Operations Specialist – Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM)

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) South Sudan

The Mine Action Office in South Sudan is based in Juba and it supports the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as well as the national demining authorities in coordinating Mine Action activities in South Sudan.

The program has been coordinating and providing quality assurance (QA) of all humanitarian mine action activities throughout South Sudan since 2004. UNMAS-UNMISS’s current operations focus on hazardous area surveys, landmine and ERW clearance and destruction, route verification and clearance, emergency mitigation measures for improperly stored ammunition, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education for UN personnel, humanitarian partners and vulnerable groups.

In recent months, UNMAS has been assigned a more central role in UNMISS activities related to the Benchmark #4 of the SCR 2577 (2021) and progress by the South Sudanese defense and security forces on properly managing their existing arms and ammunition stockpiles and related activities, including establishing the necessary planning documents, protocols, and training for the recording, storage, distribution and management of the weapons and ammunition. In addition, UNMISS will continue actively supporting the next phase of the peace process, which is expected to entail Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) initiatives. In this regard, it is critical for UNMAS-UNMISS to continue maintaining capability to advise and assist UNMISS in any Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) activities linked to Security Sector Reform (SSR) and DDR.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Operations (CoO), the Operations Specialist – WAM will perform the following tasks;

• Act as UNMAS Coordination Officer and focal point for any WAM activities, including Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) and ensure effective communication. These activities may be related to DDR and SSR and assistance to the defense and security forces of South Sudan linked to the Benchmark #4 of the SCR 2577 (2021).
• Work closely with and provide support to the UNMAS senior management regarding any WAM related projects. These activities may be related to DDR and SSR and assistance to the defense and security forces of South Sudan linked to the Benchmark #4 of the SCR 2577 (2021).
• If applicable, provide input into developing standard procedural documents related to WAM in support of UNMISS, inclusive of any activities related to providing assistance to the defense and security forces of South Sudan linked to the Benchmark #4 of the SCR 2577 (2021). .
• Provide a source of professional development of personnel’s explosives and weapons safety knowledge.
• Record and track serviceability of UNMAS explosive for supplier redress.
• Where applicable, provide transparency and technical expertise on explosives safety-related matters within UNMISS.
• Where applicable, provide advice to UNMAS to ensure proper storage of explosives following national and international guidelines.
• Stay abreast of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG’s), Modular Small-arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC), International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS), UN Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS) and any other relevant documents.
• When requested, act as the Investigating Officer for detailed independent investigations or Boards of Inquiry for Mine/EO and explosives safety accidents or incidents.
• Advise and support UNMISS in any ammunition related matters related to UNMISS (T/PCC) or (if applicable) Government of South Sudan’s (GoSS) Unified Force or Police units.
• As needed, act as UNMAS Coordination focal point for Mine Action activities for all Agencies and ensure effective communication.
• In coordination with the Chief of Operations (CoO) and Compliance and Coordination team, analyse IMSMA database and develop a realistic, measurable and achievable Annual Operations Work Plan in line with UNMAS-UNMISS annual mandate; constantly review the work plan in line with operational opportunities or limitations and coordinate mid-term revisions.
• Act as a Compliance Officer and focal point for conformity to proposals, statement of requirements, contracts for partners regarding land release and risk awareness processes.
• Support monitoring and reviewing mine action partner’s daily progress reports, External Quality Assurance (EQA) activities, and monthly progress reports.
• Support maintenance of progress trackers, produce Contract Compliance (C3) reports and populating the Contract Management Plan on a monthly basis.
• Ensure that Mine Action Organisation’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in compliance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and South Sudan National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSG); review and recommend updates to implementing agencies’ SOPs and UNMAS Standard Work Practices (SWP).
• Co-chair the NTSG Review Board on an annual basis and coordinating NTSG amendments processes.
• Support the CoO by ensuring the annual UNMAS objectives are achieved through the optimum operational efficiency of all mine action activities.
• Implement capacity building activities for the South Sudan National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) technical operations staff.
• Constantly mentor UNMAS national Operations/QA Assistants and contribute towards their professional development.
• Support to establish and maintain areas for accreditation of all Programme assets.
• As needed, provide oversight of the Quality Management (QM) system used in South Sudan, to ensure that the system is efficiently working and that accreditation, licensing and monitoring do not interrupt or delay demining projects.
• Conduct routine visits to mine clearance sites when needed or as directed by CoO.
• In coordination with the CoO, organize field visits and attend relevant UN meetings.
• Support approval and monitoring of Clearance Plans (CP) of mine action partner’s Implementation Plans (IPs).
• On behalf of UNMAS South Sudan, accept completions of CPs and handover of cleared land.
• Generate weekly operational reports, showcasing the humanitarian impact of UNMAS operations in South Sudan.
• Liaise between the UNMAS Programme Office and Operations Offices in South Sudan as needed.
• Support coordination team in monitoring, analysing, and disseminating security information pertaining to armed conflict, crime, civil unrest and other hazards relevant for operational activities.
• Liaise with other stakeholders and operators involved in Humanitarian Assistance in South Sudan.
• Conduct performance review of UNOPS personnel or third-party OPS/QA officers contracted by the Programme.
• Perform other related duties in support of the CoO.

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:

• An Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience OR
• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience OR
• Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience is required.
• If an applicant lacks both university qualifications and military experience he/she must have at least 11 years of experience with internationally recognized demining organizations.

Certification

• IMAS EOD Level 3+ is required.
• Ammunition Inspector qualification (in line with IATG 01.90, Level 5) or equivalent; or Ammunition Manager qualification or equivalent (in line with IATG 01.90, Level 4) certification is required.
• Any other relevant certifications will be considered additional quality and suitability for the position.

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in operations management, Explosive Ordnance threat analysis and tasking, quality assurance and quality control processes in operations settings.
• Experience in Explosive Ordnance Disposal is required.
• Experience in applying International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is desired.
• Experience in providing capacity-building is desired.
• Experience in conducting security analysis and risk assessments is desired.
• Experience working in DDR and/or SSR settings is desired.
• Experience in logistical ammunition disposal, application of low-order techniques or advanced protective works in South Sudan or similar context is desired.

Language

• Fluency in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN official languages is desired.