Senior Technical Advisor

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) and New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manage global initiatives supporting sustainable development. The Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) focuses on mine action and explosive hazards. This Senior Technical Advisor role is integral to the PSC Project Unit, reporting to the Head of Operations. The position is responsible for the full project lifecycle in-country, ensuring safe and efficient mine action operations in partnership with UNMAS.

Job Purpose

The Senior Technical Advisor is responsible for the comprehensive planning, implementation, monitoring, supervision, and closure of all mine action projects within the country. This critical role ensures the safe, effective, and efficient conduct of operations, directly supporting substantive partners, particularly the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), in fulfilling their mandate. The advisor provides essential operational and technical input to the Head of Operations and other key stakeholders, collaborating with national authorities and UN agencies to develop annual prioritization and tasking plans. By maintaining internationally recognized drills, Standard Operating Procedures, and safety standards, the position ensures the mine action program operates as an integrated team. This role significantly contributes to explosive threat management, peacebuilding, and sustainable development goals by mitigating risks from explosive hazards and ensuring that mine action organizations adhere to contractual requirements and international best practices.

Responsibilities

The Senior Technical Advisor supports the Head of Operations in designing and planning programmes and projects from an operational and technical standpoint, including strategies, workplans, and concept of operations, ensuring viable timelines and appropriate resources. The role involves implementing and monitoring operations in accordance with UNOPS policies (financial, procurement, project management, HSSE, DEI, GESI, PSEAH) and mine action technical standards (IMAS, IATG, MOSAIC). This includes overseeing third-party contracts, managing quality and information systems, and maintaining a risk management system. The advisor manages relationships with UNOPS stakeholders and national authorities, representing the Head of Operations in technical fora and promoting inclusive engagement. Key people management duties include supporting recruitment, training, guiding, and mentoring the operations team, fostering an inclusive work environment, and upholding PSEAH standards. Additionally, the role ensures effective knowledge management by maintaining records, implementing tools, incorporating best practices, and leading lessons learned exercises.

Work Experience

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 is required. This includes a proven track record managing complex clearance operations such as Humanitarian Mine Action, Mechanical Mine Clearance, IED Threat Mitigation, Physical Security/Stockpile Management, or Stockpile Destruction. A minimum of 3 years’ experience (within the past 10 years) leading multicultural field teams, including QA/QC oversight and incident investigations, is also required. Experience applying IMAS or IATG standards, designing/implementing quality management systems, risk registers, and using information management systems like IMSMA is essential, along with experience with national authorities for NTSG/IMAS adaptation.

Skills

Field Operations, Knowledge Management, Project Management, Quality Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership, Technical Standards (IMAS, IATG, MOSAIC), Information Management Systems (IMSMA, GIS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD), Operational Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

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