Operations Associate (Capacity Building)

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

Background: UNMAS Syria Programme

UNMAS Syria, with its office based in Damascus, plays a central role in coordinating humanitarian mine action across Syria. UNMAS also actively supports the broader United Nations Country Team (UNCT) by enabling safe access for humanitarian and development operations. UNMAS also works closely with the Syrian Government which has designated the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management (MoEDM) as the national focal point for mine action. As part of its strategic support, UNMAS is actively coordinating advising on the establishment of a national mine action authority and mine action centre, by providing strategic and technical advice and developing a comprehensive roadmap for institutional development and technical capacity. In addition, UNMAS serves as the lead agency for the Mine Action Area of Responsibility ( MA AoR) in Syria, coordinating efforts under the broader humanitarian framework.

Background: UNMAS Syria Programme

Operating under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2165 (renewed in 2017 with SCR 2393), UNMAS deployed to Syria at the request of the Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in August 2015 and subsequently activated the Mine Action Sub Sector under the Protection Sector to address the impact of explosive hazards within Syria. UNMAS acted as the lead agency for the Mine Action Sub sector for Syria. Established in Damascus since 2018, following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Syrian Arab Republic, UNMAS strives to expand humanitarian mine action in Syria, with the aim of responding to high humanitarian needs. This includes humanitarian mine action activities prioritized in the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Syria: risk education, victim assistance, survey and clearance.

The conflict in Syria has been characterized by the extensive use of explosive weapons, which resulted in large-scale explosive hazard contamination, with the presence of diversified types of ordnances. According to the Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Needs Response Plan(HNRP) 2026, over 14.3 million Syrians are estimated to be at risk of explosive ordnance (EO) contamination; men, women, and children are exposed to the threat of grave injuries and death on a daily basis.

Mitigating EO risks and supporting survivors are a key priority given the scale of EO contamination with 2335 civilian casualties recorded between December 2024 and June 2026.

UNMAS play a central role in reducing harm through non-technical survey, EO disposal and clearance, inclusive risk education integrated with critical services such as education, agriculture, and cash/livelihoods, and sensitive community engagement, while facilitating referrals to survey and clearance actors where feasible.

The Operations Associate will support the UNMAS Capacity Building Team in the delivery of institutional strengthening and operational capacity development support to the Syrian National Mine Action Centre (SNMAC) and associated national stakeholders.

The incumbent will serve as the primary national liaison between the Capacity Building Team and SNMAC on day-to-day operational matters, supporting planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of capacity development activities. The position will help strengthen national mine action governance, operational management systems, coordination mechanisms, accreditation processes, quality management structures, and operational planning capabilities in accordance with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and emerging National Mine Action Standards (NMAS).

Key Responsibilities:

1. Operational Coordination and Liaison

• Serve as the principal day-to-day liaison between UNMAS Capacity Building Team and SNMAC.

• Facilitate information exchange between the Capacity building team, SNMAC, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Coordinate meetings, working groups, technical discussions, and follow-up actions.

• Support preparation and implementation of joint workplans and capacity development activities.

• Assist in coordinating field visits, mentoring missions, assessments, and monitoring activities.

2. Capacity Building Support

• Support implementation of the SNMAC Capacity Development Plan.

• Support the Monitoring of progress against agreed capacity development objectives and milestones.

• Assist in tracking recommendations arising from assessments, missions, and technical reviews.

3. Operational Planning and Monitoring

• Support the development and the monitoring of annual and quarterly workplans.

• Assist the CB team in establishing SNMAC’s operational planning, prioritization, and tasking procedures.

• Monitor implementation of operational activities and identify challenges requiring management attention.

• Support collection and analysis of operational performance information.

• Contribute to preparation of operational reports, briefing notes, presentations, and progress updates.

4. Accreditation, QA/QM and Standards Development Support

• Support the coordination of accreditation assessments and verification activities.

• Supportthe Quality Management Mentors and wider Capacity Building Team in developingf Quality Assurance and Quality Management systems.

• In cooperation with the Quality Management Mentors and wider Capacity Building Team assist SNMAC in drafting National Mine Action Standards and associated SOPs.

• Monitor implementation of agreed standards and procedures.

• Support dissemination and awareness of NMAS among national stakeholders.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Support organization of national coordination meetings and technical working groups.

• Assist with preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, action trackers, and follow-up reports.

• Support engagement with the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (AoR) and relevant coordination mechanisms.

• Assist the Capacity Building team with the translation of documents, emails, minutes of meetings and other relevant materials, as required.

• Provide interpretation support to the Capacity Building team during meetings, mentoring sessions and field missions, as required

6. Administrative and Programme Support

• Support logistical arrangements for training events, workshops, missions, and meetings.

• Maintain activity trackers and monitoring tools for capacity-building activities.

• Support preparation of programme documentation, mission reports, and donor reporting inputs.

• Assist in maintaining records related to training, mentoring, accreditation, and institutional development activities.

• Support translation and interpretation requirements where necessary.

Reporting:

• Reporting to the Capacity Building Advisor

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 3 years of relevant experience is required.

• Minimum of IMAS L2 EOD is required. Certificate is to be submitted as part of the application. (EOD qualification must be from organizations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards - Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.)

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in operations, programme support, coordination, project management, or related fields.

• Experience working with government institutions or national authorities is highly desirable.

• Experience supporting capacity development or institutional strengthening programmes is desirable.

• Field experience within mine action, emergency response, security, or humanitarian operations is essential.

• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders in complex operational environments is desirable.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
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