The Operations Specialist (Mine Action Operation Officer) position within the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) represents a highly technical and operationally intensive role supporting mine action programmes in complex and high-risk environments. Working under the Peace and Security Cluster in partnership with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the role focuses on operational planning, explosive hazard management, and field coordination to support humanitarian safety and post-conflict recovery efforts.
This position is typically home-based with the possibility of deployment to field locations, depending on operational needs. It requires advanced technical expertise in mine action operations, strong coordination skills, and the ability to ensure compliance with international safety and operational standards.
Operational Context and Strategic Environment
The role is embedded within a broader UNOPS mandate to support peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and sustainable development through efficient project and operational management. The Peace and Security Cluster provides implementation support to UNMAS programmes operating in highly complex environments affected by landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
UNMAS, established in 1997, leads global efforts to eliminate explosive hazards and support safe environments for affected populations. The Operations Specialist contributes directly to this mandate by ensuring that mine action activities are effectively designed, implemented, and monitored in accordance with international standards and UN operational frameworks.
The position is particularly relevant in contexts such as Sudan and other conflict-affected regions, where explosive remnants of war continue to pose significant risks to civilians, humanitarian personnel, and infrastructure development efforts.
Operational Design and Planning Responsibilities
A core responsibility of the Operations Specialist is to support the development of operational plans and technical project documentation. This includes contributing to workplans, concept of operations, and project agreements that define how mine action activities are implemented in the field.
Key planning responsibilities include:
- Supporting the design of operational workplans based on threat assessments and field conditions
- Contributing technical input to concepts of operations for clearance and risk education activities
- Ensuring resource allocation aligns with operational requirements, including personnel and equipment
- Supporting the development of procurement and contracting documentation for third-party implementation
- Assisting in human resource planning for operational deployments
These planning functions ensure that mine action programmes are both realistic and adaptable to evolving field conditions.
Implementation, Monitoring, and Quality Assurance
The Operations Specialist plays a central role in overseeing the implementation of mine action operations. This includes monitoring both directly implemented activities and those executed by contractors or implementing partners.
Operational responsibilities include:
- Ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial, procurement, and operational policies
- Monitoring adherence to International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
- Overseeing explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), clearance operations, and risk education programmes
- Conducting operational risk assessments and advising on mitigation measures
- Reviewing performance reports and contributing to payment and contract management processes
- Ensuring quality assurance systems and information management platforms are properly implemented
The role requires continuous evaluation of field performance to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with established standards.
Explosive Hazard Management and Technical Operations
A significant portion of the role involves direct technical oversight of explosive hazard management activities. This includes analyzing threats in specific geographical areas and recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
Operational technical functions include:
- Conducting explosive ordnance threat analysis in affected regions
- Supporting non-technical and technical survey operations
- Overseeing mechanical and manual clearance operations in urban and rural environments
- Supporting IED disposal and battlefield clearance activities
- Advising on movement planning and operational safety for UN and humanitarian personnel
- Implementing risk education and awareness programmes tailored to affected populations
These responsibilities require advanced technical certification, including EOD Level 3 qualification, and extensive field experience in mine action environments.
Stakeholder Coordination and Interagency Engagement
The Operations Specialist supports coordination with multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, national authorities, and humanitarian partners. Effective communication and relationship management are essential to ensuring operational alignment.
Key coordination functions include:
- Managing relationships with UNOPS stakeholders and implementing partners
- Supporting coordination within mine action clusters and coordination bodies
- Ensuring alignment between operational activities and humanitarian response frameworks
- Participating in coordination meetings and technical working groups
- Facilitating information sharing between operational teams and strategic leadership
This coordination role ensures that mine action activities are integrated into broader humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts.
People Management and Team Leadership
The role includes leadership responsibilities for operational teams, often composed of both national and international personnel. The Operations Specialist is expected to foster collaboration, professionalism, and adherence to ethical standards.
Leadership responsibilities include:
- Mentoring operational staff in mine action planning and execution
- Providing clear direction and performance guidance to multicultural teams
- Conducting performance reviews and addressing operational challenges
- Promoting diversity, inclusion, and safe working environments
- Supporting capacity development and technical training initiatives
Effective people management ensures operational consistency and high performance in demanding environments.
Knowledge Management and Innovation
The Operations Specialist is also responsible for maintaining operational records and integrating best practices into programme delivery. Continuous improvement and innovation are central to this function.
Key responsibilities include:
- Maintaining accurate operational documentation and reporting systems
- Ensuring data integrity within mine action information management systems (e.g., IMSMA)
- Incorporating emerging technologies and methodologies in mine action operations
- Supporting lessons learned processes and operational evaluations
- Enhancing efficiency through improved operational tools and systems
This function ensures that institutional knowledge is preserved and operational effectiveness is continuously improved.
Required Skills and Technical Competencies
The role requires a highly specialized technical background in mine action and explosive hazard management, combined with strong operational leadership capabilities.
Essential qualifications include:
- Advanced degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields such as military operations, humanitarian response, or engineering
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in explosive hazard management
- Experience in EOD, clearance operations, or survey activities
- Knowledge of IMAS, IATG, and related international standards
- Experience using mine action information systems such as IMSMA
- EOD Level 3 certification (mandatory requirement)
- Strong analytical, operational planning, and risk management skills
Fluency in English is required, with additional competencies in communication, coordination, and problem-solving.
Conclusion
The Operations Specialist (Mine Action) role within UNOPS is a highly technical and operationally demanding position that directly supports global humanitarian mine action efforts. Through a combination of field coordination, technical oversight, and strategic planning, the role contributes to reducing explosive hazards and improving civilian safety in post-conflict and high-risk environments. It requires a strong balance of technical expertise, leadership capability, and adherence to international humanitarian standards, making it a critical function within UNOPS peace and security operations.
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