Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Instructor

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

The UNOPS Ukraine and Eastern Europe MCO (UEMCO) operates in Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland, supporting urgent humanitarian needs while building pathways for recovery and development. In Ukraine, UEMCO delivers large-scale infrastructure, energy, housing, education, and mine action projects in partnership with UN agencies, international financial institutions, the European Union, and bilateral donors. Its agile portfolio responds to fast-evolving needs with strong procurement and implementation capacity. In Moldova, UEMCO supports justice sector reform and is exploring opportunities to expand its role across public sector modernization and infrastructure. In Poland, UEMCO works with government and private sector actors to strengthen ties with UN procurement and contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, leveraging Poland’s EU experience to support Ukraine’s future accession and integration.

Ukraine faces unprecedented explosive ordnance (EO) contamination following the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022. An estimated 25 percent of the country's territory is potentially contaminated. There is a growing need for countering IEDs in Ukraine. The Ukraine Mine Action Programme as part of the Ukraine and East Europe Multi-Country Office (UEMCO) supports national authorities in addressing the most extensive explosive ordnance contamination crisis in Europe since the Second World War.

Reporting to the UNOPS Project Manager and overseen by the UNOPS UEMCO Humanitarian Mine Action Technical Advisor, the Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Instructor is the primary technical expert responsible for developing and delivering EOD related courses, including improvised explosive device disposal Training-of-Trainers (IEDD ToT) and Counter-IED Training-of-Trainers (C-IED ToT) courses to selected partners, and for developing the training materials that underpin all components of the programme. The contractor will enable the partners to independently deliver instructor-led and equipment training to colleagues, building a sustainable national IEDD training capacity.

1. Training Material Development

• Develop comprehensive, NMAS-compliant training materials for the IEDD ToT and C-IED ToT, including lesson plans, instructor guides, participant workbooks, and assessment tools.

• Where requested, develop other EOD related training material.

• Ensure all materials are produced in English and suitable for translation into Ukrainian.

• Review and update materials between cohorts based on participant feedback and changes in the operational environment.

2. Training of Trainers (ToT) Delivery

• Plan and deliver ToT courses to selected partner participants at venues agreed with the partner.

• Structure the course around Method of Instruction (MoI) covering EOD, HMA, IEDD and CIED as the primary content, incorporating elements as agreed with the partner before each cohort.

• Ensure the graduates leave the course able to deliver training in their respective subjects to other partner personnel.

• Support graduates through mentoring and co-delivery as they begin their own sessions, where the schedule allows.

• Maintain accurate attendance records and session reports for each deployment.

• Conduct pre- and post-course assessments; provide individual feedback and course completion certification.

• Provide a written course report following each cohort.

3. Programme Support

• Where requested, liaise with the partners to confirm participant eligibility, cohort schedules, and course content requirements before each delivery.

• Coordinate with the team on scheduling, logistics, and any changes to the programme.

• Where requested, coordinate with other international partners to avoid duplication.

• Submit a final programme report, covering all deliverables, lessons learned, and recommendations.

• Undertake any other relevant thematic tasks as required.

Required

• Master’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; OR
• A technical or professional diploma with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.

• IMAS-equivalent IED Disposal (IEDD) level 3 qualification.

• Candidates must possess IEDD qualifications demonstrating technical competency at the 09.31 level. Applicants must provide evidentiary support (such as course modules and learning objectives) to verify this equivalence.

Desired

• Training-of-Trainers qualification or equivalent instructional methodology certification is desired.

Required

Relevant experience is defined as:

• Operational experience within the last ten years in IEDD level 3 and C-IED activities in an IED-threat environment

• Demonstrable experience in course development and training delivery in a technical or law enforcement context.

• Experience in training/mentoring in conflict or post-conflict settings, with a proven track record in training management of national law enforcement forces.

• Proficient with specialist IED detectors (e.g., GPR, wire detector, etc.).

Desired

• Prior experience in Ukraine or a comparable post-conflict environment.

• Experience with UN agencies or international organisations.

• Knowledge of IMAS, NMAS and current IED typology and tactics relevant to Ukraine.

• Experience facilitating training in multiple modalities and pedagogical methods for diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated experience in producing technical reports on training outcomes, IED threats, and mitigation measures for UN or similar high-risk operational environments.

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