Chief of Section, Programme Management

Organizational Context

This position is within the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat Mitigation Advisory Team (TMAT) of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), part of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), based in Nairobi. UNMAS, established in 1997, works to eliminate threats from mines and explosive devices by coordinating UN mine action and leading operational responses. The role reports to the UNMAS Director in New York.

Job Purpose

The Chief of Section (TMAT) is responsible for providing policy guidance and support on IED and Explosive Ordnance (EO) threat mitigation, including strategy development and implementation. This role leads, plans, and oversees all advisory, training, and capacity development activities undertaken by the Section, ensuring adherence to international standards and UN policy. The Chief manages the Section's work program, coordinates activities, and conducts substantive reviews. They engage with Member States to build partnerships and ensure effective technical support, and with donors to secure funding, track expenditures, and report accurately. The position also involves preparing substantive inputs for intergovernmental bodies and contributing to performance reports, ensuring high-quality outputs from the Section.

Responsibilities

The Chief of Section provides policy guidance on IED and EO threat mitigation, including strategy development and implementation. They lead, plan, and oversee advisory, training, and capacity development activities, ensuring timely execution and adherence to international standards and UN doctrine. The role involves managing and supervising the Section's work program, coordinating efforts, and reviewing drafts. The Chief engages with Member States to foster partnerships and ensure effective technical support, and with donors for fundraising, expenditure tracking, and reporting. They contribute substantive input for intergovernmental bodies and performance reports, ensuring high-quality outputs. Administrative tasks include budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff evaluation. The Chief also recruits staff, considering diversity, and manages, guides, and develops their team, fostering collaboration. They represent the organization at relevant meetings and provide expertise on explosive threats.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in programme administration or management is required. This includes at least seven years of experience in Post-Blast Investigations (PBI), covering forensic evidence collection, material exploitation, and intelligence generation. Two years of experience within a UN peace operation or similar international organization is also required. Desirable experience includes drafting policy/doctrine related to IED threat mitigation, working with national authorities on ammunition/explosives management, and resource mobilization.

Skills

Professionalism, Accountability, Technological Awareness, Leadership, Vision, Policy Guidance, Strategy Development, Programme Management, Quality Assurance, Partnership Building, Donor Engagement, Reporting, Budget Management, Staff Supervision, Teamwork, Communication, Representation, Expertise in IED Threat Mitigation and Ammunition Management.

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