Advisor, National Mine Action Standards (NMAS)

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 National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) Advisor to provide support to National Mine Action Authorities (NMAA) on updating, developing and reviewing their NMAS and their alignment with the good practice specified within International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). S/he will collaborate with mine action stakeholders both at the national and international level to achieve this purpose. S/he will support the analysis of national needs and operational contexts, and ways to improve the corresponding standards accordingly.

Within the Standards Programme, s/he will work in close collaboration with the Advisor on IMAS Development and the Advisor on IMAS Outreach and Training, specifically in areas relating to supporting National Mine Action Authorities transferring IMAS guidance and contextualising it to better support the improvement and update of NMAS. S/he will also work closely with other colleagues within the Standards and Operations and the GICHD more widely on relevant activities related to needs analysis, standards development, outreach and training.

Areas of Responsibility

• Champion the goal of National Standards within the GICHD and advocate with the national authorities to keep their standards up to date and fit for purpose;
• Promote the development and update of NMAS through collaboration with NMAAs and other national and international stakeholders;
• Lead, facilitate or contribute to workshops, technical working groups and review of NMAS in affected countries and remotely as needed;
• Lead, take part and/or contribute to the GICHD’s country and thematic assessments;
• Collaborate within GICHD and outside on thematic areas as part of supporting the development and review of NMAS in affected countries;
• As a project manager, contribute to project proposals, implement projects, develop work plans; monitor project results and implementation plans, contribute to global and annual GICHD reports; report on project achievements as required for internal and external purposes, in line with the GICHD’s Results-based Management Framework in order to support affected countries in forming and/or implementing appropriate national standards;
• Manage the assigned project budgets, including management of consultants, project activities and overall budget planning and management oversight;
• Provide training and technical assistance to governments, national mine action authorities, mine action centres, Mine Action operators, UN agencies, etc. on any issues related to strategic management of national mine action standards;
• Provide assistance and guidance for the conduct of reviews and evaluations of national programmes and strategies, as requested by national mine action authorities, mine action centres, UN agencies, NGOs, etc., in close collaboration with other GICHD’s advisors and programs;
• Ensure that international convention obligations (e.g. APMBC, CCM and CCW) are taken into account during project planning, implementation and monitoring and that outreach activities reinforce the compliance with conventions’ obligations where appropriate.

Additional duties

• Fulfil any other tasks assigned by the Standards Programme Manager;
• Mainstream best gender and diversity practices; respect and promote gender equality and diversity;
• Develop training packages as an element of the corporate knowledge and memory, with a focus on e-learning where applicable;
• Work in line with, and actively contribute to, the GICHDs Results Based Management approach;
• Support other colleagues through the provision of feedback when requested;
• Provide guidance and input to GICHD colleagues on the above subject matters;
• Provide direction, supervision and guidance to junior programme officers and consultants contracted on projects and studies related to the Standards and Operations Division;
• 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;
• Fulfil the role of a ‘country focal point’ for one or more specifically allocated countries when needed. This includes maintaining an up to date understanding of country contexts, including but not limited to; general context, impact of Explosive ordnance, treaty obligations, security situation and GICHD interventions across thematic competencies.

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 8 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.