Advisor, International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) Outreach & Training

About us

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) works towards reducing risks to communities stemming from explosive ordnance, with a particular focus on mines, cluster munitions, other explosive remnants of war and ammunition storages. The Centre helps develop and professionalise the sector for the benefits of its partners: National and local authorities, donors, the United Nations, other international and regional organisations, non-governmental organisations, commercial companies and academia. It does so by combining three distinct lines of service: field support focused on capacity development and advice, multilateral work focused on norms and standards, and research and development focused on cutting-edge solutions. These efforts are facilitated from the GICHD’s location within the Maison de la Paix in Geneva.

Purpose / Summary:

The Standards and Operations Division provides services and technical expertise on standardisation, quality management, and operational efficiency in support of national authorities in mine action and the wider mine action and human security sector. In addition to supporting the development of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), emphasis is placed on: providing technical assistance, training and capacity development, conducting research, producing publications, developing tools and work methods, supporting the development, improvement and implementation of national mine action strategies and developing and improving national mine action standards (NMAS). The Division further seeks to ensure operational efficiency by providing advice, record and shares best practices to ensure standardised, safe and efficient survey and clearance operations.

Our division is hiring a Mine Action Standards Outreach and Training Advisor who will promote the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) to advance their adoption and application within mine action programmes. S/he will collaborate with mine action stakeholders both at the national and international level to achieve this purpose. The Advisor will facilitate knowledge sharing by developing learning and training material, organising training, workshops and other activities to promote the use and understanding of the IMAS framework. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Advisor on IMAS Development and the Advisor on National Mine Action Standards, specifically in areas relating to supporting National Mine Action Authorities transferring IMAS guidance into improving and updating National Mine Action Standards. S/he will also work closely with other colleagues within the Standards and Operations and the GICHD more widely on their IMAS and other relevant outreach and training activities.

Areas of Responsibility

• Implement, review and monitor the IMAS Outreach and Training Strategy;
• Conduct needs analysis with regards to IMAS outreach, training and standard development and propose relevant learning activities;
• Ensure that new and updated IMAS documents are presented to and understood by the sector through outreach and learning activities;
• Review and develop training and outreach material to promote understanding and conformance with the IMAS framework, including for in person training and workshops, online events and e-learning platforms;
• Organise and facilitate IMAS outreach and training activities in person, online and/or through e-learning platforms and/or through written publications as required, in collaboration with other GICHD advisors and consultants;
• Liaise within the GICHD to conduct, monitor and coordinate IMAS outreach and training activities conducted by the Centre;
• Work in close collaboration with the Advisor on IMAS Development and the Advisor on National Mine Action Standards to ensure outreach and training are coordinated with IMAS development and NMAS activities;

Additional duties

• Fulfil any other tasks assigned by the Standards Programme Manager;
• Mainstream good gender and diversity practices; respect and promote gender equality and diversity;
• Work in line with, and actively contribute to, the GICHD’s Results Based Management approach;
• Support other colleagues through the provision of feedback when requested;
• Provide direction, supervision and guidance to junior programme officers, programme and project officers and consultants contracted on assigned projects;
• Collaborate with other colleagues to promote and implement GICHD’s strategy;
• Collaborate and coordinate with all other GICHD sections, including Communications, Support & Administration;
• Strive for continual improvement in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the work.

Qualifications (technical qualifications or certifications that are essential to fulfil the post):

• A post-graduate degree or equivalent professional diploma in a relevant subject of study or field (Conflict Prevention, Peace and Security, International Relations, relevant Military studies or qualifications, or any other relevant field).

Specific knowledge, technical skills (that are essential to fulfil the post)

• At least 7 years of experience in mine action, including extensive knowledge of mine action operations and management with demonstrated operational experience, in different countries/regions.
• Substantial operational exposure to survey and clearance operations;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and reviewing national standards or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for mine action programs and operations or other relevant programs;
• Demonstrated experience with the design and delivery of training courses and in capacity development;
• Ability to organise and facilitate trainings and workshops, in person or online, with different levels of stakeholders;
• Ability to develop learning material and training packages independently.
• Experience and competence in project management, including project planning, budgeting, financial management, monitoring and reporting;
• Knowledge and experience in the application of results-based management systems;
• Ability to communicate clearly and constructively with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse cultures;
• Proven team-player with service-minded attitude;
• Fluent in English with excellent writing skills (including technical writing for case studies, reports, and evaluations);
• Arabic, French, and/or Russian are strongly desirable.