Programme Management - Senior Officer

Background Information - PSC
Peace and Security Cluster

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has served as a key implementation platform supporting the work of its largest partner, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Through a strategic partnership, PSC delivers interlinked portfolio, programme and project management services, reinforced by robust oversight and risk management controls tailored to operations in complex and high-risk environments.

Operating under the leadership of the Cluster Director - who holds overall authority and accountability for PSC’s performance on behalf of its clients - the Cluster provides day-to-day management of UNMAS field programmes. This includes comprehensive support across human resources, procurement, contract management, planning, implementation, and financial oversight, ensuring full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations and donor requirements.

PSC’s service delivery is complemented by cross-cutting initiatives, including knowledge and information management, gender equality, diversity and inclusion and quality assurance. The Cluster enables agile deployment and operational flexibility, allowing field programmes to respond swiftly to shifting needs in dynamic operational contexts. It also plays an essential role in donor reporting and visibility, ensuring that funding is used transparently and effectively.

Background Information - UNMAS

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). UNMAS leads operational responses, coordinates mine action across the UN system, and contributes to global standards and policy development. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of \"a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.\"

Operating under mandates from both the UN General Assembly and Security Council, UNMAS functions as a specialized service within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates.

UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of IEDs and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. UNMAS chairs the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA) and leads the Mine Action Area of Responsibility under the Global Protection Cluster. It also chairs the IMAS Review Board and leads the UN Coordinating Task Force on IEDs, supporting the Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda.

Background Information - UNMAS Sudan

The UNMAS Sudan Programme, based in Port Sudan, works in close coordination with the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), the UN Country Team and humanitarian partners. The project aims to protect civilians from the threat of explosive ordnance (EO) and strengthen the resilience of conflict-affected communities through a comprehensive, gender-mainstreamed and conflict-sensitive mine action response. It also supports broader humanitarian, early recovery and stabilization efforts by enabling safe access to areas contaminated by EO.

UNMAS Sudan’s key activities include land release operations; delivery of both direct and indirect Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), tailored to different gender and age groups; and provision of technical advice to humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) actors to help them safely operate in EO-affected environments. The project also leads the coordination of the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) in Sudan, co-chairing the sector under the Global Protection Cluster framework. Through this role, UNMAS ensures that mine action is effectively integrated into humanitarian coordination mechanisms and that EO threats are adequately understood and addressed at all levels.

In addition, the project plans to strengthen its engagement in Victim Assistance (VA), particularly in support of EO survivors - an area that has seen limited attention since the onset of the current conflict. This includes efforts to reactivate the VA pillar within the MA AoR and improve coordination, referral pathways and advocacy for services and support to victims.

While the Programme’s current operational footprint is primarily focused on areas under the control of the Sudan Government - especially urban areas in Khartoum and Al Jazirah - UNMAS Sudan aspires to expand its outreach to all EO-affected regions, addressing both legacy contamination and new threats emerging from the ongoing conflict.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Progeramme Officer, the Programme Management - Senior Officer will be responsible for the following tasks and responsibilities:

Summary of Key Functions

A. Programme development, planning and coordination
B. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities
C. Programme management support
D. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter― agency collaboration
E. Knowledge management and document management

A. Programme development, planning and coordination

Support the programme office in coordinating the development of programme's strategy plan.

Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to communicate.

Programme requirements and client capacities. B. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities

Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross‐cutting priorities, such as gender diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability and environment, to be included in programme design as relevant.

Coordinate preparation of programme documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets and obtain approval before dissemination.

Assist in drafting and/or receiving of concept notes and project proposals and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects. C. Programme Management Support

Support drafting agreements and suggest compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management teams to meet requirements of funding agreements ,in coordination with HQ policies.

In collaboration with relevant personnel, identify monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements.

Assist in tracking programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management term to prepare for internal reviews.

Assist in coordinating information flow between implementation partner and donors

Prepare, and provide editing support for high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to substantive reports, financial agreement, factsheets,..etc. D. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

Education and Minimum Years of Experience

Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, OR

First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with a minimum of 4 years relevant experience.

Experience

Relevant experience is defined as experience in programme/project development or management or any other relevant fields, in either public or private sector organizations.

Language

Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is required

Fluency in another UN official language is desired

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.