Humanitarian Mine Action – Technical Field Manager

The Danish Refugee Council Humanitarian Disarmament and Peace Building (DRC HDP), one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently seeking a highly qualified and motivated Technical Field Manager (TFM) for its growing Humanitarian Mine Action portfolio in Ukraine. We appreciate devotion and team building, and we welcome you to join our efforts in building capacities that will support humanitarian disarmament and peace building.

About the job

The Technical Field Manager (TFM) has the primary function of providing technical advice, training and direct management of all national staff assigned to him/her throughout all HMA activities. He/she will provide daily management to a number of MMC, BAC and NTS teams sometimes spanning a wide area of operations, thus DRC HDP is seeking a person that displays a positive approach to his/her work, and is of a determined and dedicated character.

His/her secondary function is to develop the capacity and technical knowledge of all national HMA staff within DRC HDP assigned to him/her with a view to producing an effective and sustainable partially nationalized HMA operation over a specified timeframe.

The TFM reports directly to the Operations Manager (OM) with some indirect line management with other DRC HDP expatriate technical staff.

The TFM will be primarily based in Northern Ukraine, but is expected to travel and reside in other regions, mainly to areas where DRC HDP MMC & BAC teams operate, to the national training centers and to Kyiv where DRC headquarters is located.

Some areas of operations are remote and will require the TFM to ‘embed’ himself/herself within the local community.

As TFM, you will plan your activities closely with the Operations Manager. The TFM reports directly to OM but is expected to maintain a technical line with the DRC Global Senior Technical Advisor.

The TFM will work very closely with other Technical Advisors, National Demining Supervisors and other demining team members.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct management of all assets assigned to him/her, including National Demining Supervisor(s), MMC, BAC & NTS Teams, vehicles & equipment throughout a multitude of HMA activities

• Manage and monitor the HMA costs closely and report to OM, HoP and the Head of Support Services (HoSS) of any discrepancies

• Supervise procurement processes; ensure development and follow up of the Procurement Plans resulting in timely delivery of demining supplies and equipment with meeting the communications and transport needs of the field teams

• Ensure all HMA teams are in full compliance of IMAS, NTSG & DRC HDP SOPs

• Daily reporting of all HMA activities to OM

• Ensure all donor targets are achieved during the project cycle, whilst maintaining all quality and safety standards

• Support the process of official accreditation and licensing of DRC in Ukraine, according to newly-released legislative requirements

• Assist the programme for revision of NMAS in Ukraine as a part of the Working Group under Mine Action Sub-cluster

• Occasional representation of DRC HDP in sub-cluster, regional, and National Authority meetings.

• Other relevant tasks as assigned by the DRC HDP Operations Manager

Reporting Lines

The Technical Field Manager will report direct to the DRC HDP Operations Manager – Ukraine.

Qualifications

• Considerable working experience at international level within humanitarian international NGOs or similar international body, within the Mine Action sector is required
• Hands-on experience of training, supervising and deploying manual demining & BAC teams is required
• Knowledge of and practical experience with a range of hand-held detectors, such as the Minelab F3, Ebinger UPEX 740M, CEIA CMD, Vallon VMR3 / VMC, for the purposes of manual demining is essential
• Proven experience in the application of Land Release and a willingness to exercise and promote the Land Release Policy during DRC HDP operations and to transfer this knowledge and expertise to National Staff.
• Minimum of IMAS EOD Level 3 certification, or equivalent from an Internationally recognised technical school (Military or Civilian) is required with proven experience to support level of EOD 3
• Proven experience in designing and delivering technical training and capacity development of national staff is desirable
• Experience in HMA Quality Management roles would be considered advantageous
• Fluency in written and spoken English with excellent writing skills is required
• A high degree of computer literacy in all MS Office programs is required
• Proven experience in technical management of national staff, of varying genders, cultures and religions is highly desirable
• Knowledge of advanced trauma care is highly desirable
• Ukrainian and/or Russian language skills are highly desirable
• Work experience from within the region (Eastern Europe) is desirable

Personal competencies

• Capacity to work independently

• Courage and integrity

• A positive and problem-solving attitude and ability to get things done in spite of a challenging political and insecure environment

• Innovative and creative thinking with strong analytical and reporting skills

• Political and cultural sensitivity, as well as a diplomatic, tactful, and flexible interpersonal style

• Ability to exude calmness and patience in high stress situations

• Proven ability to function well in a potentially volatile and sometimes stressful environment

• A strong team player with a willingness to assume Technical Advisor and/or Operations Manager position short term in times of Expatriate Staff leave periods

• Medically and physically fit for duty in austere environments

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract: One year, with possibility of an extension, depending on funding and performance.

Salary at Band F – managerial and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates.

Duty station: Kyiv, with regular travel to other regions. The position is unaccompanied and the candidate must be prepared to live and work in an isolated environment for long periods of time with limited recreational and social facilities. Simple accommodation is provided for the duration of the contract.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Start date: July 2022

Further information

For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website http://www.danishdemininggroup.dk/ and http://www.drc.dk/.