UNOPS

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

For  25 years, UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has provided portfolio, programme and project management services in the area of mine action and explosive threat management, that are reinforced by comprehensive management and oversight controls. 

Under this umbrella, the Cluster is responsible for the implementation of projects that, through the engagement of inputs such as personnel, third parties, assets and other resources, deliver activities that produce substantive mine action outputs. 

Project management is conducted in line with UNOPS Project Management Manual (PMM), which incorporates best practices in the field, as well with a view to quality and cross-cutting initiatives such as workforce and talent management; knowledge and information management; health, safety, social and environmental management (including compliance with IMAS 07.13 and UNOPS climate-resilience goals); diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); gender equality and social inclusion (GESI); and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH).. This comprehensive delivery platform is implemented in accordance with partner requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations through the leadership of the Cluster Director, who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients. 

The Global Technical Advisor (GTA)  reports to the Operations Advisor - Ammunition and Weapon Management. The GTA strives to ensure that PSC’s operations are not only compliant with International Mine Action Standards and other relevant global frameworks, but that PSC is also striving to be at the forefront of operational best practices, championing innovation, and operational support, creating a highly effective and impactful role within PSC. In fulfilling this role, the GTA is expected to champion the integration of DEI, GESI and PSEAH standards into workplace culture, operational design, implementation, and partner oversight, consistent with UNOPS corporate commitments, the PSC GEDSI Strategy 2026-2029, and other standards that operationalize the same.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience; OR
• First Level University Degree (bachelor's degree) with 9 years of relevant experience; OR 
• Secondary school with 13 years of relevant experience.

Required Certifications

• EOD Level 3+ qualification (in any specialist EOD activities as described in Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022 e.g., Bulk demolitions, guided weapons, aerial bombs etc.) is required.

(EOD qualifications must be from organisations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.)

Relevant experience is defined as operations experience in a military, law enforcement, humanitarian, post-conflict, or development context.

• A minimum of 5 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in explosive threat management is required, in particular, experience managing at least 3of the following activities:
  • Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA)/ Explosive Threat Management, including demining, improvised mines, underwater, battle area clearance (BAC), and EOD in operational settings (IMAS 09.10 and T&EP 09.30);
  • HMA-specific Mechanical Mine Clearance, including Mechanical clearance, Mechanical Ground Preparation, Mechanical-assisted clearance, Rubble removal and clearance operations;
  • IED Threat Mitigation, including IEDD and High Risk Search in operational settings (IMAS T&EP 09.30);
  • Physical security/stockpile management (PSSM) or weapons/ammunition management (WAM) per IATG and MOSAIC standards;
  • Stockpile destruction or Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) weapons disposal.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience (within the past 10 years) managing people is required. 

(Experience providing technical mentorship, advisory support, or informal leadership to field teams will be considered where formal line management structures were not in place.)

• Experience applying the following standards is required:
  • International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)
  • International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
  • IMAS Level 3+ IEDD Advanced (T&P 09.31/01/2019)
• Experience applying the following standards is desired:
  • Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) 
• Experience using information management systems such as the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.
• Experience applying environmental management standards (specifically IMAS 07.13) and implementing carbon-footprint reduction or climate adaptation initiatives in humanitarian or post-conflict field operations is desired.
• Experience integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and PSEAH/safeguarding standards into operational programme design, quality assurance systems, or implementing partner oversight is desired.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.