Operations – Senior Officer (Quality Assurance) Full Time NEW

Operations – Senior Officer (Quality Assurance)

Job categories: Project Management, Demining

Vacancy code: VA/2025/B5019/30622

Department/office: GPO, NYPO, PSC, Sudan Project Unit

Duty station: Multiple, Sudan

Contract type: Local ICA Specialist

Contract level: LICA Specialist-9

**Duration:**12

Application period 28-Aug-2025 to 27-Sep-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

1. General Background

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background Information – Peace and Security Cluster (PSC)

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has served as a key implementation platform supporting the work of its largest partner, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Through a strategic partnership, PSC delivers interlinked portfolio, programme, and project management services, reinforced by robust oversight and risk management controls tailored to operations in complex and high-risk environments.

Operating under the leadership of the Cluster Director – who holds overall authority and accountability for PSC’s performance on behalf of its clients – the Cluster provides day-to-day management of UNMAS field programmes. This includes comprehensive support across human resources, procurement, contract management, planning, implementation and financial oversight, ensuring full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations and donor requirements.

PSC’s service delivery is complemented by cross-cutting initiatives, including knowledge and information management, gender equality, diversity and inclusion and quality assurance. The Cluster enables agile deployment and operational flexibility, allowing field programmes to respond swiftly to shifting needs in dynamic operational contexts. It also plays an essential role in donor reporting and visibility, ensuring that funding is used transparently and effectively.

Background Information – UNMAS

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). UNMAS leads operational responses, coordinates mine action across the UN system, and contributes to global standards and policy development. UNMAS supports the UN’s vision of “a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.”

Operating under mandates from both the UN General Assembly and Security Council, UNMAS functions as a specialized service within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO).. UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates.

UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of IEDs and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. UNMAS chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and leads the Mine Action Area of Responsibility under the Global Protection Cluster. It also chairs the IMAS Review Board and leads the UN Coordinating Task Force on IEDs, supporting the Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda.

Background Information – UNMAS Sudan (Job Specific)

The UNMAS Sudan Programme, based in Port Sudan, works in close coordination with the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), the UN Country Team and humanitarian partners. The project aims to protect civilians from the threat of explosive ordnance (EO) and strengthen the resilience of conflict-affected communities through a comprehensive, gender-mainstreamed and conflict-sensitive mine action response. It also supports broader humanitarian, early recovery and stabilization efforts by enabling safe access to areas contaminated by EO.

UNMAS Sudan’s key activities include land release operations; delivery of both direct and indirect Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), tailored to different gender and age groups; and provision of technical advice to humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) actors to help them safely operate in EO-affected environments. The project also leads the coordination of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) in Sudan, co-chairing the sector under the Global Protection Cluster framework. Through this role, UNMAS ensures that mine action is effectively integrated into humanitarian coordination mechanisms and that EO threats are adequately understood and addressed at all levels.

In addition, the project plans to strengthen its engagement in Victim Assistance (VA), particularly in support of EO survivors – an area that has seen limited attention since the onset of the current conflict. This includes efforts to reactivate the VA pillar within the MA AoR and improve coordination, referral pathways and advocacy for services and support to victims.

While the Programme’s current operational footprint is primarily focused on areas under the control of the Sudan Government – especially urban areas in Khartoum and Al Jazirah – UNMAS Sudan aspires to expand its outreach to all EO-affected regions, addressing both legacy contamination and new threats emerging from the ongoing conflict.

2. Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNMAS Operation/ Quality Assurance Officer/Coordination & Compliance Officer, the Operations – Senior Officer (Quality Assurance) will be responsible the following main duties:

A. Coordination & Representation:

• Plan and coordinate UNMAS’s participation in field monitoring and Quality Assurance (QA) missions as per project and program plans.
• Support coordination amongst Explosive Hazard sub-cluster members and represent UNMAS in Protection and Sub-national Clusters to actively engage stakeholders and improve Humanitarian Mine Action response in post-conflict areas.

B. Reporting & Analysis:

• Review Daily Progress Reports and related reporting products to identify trends and issues, and provide recommendations and solutions to management.
• Conduct analysis of project reports, investigations and preparation of recommended adjustments as required.
• Help draft regular progress reports on the operations advisor allocated tasks.

C. Operational Support & Coordination:

• Support general operational Mine Action related activities in future established sub-offices, carried out by Humanitarian mine action partners.
• Provide support with the overseeing and coordination of the implementation, execution, and completion of all UNMAS related Mine Action operations in coordination with the CCO.

D. External Stakeholder Engagement & Support:

• Support liaison with external stakeholders including national mine action authorities.
• Support Victim Assistance initiatives including coordination meetings, training of staff and data collection efforts.
• Provide support to other UN agencies across Sudan through desk assessments, physical EOD assessments (if SQEP) and needs assessments of HCT/ICCG hubs as required.
• Support joint assessment missions conducted by UN agencies and humanitarian partners by planning and coordinating explosive ordnance (EO) contamination assessments, facilitating prioritization, and providing recommendations and follow-up guidance.
• Provide support to the Mine Action Advisory Team by assisting with delivery of training and development of materials.
• Assist in the capacity building of national NGOs at regional level, including efforts to improve national mine action centre.
• Supervise team activities to support the timely and accurate output delivery.
• Support Coordination and Compliance Officer (CCO) in managing the national Operations/QA team.

E. Project & Systems Management:

• Assist in development and maintenance of tracking system to assist the operation advisor in following up on project pending issues.
• Follow up on project action points to ensure deadlines are met, address delays and bring to the attention of the operation advisor.
• Provide support in conducting formal investigations of mine action incidents/accidents.

F. Administrative & Logistical Support:

• Assist with the setting up for internal and external UNMAS meetings and preparation of related briefing materials and recording of meeting minutes.
• Translate documents when requested from Arabic to English and vice versa, in line with United Nations Standards and of various types of documents covering a broad range of subject matters dealt with by UNMAS.

3. Competencies

Strategic Perspective – Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Integrity & Inclusion – Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading Self and Others – Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnering – Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role)

Result Orientation – Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility – Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused – Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective Communication – Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

4. Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent); with two (2) years of relevant experience is required
• First-level University Degree (Bachelor or equivalent); with four (4) years of relevant experience, is required or;
• High School Diploma, or military/police college or junior command and staff course combined with eight (8) years of relevant experience is required

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in Humanitarian Mine Action related operations management, operations support or project management.
• Two years of experience in preparing project plans, schedules or coordination of events is required.
• Two years in report writing is required.
• Computer literacy, with experience of using Google Suite is required.
• Experience in supporting operations in humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, Non-profit Organisations (NGOs) or development contexts is desired.
• EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) qualified – Level 2 or 3 is desired.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing and reading) is required.
• Fluency in Arabic (speaking, writing and reading) is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

Additional Consideration

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: ICS-9 (LICA-9)
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Tagged as: Sudan, UNOPS