Operations Manager At Danish Refugee Council

DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified English and Spanish speaking Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Manager for a 12-month contract (renewable depending on funding) in Colombia. This is an opportunity for an experienced Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) professional to support DRC HDP operations in Colombia.

DRC established operational presence in Colombia in 2011 with focus on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and providing support to conflict-affected population in the south of the country. With the onset of the large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the Venezuelan crisis, DRC started up an integrated humanitarian response in 2018 to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities. Hence, DRC has been able to assist the Colombian population, Venezuelan refugees, migrants and host communities through its integrated humanitarian response. Primarily based on protection activities (protection monitoring, individual protection assistance, community-based protection, prevention and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and legal assistance), the response also includes components of Camp Coordination and Camp Management (Transit camp of Maicao), Economic Recovery (Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), cash for Rent and Livelihoods), Food and Non-Food Items distributions. Lastly, DRC conducts Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) programming in Caquetá and Nariño. Currently, DRC Colombia’s programming is taking place in the Caribbean coastal areas (Maicao, Riohacha and Barranquilla), urban centers (Bogota, Cundinamarca and Medellin), in Nariño and Caquetá.

DRC has been implementing Humanitarian Mine Action since April 2018 in Colombia through the Danish Demining Group (DDG), now DRC HDP. As of today, DRC deploys full capacities on Community Liaison/EORE, Non-Technical and Technical surveys and clearance in 7 municipalities (San José del Fragua, Belen de los Andaquies, Curillo, Solano and Milan in Caquetá and in Tablón de Gomez and San Bernardo in Nariño). DRC is currently expecting new assignations in other departments.

About the Job

The HMA Operations Manager has the primary function of providing technical guidance to and oversight of the international and national staff under his/her responsibility. The purpose of providing this technical guidance is to develop the capacity and technical knowledge of the national staff within DRC and ensure quality management of operations. The objective of building technical knowledge and capacity within the national staff is to ensure that the correct and safe Mine Action practices are followed, and sustainable supervision and management capacity is developed within the organisation.

The HMA Operations Manager will work with national staff who have substantial technical experience and have been working with DRC or recently integrated. His/her role is to support their capacities and to monitor and ensure that tasks and responsibilities are carried out correctly, efficiently and effectively. The HMA Operations Manager is also to develop the existing work modalities and SOPs to ensure effective program delivery and efficient operations. S/he will focus on planning, operational statistics, information management, analysing new tools, equipment methodologies and innovative approaches.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Planning, delivery and quality management of all DRC Mine Action Colombia’s survey and clearance operations inclusive of: non-technical survey (NTS), technical survey, Manual Mine Clearance, EOD and CL/EORE.
• Daily management and supervision of the operational activities, including:
  • Planning and tasking of operational assets
  • Ensuring the correct and appropriate deployment of operational assets
  • Monitoring the procedures and quality assurance of operations, including internal quality assurance of clearance, EOD, NTS and RE/CL teams and providing corrective action where necessary.
• Design and implement an internal Quality Management (QM) structure that includes monitoring the impact of DRC HD&P programming as well as productivity (outputs).
• Ensure that priorities set by the DRC HDP programme and the Descontamina Colombia are met, and the requirements of the donors and beneficiaries are taken into consideration.
• Accountable for DRC Mine Action Colombia programme adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and for conducting operations in accordance with DRC Humanitarian Demining Global Framework, International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Standards.
• Mentor, manage, monitor and supervise the national staff ensuring that they carry out their duties in a responsible manner in accordance with SOPs, international/national standards and their job descriptions.
• Ensure the accreditation and training of all operational assets in line with DRC Humanitarian Demining ’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the National standards.
• Monitor and analyse productivity and ensure recommendations for improvement are subsequently met, and ensure that prioritisation of selected tasks is effective and guarantees efficient utilisation of existing resources.
• Deliver and monitor, where applicable, technical training to build capacity within the national staff in consultation with the DRC Mine Action Head of Programme. This includes reviewing and updating of training plans and packages.
• Implement security measures in accordance with the security plan, coordinate with the DRC Safety Team, and keep relevant HQ personnel informed of the local security situation.
• Advising and ensuring that appropriate support services (Logistics, HR, Finance, and Administration) are in place and serving the mine action teams adequately.
• Ensure regular communication with and reporting to DRC HD&P Head of Programme and relevant HQ technical staff on matters related to program planning and implementation.
• Any other task as assigned by the DRC HDP Head of Programme.

Team Management

• Provide strong leadership to staff managed by the OM with oversight and management of DRC expatriate and national staff in the unit.
• Ensure appraisal/evaluation of staff performance.

Liaison and Representation

• Liaise with Mine Action authorities, and other organisations active in MA.
• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, and other fields of interest, including development agencies.
• Support and advise DRC HDP Head of Programme (HoP) in operational matters and ensure accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support with strategic planning and implementation of all MA projects.
• Support the Head of Programme in the identification of new programming opportunities and provide technical input to concept notes and proposals.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and assist the HoP in donor liaison when required.

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as well as the following:

Required

• Min. 3 years working experience in similar positions
• Min. 5 years’ previous experience in Mine Action sector and full understanding of its technical requirements
• Proven understanding of IMAS, NMAS, SOPs and land release principles
• Hands-on experience with survey, manual clearance, EOD and EORE;
• Experience as a trainer and supervisor of technical staff in the area of EOD, survey and clearance is required;
• IMAS EOD level 3 certification
• At least 5 years’ experience in people management;
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management;
• Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources and administration management;
• Experience with relevant Mine Action donors guidelines
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills;
• Good computer skills including proficiency in using Excel, Word, Access, Google Earth and GIS;
• Full proficiency in Spanish and in English;
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation.

Desirable

• Calm and diplomatic in nature;
• Effective team-player;
• Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines;
• Track record of establishing and maintaining effective professional relations with relevant stakeholders, in particular mine action authorities as well as national and international mine action implementing partners;
• Good knowledge of UN International Ammunition Technical Guidelines;
• Hands on experience with survey and clearance of Improvised Explosive Devices;
• First Aid training and knowledge of medical response requirements in mine action.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months renewable depending on funding.

Level: Senior Management, E

Designation of Duty Station: Bogotá with frequent travels to other areas of intervention, Family duty station – accompanied. All lodging on the office compound will be offered to the successful applicant.

Start date: As soon as possible and no later than 15 August

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for international staff in Colombia. For questions regarding the vacancy: diana.martinez@drc.ngo. Applications sent by email will not be considered.