Martime Cargo Clearance Specialist

Job Description

According to UN OCHA, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains the worst in the world. Nearly five years of conflict and severe economic decline are driving the country to the brink of famine and exacerbating needs in all sectors. An estimated 80 per cent of the population – 24 million people – require some form of humanitarian or protection assistance, including 14.3 million who are in acute need. Severity of needs is deepening, with the number of people in acute need a staggering 27 per cent higher than last year. Two-thirds of all districts in the country are already pre-famine, and one-third face a convergence of multiple acute vulnerabilities.[1]

In order to address the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, the restoration of regular commercial cargo flows into the country is essential. UN Security Council resolution 2216 (2015) decided that “Member States shall take necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned”.[2] In order to facilitate the unimpeded flow of essential commercial items to Yemen, the UN has been requested by the Government of Yemen to provide a monitoring and inspection service to inspect commercial cargo entering Yemen’s territorial waters in compliance with UNSCR 2216 (2015).

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was requested to operationalise and manage a mechanism to oversee the monitoring and inspection services on behalf of the UN and the concerned Member States. UNVIM is an independent mechanism, executed by UNOPS and reporting to OCHA.

The United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) was established in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti, in January 2016. As of November 2019, UNVIM has issued clearances to more than 1,100 vessels discharging over 21.1 million metric tonnes of commercial cargo to Yemen’s Red Sea ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Isa.

[1] UN OCHA https://www.unocha.org/yemen/about-ocha-yemen

[2] UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), https://www.undocs.org/S/RES/2216%20(2015)

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A: In accordance with the UNVIM guidelines, the incumbent will lead the document verification process (desk review) of the clearance requests submitted to UNVIM in order to facilitate the provision of a certificate of clearance for legitimate commercial imports and humanitarian cargo destined to the Yemen Red Sea Ports while ensuring compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015).

1. Creates a case file on the internal database for all received clearance requests.
2. Ensures the verification process of the clearance requests is conducted in a timely and efficient manner.
3. Assesses, analyses and investigates the clearance requests and request for supporting documents where necessary.
4. Conducts internal discussions and consultations with Coordination Officers, Monitors, Inspectors and other UNVIM staff to obtain a consensus on requests and resolves any discrepancies before the request is cleared for further processing.
5. Ensures the cargo does not contain any prohibited items as per UNSCR 2216 (2015) and as declared by the requesting entity.
6. Categorises the cargo list into Food, humanitarian cargo and suspected cargo if required.

B: In accordance with the UNVIM guidelines, represents UNVIM and externally during the monitoring, screening, inspection, seizure and disposal processes of containerized, bulk or break bulk cargo destined to Yemen’s Red Sea Ports in international waters or trans-shipment ports.

1. Works with importers, traders and port authorities to process container screening and that inspections are compliant with the UN and Government of Yemen guidelines.
2. Monitors the screening and inspection process of suspected items in trans-shipment ports as outlined in UNSCR 2216(2015).
3. Ensures that the relevant sections of the inspection and verification system’s database are populated properly
4. Prepares monitoring and inspection reports as per the reporting templates and provide them to the Coordination Officers for onward perusal.

C: In accordance with the UNVIM guidelines, oversees primary and secondary inspections of vessels and cargo in international waters or designated regional trans-shipment ports respectively.

1. Verifies relevant information and documents from relevant UNVIM colleagues or database sources.
2. Coordinates the inspection planning dates, times and procedures with internal and external entities.
3. Ensures the inspection of the vessel, cargo and crew is conducted according to UN guidelines.
4. Engages shipping entities and port authorities to obtain relevant documents.
5. Drafts inspection reports listing the conclusions of the inspection for the UN Security Council

IV. Impact of Results

By strictly following all the above activities, facilitates the unimpeded free-flow of commercial items to areas of Yemen not under the control of the Government of Yemen and ensure all shipments are compliant with UNSCR 2216 (2015).

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, logistics, procurement, security, Maritime Affairs or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with required qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

EXPERIENCE

• At least 5 years of demonstrated relevant professional experience in supply chain, logistics, military, maritime security, maritime affairs, port management, customs or related fields.
• Experience in the management and logistics of commercial shipments is an asset.

• Previous experience in maritime affairs, port logistics and management is highly desirable.
• Previous international experience is preferred.
• Previous experience with a multilateral organisation such as the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, or other such multilateral organisations is highly desirable and asset.
• Experience in computers and office software packages (MS Office, Excel, etc.).

About the Organization

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.