Vacancy Details
Vacancy Code 2006/GLO/RAF/02
Post Title Liaison Officer
Post Level L/2 -P/2 (ALD equivalent)
Project Mine Action in Support of UNMEE
Org. Unit GLO Division
Start Date 15 July 2006
Duty Station Asmara, Eritrea with weekly travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Closing Date 28 June 2006
Project Background
The landmine/UXO threat in Eritrea can be traced to three distinct periods in Eritrea?s history: The Second World War; Eritrea?s struggle for independence between 1961 and 1991 and from the recent Eritrean-Ethiopian border conflict during 1998 to 2000. The United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (MACC) was established in August 2000 within the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) under the Security Council Resolution 1320 that authorized the establishment of UN peace keeping mission in the region (UNMEE), to coordinate, record and process information related to landmines and UXOs and to support mine action activities with specific reference to the TSZ and adjacent areas. The UNMEE MACC consists of Operations, Information (Information Management System for Mine Action ? IMSMA), Mine Risk Education, Medical Coordination, Training and Administration/Finance/Logistics sections. In response to the abrupt change in Eritrea?s government policy regarding mine action in mid-2002, the UNMEE MACC re-defined its mission and restructured all mine action elements within the UNMEE MACC and UNMEE (including all resources under command of the UNMEE Peacekeeping Force, PKF, the Military Observer Headquarters, UNMO, and the MACC) to establish an integrated civilian and military mine action headquarters within UNMEE ? the Force Mine Action Centre (FMAC). With the formation of the integrated mine action structure, the Joint Mine Action Coordination Center, the MACC/FMAC, has been able to put into effect a consistent and well-coordinated UNMEE mine action response in the mission area
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the authority of the UNMEE MACC Chief of Operations, the primary responsibility of the Liaison Officer (LO) is the development and maintenance of the interface between MACC Addis Ababa office and the MACC HQ in Asmara. Relevant governmental institutions, UN agencies and units, diplomatic missions and other organizations in Ethiopia, particularly in Addis Ababa, require regular interface, coordination of mine action activities, exchange of information, and assistance from UNMEE MACC. Of particular importance is the liaison with Ethiopian authorities concerning UNMEE MACC support to the demarcation of the new Boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The /Regional Liaison Officer will report to the Chief of Operations (CO) and is functionally responsible for the following activities: ? The LO will act as a section head and maintain contact on a daily basis with the Chief of Operations and keep him informed on activities pertaining to UNMEE mine action and developments in the mine action programmes within the mission area. He/she will also maintain contact on a daily basis with the Ethiopian Eritrean Boundary Commission (EEBC) Field office in Addis Ababa and keep it informed about the situation concerning the demining support project for demarcation. The LO may be required to attend both the military and political morning and evening meetings at the UNMEE Liaison Office. He/She will provide timely feedback to UNMEE MACC CO on issues of interest and on matters arising from these meetings ? The LO will provide the UNMEE MACC CO with a weekly, written report of continuous and accurate information on the political, military and security situation in Ethiopia, particularly on issues regarding mine action capacities, initiatives and ongoing operations and developments. The report shall include a component concerning the demining support project for demarcation, which also shall be submitted to the POBC. ? The LO will assist in the establishment of reliable mechanisms for ensuring that landmine and UXO related information are processed through the appropriate channels and eventually received by the UNMEE MACC IMSMA database. These would include accident and incident reports, minefield records, and field operations information. ? The LO, in cooperation with the MALO, will act as the focal point within the UNMEE Liaison Office in Ethiopia for issues associated with the implementation of the UNMEE MACC operational mine action programme in the TSZ and adjacent areas. In this capacity and in close co-operation with the UNMEE Liaison Office, EDP, Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO) and the UNDP Advisor Team, the LO will be responsible for matters pertaining to the support required by UNMEE MACC or UNMEE Forces. ? The LO will be responsible for liaison between the UNMEE MACC and Mine Action institutions and organizations in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the FMAC MALO will be the focal point within the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa for issues associated with UNMEE mine action activities and UNMEE MACC?s funding situation. The LO will be responsible for the liaison between UNMEE MACC and EDP/EMAO (including MOND and UNDP Adviser Team) regarding coordination of Ethiopian mine action activities in adjacent areas to the TSZ. ? The LO will assist the EDP/EMAO, UNDP Advisor Team and other humanitarian mine action partners by facilitating communication and coordination with UNMEE MACC. ? The FMAC MALO will assist in monitoring mine clearance organizations working in adjacent areas south of the TSZ when instructed by UNMEE MACC. This will necessitate visiting the appropriate personnel in these locations on an as required basis. During these liaison visits, the FMAC MALO will liaise with the appropriate military and civilian staff within UNMEE, Ethiopian Military forces, EDP/EMAO mine action units and other mine action units in the adjacent areas. ? In coordination with the UNMEE MACC CO, the LO will conduct regular liaison with the EEBC field officers in Addis and collate information related to this project for passing to MACC HQ in Asmara. ? The LO will visit UNMEE MACC HQ in Asmara at least once per month and will carry out other tasks as assigned by the UNMEE MACC CO. ? The LO , in cooperation with the MALO, shall have regular meetings, 2 times/month, with the Ethiopian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting the LO shall pass on information concerning planned and ongoing demining activities in general (MoD) and support for demarcation (MoFA). ? The LO shall meet with UNMEE MACC PODD 1 ? 2 times/month. Meetings can be held either in Addis Ababa, Asmara or in the field. The FMAC MALO shall participate in field work concerning de-mining and reconnaissance on a regular basis (once a month) on an ?as required? basis.
Academic Qualifications/Experience/Language
? A sound technical background in humanitarian demining. ? A sound background and experience in operational management ? Fluent English language, with excellent writing and communication skills, including computer literacy ? Experience in a multi-national working environment and international work ? Self reliant and able to work independently
Submission of Applications
Interested individuals should e-mail a detailed CV (including birth date and nationality) to the address below and should include the exact vacancy number of the post they apply for in the ?Subject? of their e-mail. E-mail address is: Interested applicants must fulfill the specified qualifications. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Deadline for submission of applications is 28 June 2006. For more information about UN?s involvement in Mine Action, visit our website at: and
Additional Considerations
- 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. - Candidates should be available at short notice.
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