Operations Specialist – Quality Assurance (Ops/QA Officer) At UNOPS

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 a presence in the DRC in 2002 to assist MONUSCO and GoDRC with explosive hazard management activities. In compliance with Security Council Resolutions 2098 (2013), 2463 (2019) and more recently 2502 (2019), UNMAS DRC runs two main projects in the DRC, one in support of MONUSCO and another one in support of the GoDRC and the UN Country Team (UNCT).

UNMAS DRC supports MONUSCO in the achievement of its mandated objectives under the strategic component: (1) Protection of Civilians (PoC) and Human Rights. UNMAS DRC does so through explosive hazard management, including survey, clearance and disposal of explosive hazards, including unsafe ammunition stockpile of FARDC and Congolese national police, assessment and destruction of unserviceable, obsolete or surplus ammunition from Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) and assessment and destruction of weapons and ammunition surrendered during the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement process, supporting national efforts to address the threat posed by the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of SALW in the DRC; provision of awareness sessions to UN personnel; as well as through the provision of technical support and advice on weapons and ammunition stockpile management both to the GoDRC and relevant MONUSCO sections. UNMAS DRC also stands ready to support any other requests from the Mission, wherever possible, for example, the assessment and clearance of Mission premises on closure, prior to returning to civilian use. These activities are in line with the UNMAS Strategic Objective 2 and 4 of the UNMAS Multi-Year Strategic Plan and contributes to UNMAS vision for the DRC: “ a country free from the threat of mines, explosive hazards, and armed violence, where communities live in a safe and secure environment, and where national security institutions and authorities have the capacity to address the residual explosive threat and adequately store and manage their weapons, ammunitions and stockpiles.”

UNMAS Objectives

In accordance with MONUSCO mandate and strategic objectives, UNMAS aims to develop National capacities to improve the security of Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) and ammunition of the National Defence and Security Forces. The project focuses on equipping and training the National Forces and Police for a better physical security and management processes of weapons and ammunition of stated owned stockpiles. In addition, the program plans to establish an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat Mitigation capacity in DRC, with the objective of ensuring effective prioritization of tasks, utilization of resources, and encouraging common messaging by all UN, governmental, non-governmental and commercial implementers engaged in related activities countrywide.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Operation, the Operations Specialist – Quality Assurance (Ops/QA Officer) will do the following tasks:

Operations – Design and planning

• Support the Head of Operations in providing input to the HPU on programme and project design documents from an operational and technical standpoint, such as:
  • Workplan (e.g. nature of threat; technical personnel and equipment requirements, etc.)
  • Concept of Operations
  • Input into the documents above is from the operational and technical aspects encompassing mine action pillars (e.g. clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction)
• 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 include:
  • UNMAS / UNOPS Project Agreements
  • Solicitation documents used to contract third-parties (i.e. contractors and grantees)
  • Human resources plan

Operations – Implementation and monitoring

• Work with responsible experts to ensure operations are conducted in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards, such as: Financial and procurement rules, Contract and grant management policies, Project management standards, Health, safety, social and environmental standards, Gender parity and mainstreaming policies, Information management systems and standards and Organizational design standards and human resources policies;
• Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with mine action technical standards, such as: International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and corresponding National Technical Specifications and Guidelines (NTSGs);
• Oversee, coordinate, and monitor mine action operations and performance (both operations conducted in-house and those conducted through third-party contractors and grantees), This includes the following:
  • 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).
  • Review all performance reports and populate internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms (i.e. grant and contract management plans) to inform the monthly payment process.
  • Implement the program quality management and information management system.
• Advise the Head of Operations on potential technical and operational issues that may impact the achievement of programme / project outcomes and appropriate solutions;
• Participate in Boards of Inquiry as relevant;
• Ensure operational plans are effective and reviewed regularly;

Stakeholder management

• In support of the HPU, manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct UNOPS 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, specifically relating to review/implementation of National Technical Standards and Guidelines and/or International Mine Action Standards and other relevant international standards as well as treaty implementation/obligations;

People management

• 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;

Knowledge management and innovation

• Ensure records of operations-related files are well maintained;
• Effectively manage efficient and effective operations in his AOR;
• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance operational results.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance by the Operations Officer directly impacts the achievement of UNOPS project deliverables and UNMAS programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNMAS programme.