Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expert (ICS-11) IICA-3

Job Description

Vacancy code VA/2015/B5001/7161

Position title: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expert

Level: ICS-11

Department/office GPSO, Peace and Security

Duty station Gaza, Palestine (State of)

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-3

Duration 6 months initially (extension subject performance and funds availability)

Application period 23-Mar-2015 to 31-Mar-2015

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS 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. Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations. We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

Background Information - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Expert will be the main operational and technical focal point in relation to all EOD activities in Gaza; specifically responsible for the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the principle EOD Technical Advisor to UNRWA regarding the safe management of all ammunition and weapon related activities in Gaza
• Continual assessment of the ERW risk and oversight of applicable mitigation measures for all operational components; to identify the changing ERW Risk profile as the project transitions through the operational phases.
• Act as liaison at the technical level with Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) CLA thereby ensuring that all required technical information is provided in a timely manner.
• Act as liaison with the Gaza Civil Protection EOD Teams thereby ensuring that the defined areas of responsibility are maintained.
• Manage the operational tasking process for all UNMAS Gaza operational staff including risk assessments, EOD clearance and EOD support to reconstruction activities.
• Manage the UNMAS Gaza Operational EOD Work-Plan ensuring that all requested activities are included and that tasks are conducted by priority.QM through the monitoring and evaluating of UNMAS Gaza operational staff through field inspections and completed task reports to measure progress against operational activities and work plans.
• Advise the Programme Manager on any operational non-compliance performed by UNMAS Gaza operational staff and any recommended remedial action.
• Act as the lead EOD Operator in the rendering safe of air delivered ordnance.Act as the lead EOD Operator for any high threat Emergency EOD tasks, to include IED type tasks.
• Provide technical oversight for the daily management of the UNMAS Central Demolition Site. Provide technical oversight for the daily management of the UNMAS Explosive Storage Facility and the serviceable ammunition transfer process with COGAT CLA.
• Provide the technical oversight to the drafting of Requests for Quote (RFQ) and Standard Working Procedures (SWP).
• Manage the SWP documentation libraray ensuring that all operational task types are covered. Ensure total adherence to IMAS and IATGS for all conducted EOD activities conducted.
• Act as the technical lead in any EOD related Board of Inquiry.
• Any other activity as directed by the Programme Manager.

Competencies

Communication Skills – Strong spoken and written communication skills. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

Teamwork Skills – Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda.

Planning & Organizing – Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Accountability – Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

Client Orientation – Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of military or police experience, or a First Level Bachelors Degree with a minimum of 9 years of military or police experience, or Military or relevant Police Experience at the Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer Level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience.
• Fluency in English required and knowledge of Arabic an asset.
• Demonstrated capabilities at EOD Level 3 with proven track record of disposing of air dropped bombs, including manual neutralization of aerial bomb fuzes is required.
• Specific experience in the neutralisation of NATO air-delivered bombs are required
• Specific qualifications and experience in the neutralisation of IED’ are required.
• Practical experience of EOD in conflict/post conflict environments is required.
• Previous military EOD experience desirable.
• Understanding of UN mine action programmes, policies, and coordination mechanisms desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type:International Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: IICA 3 Contract duration: 6 months initially (extension subject performance and funds availability) 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

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions 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.
• To apply for this vacancy follow the link below: https://gprs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=7161

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.

About the Organization

About us

UNOPS 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 more than 80 countries, UNOPS supports partners in the implementation of approximately 1,000 projects, which range from managing the construction of roads in South Sudan to building shelters in Haiti to procuring educational computers in Argentina.UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects it supports.

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Cluster is to rapidly deploy project personnel to the field. To accomplish this, it has established a Pool of Experts, from which it deploys and re-deploys personnel in order to fulfil personnel vacancies. A Pool of Experts is a roster of specialists whose technical knowledge and personal suitability has been evaluated and approved in advance, allowing them to be deployed on short notice and in short order. Pool members can be deployed on any of UNOPS contract modalities: FTA, TA, or I-ICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement).

Working with UNOPS

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We’re looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in many disciplines, from project management, to procurement, infrastructure, finance and human resources. The work we do is fulfilling and offers opportunities for professional and personal development.

Watch this video to learn more about working with UNOPS

Diversity

With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce as a means of better understanding and addressing the needs of our partners, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates. Moreover, the vast majority of our personnel are nationals, working in their own country and developing local capacity.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options, such as flexi-time, compressed work schedules and telecommuting. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types across the globe.