The role of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), working with UNMAS, UNDP, UNICEF and other mine action partners, is a principal service provider in the field of mine action. UNOPS also provides other project management and logistics services to the United Nations and to international financial institutions, regional and sub-regional development banks and to host governments in the field of infrastructure and public works. In the field of mine action, UNOPS is able to provide services to both mine action programmes managed or supported by the United Nations and is able to provide continuity in implementation during any transition that may take place among United Nations agencies or between the United Nations and national governments.

Coordination: UNOPS works closely with UNMAS, UNDP and the other members of the IACG-MA, the donor community, domestic and international NGOs, commercial firms and suppliers of mine action equipment to ensure our clients’ needs are fully understood and initiatives are implemented in order to address the full range of humanitarian and development consequences of landmine and ERW contamination. At Headquarters, UNOPS actively participates in the activities of the IACG-MA and provides dedicated operational and logistics advice on implementation arrangements to the group as required. 

Programme management and project implementation: UNOPS, through its dedicated Mine Action Unit, may at the request of a client, participate in the design of mine action programmes, provide advisory services, and/or assist in implementation. UNOPS can provide tailor-made operational solutions to best meet programme and client objectives. UNOPS provides a range of services, including the identification and recruitment of international technical experts and national personnel, procurement of goods, services and works and tendering and contracting for mine action services (including survey, clearance, mine detection dogs, mechanical systems, explosive ordnance disposal, MRE and victim assistance), and ensuring adherence to IMAS. UNOPS also enters into a variety of contractual arrangements with donors and NGOs with regard to personnel and equipment and provides contractual, financial and administrative support to mine action programmes. UNOPS has negotiated a number of long-term agreements for the provision of specialised mine action equipment in order to procure these items in a very short period of time at a competitive price. The UNOPS Mine Action Unit has a comprehensive database on personnel, suppliers, contractors and NGOs and has established a network of professional and technical capabilities to support the implementation of mine action programmes. The use of this pool of collective knowledge and historical experience along with applying lessons learned from other programmes adds value to programme implementation through enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. UNOPS helps its mine action clients achieve their mandates of promoting peace, capacity building and equitable development in countries emerging from conflict or in transition. 

Capacity development: In both United Nations managed and supported programmes, UNOPS can assist its clients by operationalising their capacity development strategies. In particular, UNOPS can provide project management support in the field of administration, including human resource management, finance, procurement and legal expertise. 

Standards and quality management: Through its involvement over the years in the implementation of mine action activities, UNOPS has developed a thorough understanding of the range of mine action services required to satisfy the needs and objectives of its clients. UNOPS is continuously updating its legal tools, including agreements and contracts, as well as its personnel and equipment rosters in order to improve the quality of its services. UNOPS implementation of programmes is guided by internationally recognised financial and procurement rules and procedures, and all operational activities are carried out in conformity with IMAS. Implementation activities are continuously monitored, evaluated and assessed to ensure that the right products are delivered in a timely fashion. UNOPS actively contributes to the enhancement and the enforcement of IMAS and supports periodic external evaluations of the programmes it implements.

Information management: UNOPS supports the development and application of standardised mine action information management systems, and contributes to the management and sharing of information within the mine action community

Mainstreaming: UNOPS can be engaged to provide project management and logistics services, including mine action services, in cases where mine action is a part of reconstruction and development activities. 

Resource mobilisation and management: UNOPS provides support in the preparation of the Portfolio of Mine Action Projects, and participates in the MASG