMAS and the CNC-ALPC, with a primary focus on the development and implementation of the new NAP.
• Support in the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation mechanism and supervising the NAP implementation to measure its progress.
• in compliance with international standards (MOSAIC and IATG ), assist in conception and development of support to CNC-ALPC action to improve their support, and hence their control, to the National Forces (FARDC and PNC) to reinforce their Weapon and Ammunition Management (WAM) policy,
• Under SALW project supervision, assist in planning all necessary training, and organize any required WAM training session, including training of trainers.
• Gather all relevant information from partners involved in the control of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), and support in contribution to their reports and in monitoring progress made in the NAP implementation.
• Support initiatives to coordinate SALW control and weapons and ammunition management programmes and projects at the national level, in cooperation with the CNC-ALPC and together with MONUSCO and other stakeholders.
• On request, provide support to the training of MONUSCO personnel on collection of SALW information at field level, including through the finalization and roll out of a guide on weapons identification and documentation.
• When required the ASAO will participate in meetings and working groups as requested by Programme Section and other projects.
• Provide input in development of information sharing mechanisms or approach with neighboring UNMAS programmes, NGO and partners to improve information sharing.
• Provide support to the Project Manager in developing partnership to enhance cooperation between DRC Security Force including DRC Border Police Force for sharing information.
• On request, actively participate in enhancing the synchronization of Arms Embargo Unit information flow and gathered intelligence within MONUSCO.
• Provide support in Programme fundraising prospect activities.
• Provide input to project progress reports and regular donor reports.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

* CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

* QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience OR
• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience OR
• A minimum of 8 years of military or police experience may be accepted (see “Experience” below) is required.

Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in Programme or project management in a public or private organization.
• Experience working on weapons and ammunition management activities in line with MOSAIC and IATG standards is required.
• Experience in supporting capacity building initiatives is required.
• Experience working with national authorities is desired.
• Experience working in conflict and post conflict stabilization environments is desired.

Language

• Fluency in French (speaking, writing and reading) is required.
• Fluency in English (speaking, writing and reading) is required.