Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Operations Manager (OM)

WHO ARE WE?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

DRC started Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) activities in Afghanistan in 1998 including operations in Social Cohesion/Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). The HMA operations include (but are not limited to); Emergency Victim Assistance (VA), Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Non-Technical Survey (NTS)/Technical Survey (TS), Clearance (including of Abandoned Improvised Mines) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). DRC’s HDP programmes extend to 4 regions nationally. The Operations Manager (HMA OM) has the primary function of ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in HMA and that DRC works in line with national, international and DRC-HDP standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies and procedures. The OM will contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals, develop detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities (such as the NMAAs and NMACs), to ensure that operations are adequately staffed with well-qualified personnel, monitor all field activities through regular visits to project sites, and prepare appropriate reports for various audiences. The OM is accountable for all aspects of HMA work in DRC Afghanistan and manages technical staff to ensure HMA are conducted effectively, safely, and in accordance with standards (SOPs), while ensuring efficient coordination and cooperation with Area Managers.

Responsibilities:

Operations Management:

• Ensure the highest possible technical standards of safety and security are maintained in all operations.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.
• Ensure regular and efficient coordination and cooperation with Area Managers.
• Ensure relevant non-HMA staff in Area Offices have the required basic understanding to support HMA operations.
• Exercise responsibility for safe storage and handling of explosives, including within warehousing structures.
• Ensure that the prioritisation set by the DMAC, and /or UNMAS are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operational activities.
• Manage, monitor, and supervise the HMA Mine Action Managers, ensuring that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job descriptions and as tasked.
• Monitor and analyse productivity achieved and recommend methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effective operations to be conducted in the programme.
• Lead the planning and monitoring of training and competence building of national operational employees, with an objective to further strengthening the roles.
• Maintain and develop SOPs, workplans and other relevant operations documentation and implement changes within the programme accordingly.
• Assist HMA Managers in Areas Offices in developing appropriate plans for operational support (eg procurement planning).
• Ensure reports on operational outputs are submitted to HDP Copenhagen HQ on a monthly basis.
• Ensure that the Quality Management System is operational and effective under the direction of the QA Manager.
• Conduct regular QC/QA visits to all teams and ensure the Mine Action Managers, HMA Supervisors, HMA Team Leaders and the teams are carrying out drills in accordance with the HDP SOPs.
• Keep a record of all training carried out by all employees together with the HMA Training Specialist.
• Maintain a logbook for all EOD tasks conducted with all specifics related to the task.
• Promote safety culture, and safe and effective methods of munitions clearance and disposal.
• Collection and retention of technical information on munitions as well as the maintaining of the information library on such munitions. S/he is under no circumstances to carry out, or permit others to carry out, forensic work or similar to gain insight into weapon functionality.
• The HMA OM is responsible for managing accident investigations when required.

External Relations:

• Support and advise in country management on operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support the HoHDP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and assist the HoHDP in donor liaison when required.
• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, and related fields of interest.
• Ensure the prioritisation by DMAC, and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders, is taken into account during strategic planning and operational workplan processes.
• With HoHDP, assist in proposing changes and improvements of technical procedure and standards to HQ, for authorisation prior to adoption.

Other:

• Recruit and manage HMA technical staff.
• Work directly with the HMA Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Manager in analysing lessons learned from country to support other programmes regionally and globally, and vice versa.
• Conduct annual appraisals of staff as directed by the HoHDP and HR.
• Conduct a training needs analysis and create a capacity-building strategy based on the findings of the analysis.
• Cover for the HoHDP when required.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements.
• IMAS EOD 3 qualifications and previous work experience as an Operations Manager.
• Proven management experience gained in a range of settings.
• Experience with accreditation to IMAS standard.
• Proven record of training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts.
• Experience of working in insecure environments.
• Skills in diplomacy, patience and persistence.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Good knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Armed Violence Reduction concepts and programming.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain systems.
• Knowledge of Budget Management and Staff Allocation management

Education/qualifications:

• IMAS EOD 3 qualifications

Languages:

• Fluent in English
• Pashto and Dari –fluency desirable

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC salary scale.