Humanitarian Mine Action Manager – Ukraine

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote sustainable solutions for displaced people.

DRC has been active in Ukraine since 2014. Currently, DRC has over 800 staff in Ukraine and will continue to scale up significantly in 2024 to implement emergency assistance in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, through direct interventions, support to duty-bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue to develop and adapt its portfolio of sustainable solutions to the changing context.

DRC is currently looking for a Manager Humanitarian Mine Action tTo strengthen our team in Kiev, the HMA Manager is responsible for supporting and assisting the Operations Manager (OM) in the duties and responsibilities of the OM.

Your main duties and responsibilities are:

External Relations and Representation:

• Regular participation in all coordination meetings organised by the NMAA/MAC as well as with all other relevant stakeholders.
• Representation of the organization in all mine countermeasures working groups dealing with the technical aspects of operations.
• Develop a professional working relationship with national authorities and other bodies involved in mine action and related disciplines.
• Ensure that NMAA/MAC prioritization and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders are taken into account during the strategic planning and operational work plan processes.
• Support and advise land management on operational matters and ensure that accreditation of activities with authorities is obtained and maintained.
• Support the OM in the strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and, if necessary, support the HoP in contacts with donors.
• Together with OM, assist in proposing changes and improvements to technical procedures and standards to Head Office for approval prior to implementation.

Operational management:

• Ensure that, as directed by the OM, the priorities set by the NMAA/MAC are taken into account in the planning and execution of operational activities.
• Ensure that all task selections are made in accordance with the HDP task prioritisation table. Ensure that consultation with area/programme managers is completed, taking into account broader sector programming priorities before requests for task allocation are submitted.
• Ensure that the highest possible safety and security standards are maintained in all operations.
• Manage, control and supervise the TAs and Coordinators and ensure that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job description and assigned tasks.
• Monitor and analyse achieved productivity and advise on methods and practices to improve productivity. This ensures that the work within the programme is carried out cost-effectively.
• Support support services in developing appropriate operational support plans (e.g. procurement planning). Purchase of team equipment and supplies is made in accordance with procurement plans and budgets.
• Make sure the teams have sufficient equipment.
• Conduct regular QA visits to all teams and ensure that the TA, supervisors and the teams perform exercises in accordance with the HDP SOPs
• Promote a safety culture and safe and effective methods for clearing and destroying ordnance.

Other:

• Maintain and develop SOPs, work plans and other relevant operational documentation as directed by the OM and implement changes to the program accordingly.
• Recruit and manage HMA technical staff.
• Work directly with the HDP Global Senior Technical Advisor, Global Operations Advisor and HDP HMA Operations Manager in analyzing lessons learned in a country to support other programs at the regional and global level, and vice versa.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to:Minimum 5 years of experience in HMA and full knowledge of the technical requirements and minimum 3 years of experience in people management. In addition, we also expect the following:

• IMAS IEDD Advanced Operator or High Threat Search Advisor certification
• Experience with accreditation according to the IMAS standard.
• Demonstrable track record in training national staff and the ability to train and mentor national colleagues.
• Experience working in unsafe environments.
• Diplomatic, patient and persistent.
• Fluent English in speech and writing.
• Good knowledge of MS Office.
• Willingness to embrace and further develop common objectives such as gender equality, impact monitoring and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Previous work experience as Operations Manager.
• Demonstrable management experience gained in diverse environments.

In this role you will be expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process.
• To collaborate: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take responsibility and initiative and strive for innovation.
• Communicate: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrate integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct with respect to our values ​​and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract duration: 12 months, with a 3-month trial period.
• Indication of location: Kiev (with frequent trips to all operational areas of the HDP in Ukraine).
• Start date: November
• Salary and employment conditions are in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s employment conditions.