Chief of Operations – occupied Palestinian Territory At Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

Place: Jerusalem, Occupied Palestinian Territories
Starting date: January 2024
Duration of contract: 3 months, renewable
Closing date for applications: 3rd January 2024

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview.

JOB CONTEXT:
The Palestine mission is part of the Mashriq regional programme, which covers Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. HI in 2023 has been implementing a mix of humanitarian and development projects in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The new conflict between Hamas and Israel in October 2023 has created a major humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and growing needs and access constraints in the West Bank HI has launched some emergency activities in both areas and is planning to scale up his response in the coming months, both for the emergency phase during the conflict and for the recovery phase after a ceasefire. As armed violence transcends separate sectors, a comprehensive cross-sector response is needed. This requires HI practitioners to think outside their particular programming mandates and to consider the entirety of the challenges at hand.

Complex situations require comprehensive approaches. HI implements a so-called Comprehensive Models to Mine Action (CAMA) and to Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) to maximize the benefits of a given project to contribute to a world where people can lead safe and fulfilling lives in peaceful and inclusive communities. HI AVR unit deals directly with the instruments of war, their impact and root causes by:
– THREAT ELIMINATION;
– CAPACITY BUILDING AND SUPPORT TO LOCAL AND STATE CAPACITIES;
– IMPROVED SAFETY;
– TECHNICAL SUPPORT;
– VICTIM ASSISTANCE;
– CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION;
– ADVOCACY.

A key component of this mandate is supporting Humanitarian Mine Action coordination.

Working with support from HQ Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) Land Release Specialists and general direction and line management from the Program Director, the Chief of Operations (or Land Release Project Manager) leads the implementation of Humanity & Inclusion’s mine action operational strategy in the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT). They draw on global and national best practices in all elements of Humanitarian Mine Action, training, external cooperation and beyond, to enhance and steer HI’s Mine Action efforts. While providing technical expertise to the program as well as the Mine Action projects, they ensure all programmatic, operational, and strategical elements comply with all the relevant international/national standards and internal SOPs.

YOUR MISSION:
Mission 1. Oversee EO-related safety and awareness aspects across the Palestine Program:

– Support all relevant HI and partners field activities, including humanitarian access and security (HAS), in the distribution of effective and relevant EO related awareness and safe practices;
– Provide direct advice to the Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (HASM) and Atlas Logistique HASM on EO related security matters and threat assessments;
– With direct liaison and support to UNWRA/UNMAS, ensure all activities are safely executed and are within HI’s mandate, insurance requirements and SOPs;
– Identify training needs and skill gaps of HI staff in relation to EO awareness;
– Provide or facilitate EO relevant training where applicable.

Mission 2. Contribute to AVR and land release strategy development:

– Assess needs, feasibility, opportunities, and risks of potential land release activities in oPT;
– Contribute to the development of HI’s AVR strategy in oPT;
– Monitors implementation of HI’s land release strategy in oPT;
– Stays abreast of EO related trends in oPT and their impact on conflict-affected populations.

Mission 3. Provide guidance and technical support to Land Release components of AVR projects:

– Responsible for development and update of technical guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for NTS and clearance activities, under the technical supervision of HI’s EOD Specialists in HQ;
– Provide appropriate technical guidance (including tools) on land release;
– Develop documents for accreditation (certification) of land release activities;
– Contribute to the integration of land release with other AVR and non-AVR activities;
– Advise the Technical Unit on technical EO and land release aspects relevant for HI’s EORE and Victom Assistance interventions, including for the design and update of training packages;
– Provide EO expertise to support Global HQ EORE Specialists and National EORE PMs and agents with EORE/CPP messaging and materials;
– Provide support for data analysis, together with the MEAL team.

Mission 4. Develop future NTS and clearance capacities:

– Develop the implementation plan for phases of land release interventions (staff recruitment plan, training plan, supply plan, financial plan) with the support and guidance of HR, finance, and logistics department;
– Lead the recruitment, inception and management of any future clearance capacities;
– Support AVR Project Managers in the recruitment and onboarding of NTS field staff, and supports THOP in integration of NTS capacity in EORE teams when relevant;
– Design training packages on land release (including NTS), and oversees the organisation and delivery of the training;
– Contribute to the drafting of new proposals for new opportunities under their technical scope.

Mission 5. Ensure external coordination and compliance:

– Liaises and coordinates with UN Agencies, Stakeholders, mine action authorities and operators on LR topics, in close collaboration with the Technical Unit and AVR Project Managers;
– Support HI’s representation in and, when necessary and/or topically relevant, represents HI in the Gaza Protection Consortium, Mine Action Area of Responsibility, mine action working groups and other external forums or events in support to the AVR Specialist;
– Ensure that all relevant national, regional, and local permissions are in place for HI’s land release activities;
– Oversee accreditation (certification) processes for land release activities, in conjunction with other departments (HR, Finance, Logistics…).

YOUR PROFILE:
Essential qualifications
– Relevant and certified EOD and IEDD qualification to fulfil organizational needs;
– IMAS Level 3+ qualification from accredited school or organisation;
– Experience in NGOs and humanitarian settings.

Experience and competencies:
– Experience in planning, managing and supervising/controlling survey, and clearance operations;
– A thorough understanding of international mine action standards;
– Experience in the field of training / professional training;
– Understanding of project management tools and previous experience in project design;
– Experience in data collection and data management / community liaison;
– Operating in arduous conditions.

CONDITIONS:
At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team