Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Manager

DanChurchAid (DCA) invites applications for a Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Manager (HMA OM) for its Iraq programme. This is a non-family position, mainly based in Ninewa and Erbil Governorates, Iraq.

As the HMA OM, you will report directly to the Country Director (CD) and with a technical reference to the Chief technical Advisor (CTA) in DCA HQ. The OM’s main role and responsibility is to capacity build a DCA national partner organisation to be able to conduct its own HMA operations. This will involve overseeing survey and clearance operations in Ninewa Governorate and to ensure the integration of the different Mine Action activities. This will include writing/updating SOPs, recruiting and training staff, overseeing the procurement and delivery of equipment, and obtaining all necessary taskings and permissions (as appropriate). You will be responsible for site safety, QA/QC where appropriate, and ensuring that donor targets are met.

Main technical tasks and responsibilities include:

• Capacity build, mentor and support, search- and clearance staff, ensuring incorporation of best practices. Conduct personnel skills gap assessments and initiate relevant training.
• Operate in accordance with the country specific SOPs and adapt/develop new appropriate SOPs (under overall approval of DCA HQ), as and when required.
• Prepare Concept of Operations, based on humanitarian needs, humanitarian principles, donor requirements and programme capabilities.
• Provide technical oversight of relevant field operations of the components within the programme for which you are responsible, including training, safety and security, daily operational planning and implementation.
• Recruit relevant national staff and ensure relevant induction of personnel into DCA policies and processes.
• Manage the direction and discipline of all operational staff including international and local staff under your line management.
• Undertake technical assessment of survey and clearance needs and gaps and suggest potential changes to strategy and implementation.
• Implement quality management systems that support efficient and effective operations.
• Ensure survey and clearance activity reporting (including IMSMA forms) is accurate and timely, in close collaboration with the relevant coordination bodies, including DCA HQ, Directorate Mine Action (DMA) and United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
• Ensure impact monitoring is conducted regularly and to a high standard, and data is analyzed and used to improve interventions.
• Coordinate all survey and clearance activities together with RE activities.
• Follow survey and clearance related budgets and ensure budget lines are not exceeded.
• Stay informed and current on new techniques, manuals and devices relating to Humanitarian Mine Action.
• Take part in an accident/incident board of inquiry if required.
• Provide the project officer and CD with technical inputs for donor updates, reports and future proposals.
• Coordinate with other Mine Action operators in the area.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Provide operational input to proposals and reports, and ensure all technical reporting is conducted in a timely manner and to a high standard.
• Represent DCA in relevant coordination bodies.
• Closely coordinate with the Mine Action Sub Cluster, Directorate Mine Action (DMA) and other mine action actors to ensure DCA Clearance activities and interventions are coordinated and timely.
• Assist CD to identify new business opportunities.
• Closely coordinate with other departments within DCA to ensure maximum impact for beneficiary communities.
• Develop and drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all mine action projects.
• Be a role model for diversity and inclusion, as well as a positive role model for contributing to the team spirit.
• Actively mainstream gender in all mine action activities.
• Working in accordance with DCA values and humanitarian principles.

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• IMAS IEDD level 3+ qualification is required (NATO standard or IMAS equivalent) with certificates from organisations that can demonstrate compliance with those standards.
• Minimum 3 years international experience in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) is essential with proven experience of national capacity building, programme start up including Risk Education, Survey and Clearance components.
• Regional (MENA) experience working in the field of HMA.
• The successful applicant will need to show knowledge and experience of EOD/ERW/IEDD clearance methodologies.
• Experience of drafting SOPs and/or incorporating best practice into SOPs.
• Knowledge of and experience in IMAS, IMSMA, Non-Technical Survey, Community Liaison, Mine Clearance and Risk Education is essential.
• Computer literacy essential including proficiency in excel, word, power point, mapping tools etc.
• Fluency in English is a must, and a working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
• Ability to fit well within a small yet diverse team.

We offer:

• 12 month contract; with possibility for renewal
• A competitive salary package including hardship and cost of living allowance;
• 30 work days of paid annual leave;
• A generous R&R allowance;
• Insurance as per industry standards;
• An interesting and challenging experience addressing humanitarian needs.

All qualified candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. Only online applications consisting as a minimum of a CV (two pages max) and a cover letter (one page max) will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications will be 10th of December 2020 and interviews are expected to be held in the coming two weeks up to Christmas. However, please note that interviews might be held on a rolling basis and DCA reserves the right to select a candidate prior to the deadline.Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.

DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us.