Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Manager

Introduction:

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 fulfilment 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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been working in Sudan since 2004 and was subsequently present in South Sudan when it gained independence in 2011. DRC-DDG South Sudan programme’s current focus is on supporting forcibly displaced and conflict-affected people, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, to access their rights in a safe and secure environment. Currently DRC-DDG is operational in greater Equatoria, Unity and Upper Nile States.

Overall, Purpose of the Role:

This role will lead the Humanitarian Mine Action operations for DRC in South Sudan. The Operations Manager will contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals and develop detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities 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 Operations Manager reports to DRC’s Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding Manager for South Sudan, has technical accountability to DRC’s Global Technical Advisor and is supported by the HDP Regional Coordinator based in Nairobi. When required, a Medical Coordinator will deploy to the programme for a fixed-term period, during which she/he will also report to the Operations Manager.

DRC’s Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) portfolio in-country was initially established in 2006 with Area Clearance, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Peacebuilding (PB). DRC currently conducts these activities, along with Non-Technical Surveys, in Unity, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and Upper Nile States.

Responsibilities

Operations Management:

• Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and security are maintained in all operations.
• Take responsibility for daily and supervision of all Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) operations.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.
• Ensure all operational accreditation documentation is up to date including Standard Operating Proceduress, operational plans etc. in liaison with relevant DRC HQ Technical Advisors, and in keeping with DRC global SOPs, International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Mine Action Standards (NMAS).
• Ensure that the prioritisation set by National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operational activities.
• Monitor, and supervise the HMA Technical Field Manager, Senior Paramedic, Liaison Officer, HDP Mechanic and Community Liaison Manager, 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.
• Responsible for the internal Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)
• Conduct regular QA visits to all teams and ensure operations are conducted in accordance with the HDP SOPs
• Exercise responsibility for safe storage and handling of explosives, including within warehousing structures.
• Lead the planning and monitoring of training and competence building of national operational employees, 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.
• Report operational outputs to DRC’s Copenhagen HQ on a monthly basis, based on input from the HMA team.
• Support, where relevant, the integration of HMA with other DRC response sectors such as Economic Recovery and Peacebuilding.
• Coordinate closely with the Area Managers.

Programme Development

• Support and advise DRC’s Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding Manager (and the Head of Programme if required) in operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support the HDP Manager with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA activities
• Work closely with the Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding Coordinator (and other technical coordinators) to find synergies and integrating programming opportunities
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals, development of budgets and reports and assist the HDP Manager in donor liaison when required.
• Support the HDP Manager in developing 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.

External Relations:

• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities, the Mine Action Area of Responsibility, and other agencies involved in mine action, conflict prevention and other fields of interest, including development agencies.
• Ensure the prioritisation by NMAA, and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders, is taken into account during strategic planning and operational workplan processes.
• Support field teams in maintenance of positive working relationships with local authorities and communities.

Other:

• Play an active role in supporting DRC Senior Management Team.
• Maintain and develop SOPs, workplans and other relevant operations documentation and implement changes within the programme accordingly.
• Work directly with the DRCs HQ Technical Team and the Regional HDP Coordinator in analysing lessons learned from South Sudan to support other programmes regionally and globally, and vice versa.
• Deputise for the HDP Manager as an in-country representative for HMA if/as required.

Experience and technical competencies:

Required

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements.

• Diploma level (bachelor’s degree desired)

• IMAS EOD 3+ qualifications
• 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 standards.
• Knowledge of Armed Violence Reduction or Peace building concepts and programming.
• Proven record of empowering and training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts.
• Experience of working in challenging and insecure environments.
• Diplomatic, patient and persistent.
• 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

• IMAS EOD3 +
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Working experience in South Sudan.
• Experience in data analysis and Information Management

Workplace: Juba, South Sudan. With frequent travels to field sites.

Start date: TBC, (This recruitment is for creation of a pool).

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC Expat or National salary structures.

General Regulations

The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework. The employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization. The employee should not engage in any activity that could harm the DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period. The employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization. The employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process:

All suitable candidates apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Applications close on the 7th of December 2024 at 11:59pm (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.