Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Manager

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.

DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Throughout its nine field offices and a workforce of 450 staff, DRC upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level.

About the job

Overall purpose of the role:

The Operations Manager has the primary function of ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in DRC Yemen’s humanitarian mine action (HMA) program, in line with local, international and DRC’s mine action standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.

The Operations Manager 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 and key stakeholders (such as the Yemen Executive Mine Action Committee (YEMAC) and UNMAS), 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.

As HMA falls within DRC’s Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) sector, the Operations Manager reports directly to the HDP Programme Manager for Yemen and has a technical line to Global Operations Manager. For base and area level support (e.g. Safety and Procurement), the Operations Manager is responsible to coordinate with the respective Area Manager.

Main responsibilities :

Operations Management

• Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and security are maintained in all DRC HMA operations in Yemen.
• Take overall responsibility and supervision of all HMA operations in all areas of operation.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.
• Ensure that the prioritisation set by YEMAC, UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operations.
• Monitor, and supervise the TFMs, ensuring that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job descriptions.
• 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 staff, with a specific objective of nationalisation of posts.
• Assist with the delivery of support service functions especially the Supply Chain Manager, in developing plans for liaison with stakeholders and suppliers, in procuring supplies and equipment required, and with meeting the communications and transport needs of the field teams.
• Exercise responsibility for safe storage and handling of explosives, including within warehousing structures.
• Conduct regular QA visits to all teams and ensure the TFM, TL 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 TFM.
• Promote safety culture, and safe and effective methods of munitions clearance and disposal.

External Relations

• Support and advise HDP Programme Manager/Head of Programme (HoP) on operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support the HDP Programme Manager/HoP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA operations.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and assist the HDP Programme Manager in donor liaison when required.
• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, including through participation in the MA AoR.
• Ensure the prioritisation by YEMAC, and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders, is considered during strategic planning and operational workplan processes.
• Lead the development of innovative new approaches to HMA, including analysing new tools, equipment methodologies and approaches to technical implementation of HMA and ways of improved coordination of delivery with DRC programming.

Other

• Take an active role in coordination with national mine action authorities, including the development/maintenance of MoUs, from a technical and QA perspective.
• Maintain and develop SOPs, workplans and other relevant operations documentation and implement changes within the programme accordingly.
• Work directly with the Global Senior Technical Advisor, Global Operations Advisor and HDP Regional Coordinator in analysing lessons learned from Yemen to support other programmes regionally and globally, and vice versa
• Deputise for HDP Programme Manager as an in-country representative for HMA programs as required.

About you

Experience and technical competencies

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA in complex humanitarian contexts and full understanding of its technical and operational requirements
• 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, diplomatic, patient and persistent
• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic an advantage
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity and impact monitoring.
• Previous working experience in Yemen, or a context like Yemen.
• Knowledge of supply chain systems and willingness to learn and apply DRC financial systems and compliance tools
• IMAS EOD level 3 certificate, and previous work experience as an Operations Manager
• IMAS IEDD level 3 standard in accordance with TEP (0931) (Desirable)

Desirable

Education:

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

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 length: one year contract

Band: E2, Manager

Duty Station: Mocha, (with country-wide scope and frequent travel to Aden)

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station

Start date: ASAP

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.