The Ukraine Mine Action Portfolio of Projects operates as an integral part of the Ukraine & East Europe Multi-Country Office (UEMCO).
In order to support a multi-year strategy of a major donor, a six- month (6) Critical Needs Assessment (CNA) is being undertaken as a prelude to an anticipated 5-year project delivering humanitarian mine action services to state entities in Ukraine. These services will include training, procurement, and infrastructure development. The needs assessment will cover various functional areas, including humanitarian demining, canine services, underwater demining, and academic enhancements.
The purpose of the Critical Needs Assessment is to clarify the operational requirements regarding infrastructure, procurement, training, and identify key strategic gaps that can be remedied through training, mentoring, and re-alignment of state institution policies. The CNA will review the areas related to each of the programme projects to establish a solid foundation for implementation.
In support of the beneficiary, UNOPS will address the unique risks of underwater ordnance clearance. This project will establish an underwater Explosive Threat Management training facilities, while equipping divers with specialised skills and tools. Significant scale-up of existing infrastructure facilities will also be required. Project phases include facility design and construction, followed by two training and equipment procurement cycles, ultimately creating a sustainable underwater EOD capability.
The Underwater Explosive Threat Management Specialist will work to assess existing Underwater Explosive Threat Management capacity during the CNA, collecting data and working closely with the CNA Technical Lead to identify milestones to be undertaken immediately after, and if possible during, the Critical Needs Assessment.
Summary of key functions:
Assessment of existing Underwater processes, facilities, and capacity.
Procurement Planning.
Infrastructure Refurbishment Planning.
Policy Development and Implementation
Training/Mentoring
Operational Support
Reporting to the Technical Lead, the Underwater Specialist will contribute to enhancing Ukrainian humanitarian underwater demining capacity by supporting the scale-up of diving units.
During the CNA, (s)he will specifically be responsible for encompassing the initial phases of the project by conducting:
1. Assessment of existing underwater processes, facilities, and capacity:
Conduct thorough assessments of existing underwater capacity as it relates to training, equipment, and infrastructure.
In close collaboration with the Programme Officer, compile findings to capture in the final CNA report.
Utilising the results of the assessments undertaken, the Underwater Specialist will be responsible for providing the following support in close collaboration with the CNA Technical Lead:
2. Procurement Planning:
Evaluate and determine the specifications for diving and any required UW ETM tools relevant construction materials, hyperbaric chambers, and Underwater ETM Training Material (UWETM).
Ensure all procured equipment is compatible with existing equipment utilized by the beneficiary.
Working in close collaboration with the Senior Procurement Officer, liaise directly with the beneficiary to obtain approval for all selected equipment.
Working in close collaboration with the Senior Procurement Officer, compile a comprehensive list of approved equipment.
3. Infrastructure Refurbishment Planning:
Provide technical input for the rehabilitation of existing diving training facilities.
Offer technical expertise in the replacement of the hyperbaric chamber, if required.
Advise on the construction of permanent structures to support the development of the beneficiaries humanitarian demining and diving training site.
4. Policy Development and Implementation as it relates to:
a. Training and Mentoring Planning:
Oversee the technical aspects of delivering the training package up to EOD3+ IMAS level, ensuring compliance with beneficiary agreements and urgent training needs.
Verify that UWETM training delivered by contracted vendors complies with the beneficiaries professional development plan approved by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education, national legal frameworks, NMAS, and IMAS.
Provide technical guidance for operational management training and EOD level 3 for team leaders.
Ensure the technical quality and relevance of training on the use and maintenance of autonomous surface vehicles and hyperbaric chambers.
b. Operations Support:
Provide expert technical support to the beneficiary as a UW ETM specialist based on their operational needs.
Maintain constant and close contact with the beneficiary and other training providers to ensure proper resource prioritization and avoid duplication of effort with other projects
