About this role

General Information

Position Title

Advisor, Operations Management

Job Category

Crisis, Resilience & Security

Duty Station(s)

Damascus

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level

IICA 3

Posting Start Date

01-Nov-2026

Posting End Date

16-Nov-2026

Duration

Ongoing

Job Highlight

The role will be part of the capacity building team to support the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management (MoEDM) and the Syrian National Mine Action Centre (SNMAC) in developing sustainable national institutional and operational capacity for humanitarian mine action, with a focus on national operational systems and quality management in line with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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.

About the Group

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.

Job Specific Context

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 ordinances. 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.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Capacity Building Advisor, and maintaining a close technical line to the Head of Operations, the Operations and Planning Mentor will provide technical and operational advisory support to the Syrian National Mine Action Centre (SNMAC) to strengthen its ability to plan, task, coordinate, monitor and oversee mine action operations at national level. Working closely with SNMAC, the incumbent will serve as the mentor for SNMAC operations, coordinating and will provide technical oversight and guidance for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of national operational systems, with a particular focus on the quality management system (QMS) including accreditation, operational compliance and lessons learned, in accordance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and the National Mine Action Standards (SNMAS).

Functions / Key Results Expected

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Planning, Prioritisation and Tasking
Mentor SNMAC counterparts to develop, maintain and apply operational frameworks, procedures and workplans, including integration of quality management and information management considerations into operational workplans and tasking processes.
Assist SNMAC in establishing prioritisation, coordination and tasking mechanisms based on humanitarian, development, and government priorities and in accordance with relevant IMAS. Prioritisation and tasking criteria should take into account the differentiated needs and risks of women, girls, boys, men and persons with disabilities, informed by community consultation and gender- and age-disaggregated data.
Assist SNMAC in developing an evidence-based operational decision-making process, supported by appropriate operational and information management products and aligned with national mine action standards.
1. Operational Capability Development
Support the Capacity Building Advisor in strengthening SNMAC Operations Department structures, functions and processes.
Develop, coordinate and implement structured training, mentoring and coaching programmes for operational staff, aligned with agreed capacity development plans.
Maintain gender- and age-disaggregated records of SNMAC personnel mentored and trained under this assignment, and report participation against those records in the reports required under this TOR.
Support the identification of operational and quality management capability gaps and contribute to the development of improvement actions.
Identify and address barriers to the participation of women and underrepresented groups in SNMAC operational and quality management roles and in training and mentoring opportunities.
Support initiatives that promote sustainable national ownership of operational and quality management functions.
Support organisational development and institutional strengthening activities related to operational and quality management systems.
1. Land Release and Operational Standards
Provide technical advice on implementation of IMAS-compliant, Syria-specific and evidence-based land release methodologies.
Assist SNMAC in developing operational policies, SOPs, and technical guidance documents for land release and other mine action activities.
Support SNMAC in integrating land release principles, including all reasonable effort considerations, into national planning and tasking operational oversight systems.
Support SNMAC in monitoring the implementation of operational standards and procedures.
Ensure that land release methodologies, SOPs and technical guidance are reflected in the national quality management framework, including accreditation criteria and monitoring tools.
1. QM and Operational Oversight
Support SNMAC counterparts in the application and improvement of the SNMAS