Director of the Implementation Support Unit of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC)

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible to the States Parties of the Convention and under the supervision of the President of the Meeting of the States Parties and the Coordinating Committee, the Director of the Implementation Support Unit is in charge of, inter alia, the following responsibilities:

Support to the President, office holders, States Parties, meetings and mechanisms

• Provide substantive and other support to the President and the office holders in all aspects of their work;
• Prepare, support and carry out follow-up activities from formal and informal meetings under the Convention including Intersessional Meetings, Meetings of the States Parties, Review Conferences, Pledging Conference, Coordinating Committee and Committee meetings, amongst others;
• Offer advice and support to States Parties on effective and efficient implementation of all aspects of the Convention and of the decisions adopted at Meetings of the States Parties and Review Conferences, as well as on facilitating communication among States Parties;
• Support the President and the Universalization Coordination Group in their universalization activities, including by preparing, supporting and carrying out follow-up activities of as well as remaining open to contacts with States not yet party to the Convention;
• Support the Coordinator of the Sponsorship Programme in developing an annual strategy for sponsorship and support the Programme implementation;
• Support other mechanisms established by the Convention including the Individualised Approach and the Cooperation and Assistance Fund.

  Leading and managing the Implementation Support Unit (ISU)

• Provide direction, supervision and guidance to staff members working in the ISU, by creating an environment of team spirit and motivation, while also ensuring optimization of resources;
• Develop the five-year and annual work plan and budget of the ISU in accordance with the decisions taken by the Meetings of the States Parties and Review Conferences, ensure prudent management of financial resources and prepare the annual report on the activities and the finances of the ISU;
• Report in written form as well as orally on the activities, functioning and finances of the ISU to Meetings of the States Parties and Review Conferences, and to informal meetings under the Convention as appropriate.
• Report quarterly to the Coordinating Committee on the activities and finances of the ISU.

  Institutional memory and relations with stakeholders

• Build and maintain the institutional memory of the Convention including by keeping records of formal and informal meetings and other relevant expertise and information pertaining to the implementation of the Convention;

• Maintain close relationships with States Parties, (potential) donors, international and civil society organizations that participate in the work of the Convention, while also liaising with other international organizations or agencies and the media with a view to advance the implementation of the Convention.

  Competencies

• Possess expert knowledge of advanced concepts in humanitarian disarmament and a broad knowledge of related disciplines (human rights, international humanitarian law, disarmament, peacebuilding and conflict prevention);

• Possess an in-depth knowledge of multilateral diplomatic work;

• Ability to lead strategic planning, result-based management and reporting processes;

• Solid knowledge of financial and human resources management, resource mobilization, contracting, tender procedures, knowledge management and Information and Communication Technologies;

• Have strong oral and written networking and communication skills;

• Be a team leader and show mentoring skills;

• Remain transparent, impartial, accountable and incorruptible at all times;

• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity.

  Required Skills and Experience

Education and experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent qualifications preferred, in one of the following disciplines: political/social sciences, law, international relations, international development, public policy, public administration, business administration or other relevant field.

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organisation in an international multi-cultural setting;

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of development, cooperation, humanitarian aid, disarmament, conflict prevention or post-conflict recovery work;

• A proven track record of management.

  Language requirements:

• Fluency in English, both oral and written;

• Working knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

  Remark

• Duration of the contract : 4 years from 1 May 2027 with the possibility to renew once for 4 years 
• Salary : CHF 160'321.- gross (annual income before taxes, all benefits included)
• Application deadline : 30 June 2026

Applicants should be aware of the fact that the selection panel is under the obligation of drafting a report on the interviews it has conducted, which will be shared with the members of the Coordinating Committee.

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) is an international expert organisation based in Switzerland.

The GICHD works to reduce the impact of mines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war, in close partnership with mine action organisations and other human security actors. To do so, the GICHD supports national authorities, international and regional organisations and NGOs in their efforts to improve the relevance, performance and sustainability of mine action. Our advisors visit approximately 50 countries each year and offer remote support, enabling them to tackle explosive hazard contamination safely, effectively and efficiently. By bringing together experts and practitioners, gathering and sharing knowledge, the GICHD acts as a central reference point in mine action. We promote dialogue between mine-affected countries in local languages, fostering regional cooperation. This work is not just an end in itself but also contributes to the broader objective of human security – freedom from fear and freedom from want. This effort is facilitated by the GICHD's location within the Maison de la Paix in Geneva

The Centre's work is made possible by core contributions, project funding and in-kind support from 30 governments and organisations.