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.

Please note that this is a roster replenishment, i.e. a call for applications for future function-specific opportunities, determined by emerging needs. The process is similar to a regular recruitment, but is not linked to a current vacancy. By joining the roster, candidates will have a chance to apply for Global Technical Advisor (GTA) regular or retainer positions at the ICS-11 level as they emerge. For home-based positions, the contract type (LICA or IICA) will be determined based on the ICSC scale applicable to the duty station.

The Global Technical Advisor (GTA) reports to the Operations Advisor - Ammunition and Weapon Management. The GTA strives to ensure that PSC’s operations are not only compliant with International Mine Action Standards and other relevant global frameworks, but that PSC is also striving to be at the forefront of operational best practices, championing innovation, and operational support, creating a highly effective and impactful role within PSC.

Operations – Design and Planning

• Support PSC and relevant stakeholders in developing and refining programme and project design from an operational and technical perspective, ensuring alignment with global mine action standards and strategic objectives.

• Provide expert operations advice to the PSC Senior Management Team.

• Proactively research new opportunities for operational engagement, contributing to PSC’s strategic expansion and innovation.

• Lead the design of concepts of operations for new projects and programmes, ensuring they are informed by global best practices and technical expertise. Conduct assessment missions and develop documents associated with new ETM opportunities including resource plans and risk management plans. This includes alignment with:

  • UNOPS operational, financial, procurement, and project management standards

  • Health, safety, social, environmental, gender, and information management policies

• Ensure operational approaches and plans are informed by the unique context of each programme, leveraging global knowledge and expertise to create scalable and adaptable implementation strategies.

• Review and provide technical input into:

  • UN-to-UN/UNOPS Project Agreements

  • Solicitation documents for contractors and grantees

  • Comprehensive human resources plans tailored to operational needs

Operations – Implementation and Monitoring

• At the request of the PSC Senior Management Team, conduct oversight visits of ongoing programmes and projects. Identify potential risks and mitigation plans. Take note of lessons and best practices, for portfolio wide dissemination.

• Maintain strict adherence to technical standards, including IMAS, NTSGs, IATG, and MOSAIC.

• Oversee, coordinate, and monitor global mine action operations, ensuring:

  • Quality assurance and risk management systems are robust and standardized across all operations.

  • Consistent application of technical standards and innovation-driven practices in operational execution.

  • Timely and effective corrective actions for underperformance or contractual issues.

Stakeholder Management

• Assist global forums, technical networks, and stakeholder engagements, supporting that PSC is recognized as a leading operator in Explosive Threat Management.

• Collaborate with UNOPS regions to support their advancement and implementation of ETM programmes and projects.

• Actively identify, engage, and prioritize stakeholder networks that advance PSC’s operational objectives and strategic positioning.

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to support the development, implementation, and review of technical standards and treaty obligations.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Establish and lead a global community of operational experts, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the integration of gender responsive, innovative practices across programmes.

• Develop, implement, and maintain systems for capturing, disseminating, and applying lessons learned and best practices.

• Champion innovation by identifying emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies to enhance PSC’s global operations.

• Design and lead initiatives for knowledge dissemination, ensuring alignment with organizational and programme objectives.

People Management

• Guide and mentor operational staff globally, promoting a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and innovation.

• Ensure training and development plans address technical and leadership growth needs, fostering a high-performing and inclusive team environment.

• Conduct regular performance reviews, address issues promptly, and celebrate achievements to maintain morale and productivity.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (master degree or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience; OR

• First Level University Degree (bachelor degree) with 9 years of relevant experience; OR

• Secondary school with 13 years of relevant experience.

Certifications

• EOD Level 3+ qualification (in any specialist EOD activities as described in Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022 (e.g., Bulk demolitions, guided weapons, aerial bombs etc.) is required.

(*EOD qualifications must be from organisations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.)

Relevant experience is defined as operations experience in a military, law enforcement, humanitarian, post-conflict, or development context.

• A minimum of 5 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in explosive threat management is required, in particular, experience managing one or more of the following activities:

  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal including multiple items and logistical demolitions

  • Non-technical survey

  • Technical survey

  • Mechanical clearance and ground preparation

  • Mechanical assisted clearance operations in an urban environment

  • Manual mine clearance

  • Battle area clearance

  • Road clearance

  • High Risk Search (HRS) and/or Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD)

• Experience using information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.

• Experience applying Modular Small Arms Control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) standards is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• 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.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.