Country-Specific Information - Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.
Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.
UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Job-Specific Information
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, and is overseen by the Ministry of Economy (MoE).
The needs assessment will be both academic and practical, as practical planning for
service delivery will take place concurrently. The CNA team will work with the in-country donor team and MoE to establish regular board meetings and adjust project expectations as needed.
Reporting to the Senior Programme Manager- Mine Action, UEMCO, and in close coordination with the Head of Implementation - the CNA Technical Lead is required to lead and manage a small team to produce needs assessments and associated project plans with the support of a small team of experts and with the support of the wider Mine Action Office.
A successful end state can be envisaged as a practical plan to deliver a variety of projects over five years in staged milestones. This will be supported by an evidence-based document that describes the capabilities of the state entities supported in this process, with roadmaps to support theories of change.
The Technical Lead role requires the ability to understand and communicate complex information to a variety of audiences, plan effectively, liaise with a wide variety of senior stakeholders, utilize the skills of their team effectively, and produce professional reports.
Summary of key results:
Needs assessment planning
Needs assessment delivery
Leadership and management
Stakeholder management
Knowledge management and innovation
1. Needs Assessment Planning
Within given timelines, plan activities to ensure the timely production of a CNA.
Highlight gaps in available resources and raise risks relating to project delivery as soon as possible.
Plan the mobilization of other technical experts with the support of the Senior Programme Manager - Mine Action and UEMCO HR.
Timetable Board Meetings and reviews in coordination with the Head of Implementation - Mine Action and Project Board.
2. Needs Assessment Delivery and Outputs
Deliver a comprehensive CNA report within the project period in formats agreed with the CNA Project Board.
Prepare documentation to support CNA findings to be delivered to different audiences and in different formats.
Be prepared to produce interim reports and to coordinate the input from other technical experts.
Lead UNOPS planning activities to ensure effective delivery of follow on projects.
Be prepared to deliver planning support to the rapid roll out of activities to support initial CNA findings in the first two or three months of the CNA project.
Assist in the creation of procurement strategies to support activities proposed by the CNA.
Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions.
Lead and deliver updates at Board Meetings on behalf of UEMCO
In general - oversee project implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Head of Implementation, for action and/or intervention.
Be prepared to represent the UEMCO Mine Action (MA) Team at events and conferences where requested.
Ensure projects are implemented in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards.
3. Leadership and management
Effectively manage a mixed team of personnel and resources who will be assigned to the CNA Project on a needs basis but may perform other related tasks for UEMCO.
Ensure that all spending requirements are coordinated with the delegated budget holder and project manager.
Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
Create, foster and role-model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel and their eligible dependents within the respective area of responsibility.
4. Stakeholder management
Lead coordination and liaison activities relating to the CNA.
Ensure that all stakeholder meetings are recorded as per UEMCO MA team SOPs.
Given UNOPS role as secretariat in the delivery of the CNA, ensure that (with the support of CNA assigned personnel) that CNA Board meetings are regularly conducted, recorded and action points are followed up on.
5. Knowledge management and innovation
Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the project delivery and results; continuous review of approaches/methodology to ensure relevance or enact new ones.
Initiate and undertake lessons learned exercises, including the sharing, effective filing, and incorporation into future plans the lessons learned by the project(s) and others to improve future delivery and quality, and to strengthen the knowledge and information sharing mechanisms internally, as well as with clients and other key stakeholders.
Highlight possible areas of activity falling outside of the CNA where UNOPS could support Mine Action activities in Ukraine.
Be prepared to provide technical guidance to the UEMCO Mine Action where requested.
Advanced University Degree (master Degree or equivalent) is required with seven years of relevant experience, OR
First Level University Degree (bachelor degree or equivalent) with nine years of relevant experience
Experience:A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience with Advanced University Degree (master Degree or equivalent), defined as experience in project management in military, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development contexts
A minimum of two (2) years of leadership experience, including supervising teams, managing complex projects,and budgets is required
Experience in writing and reviewing reports is required
Experience working in a developing country is desirable
Experience working in mine action, particularly in Ukraine, is desirable
Language requirements:Fluency in English is required (read, write, speak)