Operations Specialist

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:
On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian & socio economic toll, global energy & food crisis, large scale destruction of the country’s infrastructure & disruptions in the provision of critical services & degradation of social fabrics & communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.
Severe attacks on energy & critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy & agricultural production & also affect the poorest countries worldwide.
Our client support to its partners spans the humanitarian development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy & mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement & technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession & in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

Operations support to mine action project unit:
Reporting to the Head of Operations, the Operations Specialist coordinates with a team of Mine Action specialists in our client implemented mine action activities & projects.
Support the communications with other UN agencies, Ukrainian state institutions, national & regional authorities & all relevant stakeholders in the mine action sector for coordination purposes, particularly concerning legislative, operational & technical issues.
Coordinate training initiatives & projects for Ukrainian state institutions.
Collaborate on the mine action sector’s needs assessment & gap analysis.
Support in the development & delivery of awareness training programmes for our clients staff, other UN agencies, humanitarian actors & our client contracted organisations to raise EO awareness about operating in hazardous areas.
If required, provide gender sensitive EORE training / instructions for our clients members.
Any other duties or tasks as identified by the Head of Mine Action project unit or Head of Operations.

Operations design & planning, provide inputs to design documents from an operational & technical standpoint, such as:
Conduct needs assessment & EO contamination analysis in conflict affected areas.
Provide input on the scale & type of the mine action support required in our clients projects.

Operations implementation & monitoring:
Coordinates & monitors mine action activities & projects implemented by certified mine action operators in support of our clients projects.
Conduct field visits to the worksites of our clients implementing partners & supported governmental mine aciton operators.
Evaluate the performance of our clients implementing partners & their compliance with our clients contracts.
Provide the required technical advisory to the supported governmental mine action operators.
Contribute to developing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), plans, instructions, etc., related to mine action support activities in support of our clients projects.
Provide suggestions on potential technical & operational issues that may impact the achievement of project outcomes & appropriate solutions.
Contribute to the quality & information management system of our clients projects.

Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with mine action technical standards, such as:
Mine action law of Ukraine & relevant by laws.
International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) & National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) of Ukraine.
International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG).
Approved SOPs of our clients implementing partners & their mine action operators.

People management:
Acting as Head of Operations in his / her absence.
Mentor operations personnel in planning, executing & delivering 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, effectively & efficiently.
Participate in ensuring a professional, ethical & well managed operations team.
Foster a positive & enabling work environment, respectful of both men & women & ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Knowledge management & innovation:
Ensure records of projects & operations related files are well maintained.
Effectively manage efficient & effective operations in his AOR.
Keep abreast of & incorporate latest / best practices, approaches & technology to enhance operational results.

Project reporting:
This role reports to the Head of Operations.

Key competencies:
Master’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required, in lieu of the masters degree, either a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted or a minimum of 11 years of military or police experience may be accepted.
EOD level 3 & IEDD certifications are required.
EOD qualifications should be from international or national organisations, including certified mine action organisations that train & educate EOD Specialists in accordance with NMAS / IMAS standards. The individual is responsible for providing proof of competence & the curriculum of courses attended.
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 proven and applicable experience in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Non Technical Survey (NTS), EORE, Technical Survey (TS), mechanical demining operations, including mechanical assisted clearance operations in an urban environment, Manual Mine Clearance (MMC) or Battle Area Clearance (BAC).
Knowledge of the National & International Mine Action Standards (NMAS / IMAS) is required.
Knowledge of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) is desirable.
Knowledge of working with information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA Core) is desirable.
Knowledge of the overall mine action system in Ukraine, main stakeholders, governmental & non governmental mine actioon operators, tasking mechanisms, reporting, coordination of the activities & cooperation with the authorities involved in mine action at national, regional & local levels is desirable.
Experience in writing & reviewing reports is desirable.
Experience working in Ukraine & / or region knowledge is required.
Strong ability to liaise with various stakeholders: governmental military, law enforcement & civilian regional & local authorities, governmental & non governmental, including commercial, national & international mine action operators is desired.
Ability to drive 4 x 4 vehicles & hold a “C” driving licence is required.
Flexibility & ability to work under pressure in a challenging environment & with limited time frames are desired.
Ability to cope with physical hardship, willingness to work extra hours in an environment with limited infrastructure & proven resilience to high stress environments are desired.
Willingness to travel to hazardous areas of the project is required.
Working knowledge of English & full working knowledge of Ukrainian (reading, writing & speaking) is required.
Develops & implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term & externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates & perceives the impact & implications of future decisions & activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences & encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity & inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates & supports the development of others. Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs & inspires others to succeed, utilising appropriate leadership styles
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners & always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds & maintains strong external relationships & is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self & / or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities & takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our clients beneficiaries.
Open to change & flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences & modifies own behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data & courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation & creativity to problem solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise & open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings & needs of others. Actively listens & proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion & finding common ground.

Team management:
This role has no team management responsibility

Further information:
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.