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 over 20 years, UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has provided portfolio and project management services in the area of mine action and explosive hazards, that are reinforced by comprehensive management and oversight controls. 

Under this umbrella, the PSC 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; gender parity and mainstreaming; and diversity and inclusion. 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. 

PSC operates within UNOPS’ broader commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), as set out in the UNOPS DEI Strategy and Accountability Plan 2026-2029. Within the mine action context, these commitments are operationalised through the PSC GEDSI Strategy 2026-2029 which set expectations for inclusive recruitment, workforce representation, and the integration of GESI and PSEAH into programme delivery and implementing partner oversight. All PSC roles, including this position, are expected to contribute actively to these commitments.

The PSC Project Unit operates as an integral part of Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Senior Technical Advisor operates as an integral part of the Peace and Security Cluster structure, reporting to the Head of Operations (HoO).  S/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising and closing all projects in the country in order to support substantive partners in delivering its mandate. Under the HoO supervision, the STA is responsible for ensuring the safe, effective and efficient conduct of operations.

PSC’s partner is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and UNMAS’ representative in-country is the Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP).  While the CMAP is a primary stakeholder, the STA works closely with national authorities, partners, and other UN agencies to develop annual prioritization and tasking plans.  UNOPS PSC and UNMAS have developed a delineation of responsibilities, using a responsibility matrix to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed.  The STA ensures that the mine action programme operates as one integrated team by maintaining internationally recognized drills, SOPs, and safety standards. The STA is responsible for providing operational input to the HoO, HPU and CMAP to ensure that Mine Action organizations funded through the UN work according to contract requirements.

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is the coordinator for Mine Action within the United Nations system, located within the Office of Mine Action and Police (OMAP) at the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). It chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and is the lead of the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR). Mine action comprises five areas of work: clearance, risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction. The United Nations applies mine action expertise to an increasingly wide range of explosive hazards, from unexploded missiles, artillery shells, rockets, grenades and mortars, to unsafe and unsecured weapons and ammunition, improvised explosive devices and cluster bombs. UNMAS leads, coordinates and carries out efforts to mitigate these threats when mandated by the United Nations Security Council or, when requested by the Secretary-General or an affected country, often in response to a humanitarian emergency.

The PSC Project Unit operates as an integral part of Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Senior Technical Advisor operates as an integral part of the Peace and Security Cluster structure, reporting to the Head of Operations (HoO).  S/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising and closing all projects in the country in order to support substantive partners in delivering its mandate. Under the HoO supervision, the STA is responsible for ensuring the safe, effective and efficient conduct of operations.

PSC’s partner is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and UNMAS’ representative in-country is the Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP).  While the CMAP is a primary stakeholder, the STA works closely with national authorities, partners, and other UN agencies to develop annual prioritization and tasking plans.  UNOPS PSC and UNMAS have developed a delineation of responsibilities, using a responsibility matrix to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed.  The STA ensures that the mine action programme operates as one integrated team by maintaining internationally recognized drills, SOPs, and safety standards. The STA is responsible for providing operational input to the HoO, HPU and CMAP to ensure that Mine Action organizations funded through the UN work according to contract requirements.

• Operations – Design and planning 
• Operations - Implementation and monitoring 
• Stakeholder management
• People management
• Knowledge management and innovation

Required

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant or related fields with 9 years of relevant experience OR
• Secondary School with 13 years of relevant experience.

Certifications

• IMAS-equivalent Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 3 qualification is required. 
• IMAS-equivalent Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 3+ (in bulk demolitions, guided weapons, and aerial bombs as described in Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022) is required. 

Desired

• IMAS-equivalent EOD “Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)” Level 3+ (in explosive theory and armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) as described in Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022) is desired.
• IMAS-equivalent Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) Level 2 is desired.

Notes: 

• Qualifications must be from organizations that train and educate technical specialists in accordance with IMAS or IATG standards.
• Individuals are responsible for providing proof of certification, and, if applicable, a brief justification of how their national/military certification meets international equivalency.

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as operations experience in a military, humanitarian, post-conflict, or development context,
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive operational experience (within the past 10 years ) in explosive hazard management or mine action in humanitarian, post-conflict, or high-threat environments (e.g., IED-dominant, urban rubble) is required,
• Proven track record managing complex clearance operations, including at least 3 of:

• 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’ experience (within the past 10 years) leading multicultural teams in field operations, including QA/QC oversight, incident investigations, and corrective actions (IMAS 07.12) is required,
• Experience applying one of the following standards is required: 

                 - International Mine Action Standards (IMAS);

                 - International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG);

• Demonstrated experience designing/implementing quality management systems, risk registers, and using modern information management systems (such as IMSMA Core and fundamental GIS/spatial data platforms) to drive operational decision-making is required,
• Experience with national authorities for NTSG/IMAS adaptation and accreditation processes (IMAS 01.10) is required,
• Experience using information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.

Desired:

• Experience applying the following standards is desired,  

• Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC);

• Experience with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in survey operations is desired,
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired,
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Due to the underrepresentation of women and people from the global south in senior and technical roles in mine action, UNOPS PSC strongly encourages applications from qualified women, candidates from the Global South, national staff, persons with disabilities, and individuals from conflict-affected or fragile contexts. Candidates who do not meet 100% of the desired criteria but possess strong foundational skills and a commitment to the UN's core values are encouraged to apply.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (read, write, and speak) is required.
• Fluency in another official UN language 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.