Employer: Danish Refugee Council
Location: Afghanistan
Closing date: 12 Jan 2020
ABOUT THE JOB:
Danish Demining Group (DDG) is the humanitarian mine action unit of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). DDG has operated in Afghanistan since 1999, initially beginning operations in Kandahar province, before moving its headquarters to its current location in Kabul. Since 2012, it has been a fully integrated department of DRC Afghanistan. DDG delivers a full package of mine action services, including non-technical and technical survey, explosive ordnance risk education, mine clearance (manual and mechanical), battle area clearance, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
DDG Mine Action staff have significant experience and expertise, and the primary role of the HMA-Advisor is to build on existing local capacity thus ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in HMA and EOD both operationally and in training. In doing so, the HMA-Advisor will make certain that DDG Mine Action projects are compliant with national (AMAS) and international (IMAS) mine action standards as well as DDG’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies and procedures.
Given the security situation, the HMA-Advisor is primarily an office-based positon. In the course of the HMA-Advisor’s duties, he/she will develop in cooperation with the Mine Action Manager (MAM) detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities (such as the DMAC and UNMAS), ensure that operations are adequately staffed with well-qualified personnel, monitor all field activities for quality and safety through visits to project sites (security dependent), identify and deliver relevant training and capacity building, advise on equipment/assets, update training packages/plans and relevant documentation, and contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals.
The HMA-Advisor reports directly to DDG’s Head of Programme (HoP) in Afghanistan and has a technical line to DDG’s Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Manager. The HMA-Advisor works directly with the MAM and Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) and plays key role in facilitating exchanges and coordination between QA and Operations Departments. The HMA-Advisor will have exceptional people skills to effectively build relationships with colleagues, partners and local authorities in a challenging context. It is also important that the HMA-Advisor is self-reliant and demonstrates a high level of initiative, flexibility and an open-minded approach to integrated mine action-development activities as well as gender and diversity mainstreaming.
Previous experience of working in a senior technical position within a similar organisation and environment is desirable. A patient, tactful and diplomatic style will be required for success.
Main Responsibilities:
Quality and Technical Supervision of Mine Action Activities:
Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and quality are maintained in all operations according to NTSG and DDG standards.
Daily advice and supervision of operational activity, including analysing operational statistics and reporting.
Advising on Planning, monitoring and evaluation of all MA activities including:
i. Advising the MAM in the planning and tasking of operational assets
ii. Advising the MAM on the correct and appropriate deployment of operational assets
iii. Monitoring the procedures and quality assurance of operations in close coordination with QAM and MAM
Monitor and analyse productivity achieved and recommend methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effective operations to be conducted in the programme.
Identify in coordination with STA, MAM, QAM and HoP new technologies/methodologies that will contribute to increased operational efficiency and safety. Advise on Internal QA of mine, EOD, NTS, TS and RE teams and providing corrective action where necessary in close coordination with QAM and MAM.
Assist the MAM with the delivery of support service functions specifically the Supply Chain Manager, in developing plans for procuring supplies and equipment required, and with meeting the communications and transport needs of the field teams.
Advise on DDG’s mechanical demining activities, including maintenance, training, deployment, and SOP development/updating to the extent that experience allows.
Advise on Risk Education and Non-Technical Survey activities to the extent that experience allows
Staff Capacity and Development
Deliver and monitor where applicable training to build capacity within the national staff in consultation with the MAM, QAM, STA, Training Specialist and Head of Programme.
In coordination with the STA, MAM and QAM participate in the revision of SOPs and training packages – ensuring up to date documents based on DDG GOPs
Technical and Strategic Advice to DDG HoP:
Advise and develop DDG’s approach to engagement with Abandoned Improvised Mine (AIM) clearance to the extent that experience allows.
Support the DDG HoP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.
Identify in coordination with MAM and HoP areas for strategic and business development
Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports
External Relations:
Ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
Ensure that the prioritisation set by the DMAC, UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operational activities.
Support capacity building of local NGO partners and national authorities through training and mentoring
In coordination with MAM, attend, support and participate in relevant technical working group meetings with the NMAA and any other relevant meetings/trainings.
Assist the HoP in donor liaison when required.
Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, and other fields of interest, including development agencies.
ABOUT YOU:
To be successful in this role you must have:
Essential Experience and Technical Competencies:
• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements (IMAS, NTSG, SOPs).
• IMAS EOD 3 qualifications and previous work experience as an Operations Manager/Technical Advisor/Technical Field Manager.
• Proven management/advisory experience gained in a range of settings.
• Experience with operational 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.
• 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 Experience and Technical Competencies:
• Previous working experience in Afghanistan, or a context similar to Afghanistan.
• Previous working experience with mechanical demining assets
• Knowledge of supply chain systems.
• Knowledge of remote management and advising
Education and Qualification:
IMAS EOD 3/3+ qualifications.
Languages:
Fluency in English
Key competencies:
Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process
Collaboration: 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 act in line with DRC-DDG vision and values.
Conditions:
Availability: by February 2020
Duty station: Kabul with up to 20% travel to field offices (where required)
We offer:
DRC will offer the successful applicant a 1 year contract, renewable dependent on both
funding and performance.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for expatriate staff.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId... . All applicants must send a cover
letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this
vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.
Applications close on 12 January 2020.
Closing date: 12 Jan 2020
ABOUT THE JOB:
Danish Demining Group (DDG) is the humanitarian mine action unit of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). DDG has operated in Afghanistan since 1999, initially beginning operations in Kandahar province, before moving its headquarters to its current location in Kabul. Since 2012, it has been a fully integrated department of DRC Afghanistan. DDG delivers a full package of mine action services, including non-technical and technical survey, explosive ordnance risk education, mine clearance (manual and mechanical), battle area clearance, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
DDG Mine Action staff have significant experience and expertise, and the primary role of the HMA-Advisor is to build on existing local capacity thus ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in HMA and EOD both operationally and in training. In doing so, the HMA-Advisor will make certain that DDG Mine Action projects are compliant with national (AMAS) and international (IMAS) mine action standards as well as DDG’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies and procedures.
Given the security situation, the HMA-Advisor is primarily an office-based positon. In the course of the HMA-Advisor’s duties, he/she will develop in cooperation with the Mine Action Manager (MAM) detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities (such as the DMAC and UNMAS), ensure that operations are adequately staffed with well-qualified personnel, monitor all field activities for quality and safety through visits to project sites (security dependent), identify and deliver relevant training and capacity building, advise on equipment/assets, update training packages/plans and relevant documentation, and contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals.
The HMA-Advisor reports directly to DDG’s Head of Programme (HoP) in Afghanistan and has a technical line to DDG’s Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Manager. The HMA-Advisor works directly with the MAM and Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) and plays key role in facilitating exchanges and coordination between QA and Operations Departments. The HMA-Advisor will have exceptional people skills to effectively build relationships with colleagues, partners and local authorities in a challenging context. It is also important that the HMA-Advisor is self-reliant and demonstrates a high level of initiative, flexibility and an open-minded approach to integrated mine action-development activities as well as gender and diversity mainstreaming.
Previous experience of working in a senior technical position within a similar organisation and environment is desirable. A patient, tactful and diplomatic style will be required for success.
Main Responsibilities:
Quality and Technical Supervision of Mine Action Activities:
Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and quality are maintained in all operations according to NTSG and DDG standards.
Daily advice and supervision of operational activity, including analysing operational statistics and reporting.
Advising on Planning, monitoring and evaluation of all MA activities including:
i. Advising the MAM in the planning and tasking of operational assets
ii. Advising the MAM on the correct and appropriate deployment of operational assets
iii. Monitoring the procedures and quality assurance of operations in close coordination with QAM and MAM
Monitor and analyse productivity achieved and recommend methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effective operations to be conducted in the programme.
Identify in coordination with STA, MAM, QAM and HoP new technologies/methodologies that will contribute to increased operational efficiency and safety. Advise on Internal QA of mine, EOD, NTS, TS and RE teams and providing corrective action where necessary in close coordination with QAM and MAM.
Assist the MAM with the delivery of support service functions specifically the Supply Chain Manager, in developing plans for procuring supplies and equipment required, and with meeting the communications and transport needs of the field teams.
Advise on DDG’s mechanical demining activities, including maintenance, training, deployment, and SOP development/updating to the extent that experience allows.
Advise on Risk Education and Non-Technical Survey activities to the extent that experience allows
Staff Capacity and Development
Deliver and monitor where applicable training to build capacity within the national staff in consultation with the MAM, QAM, STA, Training Specialist and Head of Programme.
In coordination with the STA, MAM and QAM participate in the revision of SOPs and training packages – ensuring up to date documents based on DDG GOPs
Technical and Strategic Advice to DDG HoP:
Advise and develop DDG’s approach to engagement with Abandoned Improvised Mine (AIM) clearance to the extent that experience allows.
Support the DDG HoP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.
Identify in coordination with MAM and HoP areas for strategic and business development
Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports
External Relations:
Ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
Ensure that the prioritisation set by the DMAC, UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operational activities.
Support capacity building of local NGO partners and national authorities through training and mentoring
In coordination with MAM, attend, support and participate in relevant technical working group meetings with the NMAA and any other relevant meetings/trainings.
Assist the HoP in donor liaison when required.
Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, and other fields of interest, including development agencies.
ABOUT YOU:
To be successful in this role you must have:
Essential Experience and Technical Competencies:
• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements (IMAS, NTSG, SOPs).
• IMAS EOD 3 qualifications and previous work experience as an Operations Manager/Technical Advisor/Technical Field Manager.
• Proven management/advisory experience gained in a range of settings.
• Experience with operational 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.
• 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 Experience and Technical Competencies:
• Previous working experience in Afghanistan, or a context similar to Afghanistan.
• Previous working experience with mechanical demining assets
• Knowledge of supply chain systems.
• Knowledge of remote management and advising
Education and Qualification:
IMAS EOD 3/3+ qualifications.
Languages:
Fluency in English
Key competencies:
Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process
Collaboration: 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 act in line with DRC-DDG vision and values.
Conditions:
Availability: by February 2020
Duty station: Kabul with up to 20% travel to field offices (where required)
We offer:
DRC will offer the successful applicant a 1 year contract, renewable dependent on both
funding and performance.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for expatriate staff.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId... . All applicants must send a cover
letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this
vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.
Applications close on 12 January 2020.