Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Associate at The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Associate

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job categories: Demining
Department / Office: NYSC, Peace and Security Cluster
Contract Type: Local ICA Support
Contract level: LICA-6
Duration: Open-ended

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 UNMAS:

• United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards.
• Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

Background Information - Job-Specific
UNMAS Nigeria:

• UNMAS has been present in Northeast Nigeria since 2018. In Nigeria, UNMAS participates in the UN Country Team, is an active member of the Protection Cluster, and the coordinator of the Mine Action Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster, leading coordination efforts with the national and state authorities, UN organizations, and international and local NGOs
• In response to the crisis, the UNMAS Nigeria Programme takes a strategic, multi-year comprehensive approach for protection of civilians and humanitarian actors through humanitarian mine action in northeast Nigeria, supported by multi-donor contributions
• This approach encompasses a range of responses, including Explosive Ordnance Risk Education with embedded COVID-19 safety messages for refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and communities, Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) training and emergency medical response training for the Nigerian police and security forces, Non-Technical Survey (NTS), Information Management (IM) to record and map explosive hazards, Victim Assistance (VA), and advocacy and support for compliance with the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), with coordination as a key cross-cutting enabling factor.

Functional Responsibilities
The Risk Education (RE) Associate will work under the overall supervision of the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education Specialist:

The Duties and Responsibilities are as follows:

• Assist in planning and design of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and Victim Assistance (VA) activities
• Assist in liaising with concerned partners and authorities (including military and security officials) for EORE and VA coordination and monitoring
• Plan and conduct interviews with relevant informants
• Participate in the organization and provision of Training of Trainers on EORE and on Non-Technical Survey (NTS) for national authorities, teachers, community volunteers, humanitarian workers, and representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
• Assist in the accreditation of trained actors
• Participate in the mapping of existing EORE capacity, activities, and materials, identifying gaps and opportunities
• Assist in quality control on EORE Curriculum and Information Education and Communication (IEC) related materials in cooperation with contractors and partners
• Liaise and organize meetings in affected communities with landowners, land users, affected communities, and other stakeholders
• Receive reports from implementing partners and record information to assist UNMAS Information Management Unit to maintain records of data and progress of work, and produce reports when required
• Train UNMAS Implementing Partners in using IMSMA accident / victim / assistance reports to identify victims’ needs and to monitor assistance provided by Humanitarian Mine Action (orientation, referral)
• Participate in Monitoring and Evaluation and Quality Assurance of risk education activities and victim assistance conducted by implementing partners, including field visits to targeted areas
• Produce reports and provide on-the-job training to partners as required
• Liaise and organize meetings with national and local authorities, including military and security officials
• Assist the coordination with UNMAS Implementing Partners (IPs) and participate in meetings of the Protection sector and Mine Action Sub-Working Group (MA SWG).  As required, participate in Health, MHPSS, and Early Recovery & Livelihoods coordination meetings
• Assist in other related duties as requested by the supervisor or senior management. 

Education / Experience / Language Requirements
Education:

• High school diploma with 6 years of relevant experience
• A First-level University degree (Bachelors or equivalent) with 2 of relevant experience.

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience supporting awareness and education campaigns
• Experience in community-based education and public information campaigns and communications is desired
• Knowledge of the UN system and UNOPS procedures is desired
• Experience in Non-Technical Survey with a recognized organization is an asset.
• Experience in EORE and VA with a recognized organization is desired
• Experience in training and meeting facilitation is highly desired

Language:

• Fluency in English (writing, speaking and reading) is required
• Fluency in Hausa or Kanuri  (writing, speaking and reading) is required.

Competencies:

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role)
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries

Contract Type, Level and Duration:

• Contract type: ICA
• Contract level: LICA-6
• Contract duration: open-ended

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits / interns

Application Deadline  20th June, 2021.