Head of Operations

CTG overview:

• CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
• CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
• Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
• Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Overview of position:

• Our client is an operational arm of the United Nations (UN), supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian & development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the UN, our client provides sustainable project management, procurement & infrastructure services to a wide range of governments (govts.), donors & UN organisations.
• For over 20 years, our clients Peace & Security Cluster (PSC) has provided portfolio & project management services in the area of Mine Action (MA) & explosive hazards, that are reinforced by comprehensive management & oversight controls. Under this umbrella, the PSC is responsible for the implementation of projects that, through the engagement of inputs such as personnel, third parties, assets & other resources, deliver activities that produce substantive MA outputs.
• Project management is conducted in line with our clients Project Management Manual (PMM), which incorporates best practices in the field, as well with a view to quality & cross cutting initiatives such as workforce & talent management, knowledge & information management, health, safety, social & environmental management; gender parity & mainstreaming & diversity & inclusion. This comprehensive delivery platform is implemented in accordance with partner requirements & in line with our clients rules & regulations through the leadership of the Cluster Director, who has the overall authority & accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients.

Operations design & planning:

• Program strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework, stakeholder analysis, risk analysis, resource mobilization strategy).
• Workplan & budget (e.g. nature of threat, technical personnel & equipment requirements, etc.).
• Concept of operations.
• Input into the documents above is from the operational & technical aspects encompassing MA pillars (e.g. clearance, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Victim Assistance (VA), advocacy & stockpile destruction).

Operations implementation & monitoring:
Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with our clients policies & standards, such as:

• Financial & procurement rules.
• Contract & grant management policies.
• Project management standards.
• Health Safety Social & Environmental (HSSE) standards.
• Gender parity & mainstreaming policies.
• Information Management Systems (IMS) & standards.
• Organizational design standards & Human Resources (HR) policies.

Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with MA technical standards, such as:

• International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) & corresponding National Technical Specifications & Guidelines (NTSGs).
• International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG).
• Review all performance reports & populate internal monitoring & reporting mechanisms (i.e. grant & contract management plans) to inform the monthly payment process.
• Design, implement & oversee robust Quality Management (QM) & IMS.
• Design & maintain a risk management system focused on problem solving which ties into contract management awareness, maintain & utilize risk & issues logs.
• Advise the Country Manager of potential technical & operational issues that may impact the achievement of program / project outcomes & appropriate solutions.
• Lead Boards of Inquiry (BOI) as relevant.
• Contribute to monitoring budgets / expenditure for over / under spent & adjust planning accordingly.

Stakeholder management:

• In support of the country office, manage relationships with key MA stakeholders.
• Engage with national MA authorities & / or relevant govt. ministries for purposes of coordination as requested.

People management:

• Support in recruitment, train, guide, empower & develop the operations team, with consideration for individual training & development needs.
• Mentor & advise operations personnel in planning, execution & delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best operational processes.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration & diversity by providing the operations team with clear direction, objectives & guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly & efficiently.
• Foster a positive & enabling work environment, respectful of both men & women & ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Ensure that regular performance reviews are conducted & any issues are immediately addressed.

Knowledge management & innovation:

• Ensure records of operations related files are well maintained.
• Implement relevant tools & templates to effectively manage efficient & effective operations.
• Keep abreast of & incorporate latest / best practices, approaches & technology to enhance operational results.
• Initiate & undertake lessons learned exercises, including the sharing, effective filing & incorporation into future operational plans & ensure information sharing.

Project reporting:

• This role reports to the Project Manager (PM).

Key competencies:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required, in lieu of an Advanced University Degree, either (a) a First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience may be accepted or (b) a minimum of 13 years of military or police experience may be accepted. (see “experience” below).
• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project management in a military, humanitarian, conflict, post conflict, or development context.
• A minimum of 3 years of leadership experience (within the past 10 years ), including supervising teams & managing complex projects & budgets is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of proven & applicable experience (within the past 10 years ) in the management of Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) operations & in particular previous experience managing / implementing the following activities such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) / Non Technical Survey (NTS) / Technical Survey (TS) / mechanical assisted clearance operations in an urban environment / manual mine clearance / Battle Area Clearance (BAC).
• Knowledge of the IMAS, IATG & experience in implementing a Quality Management System (QMS), with field experience in application of land release methodologies is required.
• Knowledge working with IMS such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.
• Experience in writing & reviewing reports is required.
• EOD level 3+ certification (Aerial Bombs, Guided Weapons module)
• EOD qualifications should be from international organizations that train & educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards. The individual is responsible for providing proof of competence & the curriculum of courses attended.
• Full working knowledge of English (reading, writing & speaking) is required.
• Working knowledge of Ukrainian (reading, writing & speaking) is an asset.

Team management:

• Team management responsibility is required for this role.

Further information:

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.