Partnerships Officer – Liaison

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.

KOICA Project Information:

UNMAS DRC recently received funding from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to implement a two years project starting in June 2022 in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika with the following objectives:

1. Effectively implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 on sustained peace, justice, strong institutions and effective and inclusive governance through the development of a sustainable national capacity in explosive hazard management.
2. Effectively implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development through increasing the National Mine Action Authority (CCLAM) capacity to coordinate Mine Action activities and therefore encouraging the return of displaced people, opening freedom of movement in a post-conflict society, decreasing fear and threat of the ‘frozen violence’ of landmines and other ERW and Goal 17.

Outcome 1:DRC security sector and/or national NGOs responds appropriately to EOD tasks Output 1.1: National NGO personnel trained to conduct explosive ordnance disposal. Output 1.2: Land is released for productive use. Output 1.3: CCLAM has increased capacity to coordinate Mine Action activities in the DRC.

Functional Responsibilities The Partnerships Officer – Liaison will work under the direct supervision of the KOICA Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Project Manager and under the overall guidance of the Programme Officer. The Partnerships Officer – Liaison will be responsible for the following tasks:

Stakeholder Liaison:

Provide liaison and engagement support between UNMAS and relevant mine action stakeholders based in Kinshasa, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Facilitate both formal and informal communication amongst key partners, such as national mine action authorities and UNMAS partners to achieve the objectives of the Programme.
• Liaise closely with both the UNMAS Programme and National Mine Action authorities.
• Keep national mine action authorities regularly updated, as per the guidance received from the UNMAS KOICA project Manager and Programme Officer.
• Serve as a focal point with national authorities as per the request of UNMAS-DRC’s senior management.
• Support and accompany those in-country missions being undertaken by the UNMAS Programme.
• Develop a contact list of all the partners relevant to the UNMAS operations within the DRC mandate.

Monitoring and reporting:

• Identify and document best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to partnership-building between the UNMAS-DRC Programme and DRC partners, including national authorities.
• Contribute to the preparation of project proposals for new projects and extensions of ongoing projects; Prepare Programme monthly, Quarterly and Annual reports & timely submission.
• Maintain up to date Programme Briefs and Fact Sheets.
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic substantive reports, and ad hoc reports, for implementing partners against donor contributions, projects and activities.
• Maintain accurate tracking system of the donors, their funding contributions and progress against achieving outputs.
• Drafting and processing of grants including; drafting of Call for Proposals, evaluation of proposals, drafting of Grant Support Agreement, monitoring routine reports, completion of grant reports.
• Monitor progress of grants with all mine action partners to ensure contractual conformity.
• Implement and suggest improvements to public Information Activities to enhance UNMAS DRC profile and project visibility as per the work plan and objectives.

Event Planning and Public Information:

• Support in organizing visits of donors and other delegations.
• Support in the planning of Mine Action and project related events.
• Provide programme and project information to donors, partner agencies, non-governmental organizations and contractors and UN agencies.
• Increase visibility of the project to the UN and donor community through communications and advocacy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.