DRC has been implementing Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) activities in Afghanistan since 1998, including programmes in Social Cohesion/Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). HMA operations include, but are not limited to, Emergency Victim Assistance (EVA), Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Non-Technical Survey (NTS) and Technical Survey (TS), clearance activities - including Abandoned Improvised Mines (AIM), and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). DRC’s HDP programmes currently operate across four regions nationwide.

The HMA Operations Manager (HMA OM) is primarily responsible for ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained across all HMA activities, and that operations are conducted in compliance with national, international, and DRC-HDP standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and guidelines.

The HMA OM contributes technical expertise and input to donor proposals, develops detailed operational plans in close coordination with national authorities (including NMAAs and NMACs), and ensures that operations are adequately staffed with qualified personnel. The role also involves monitoring field activities through regular site visits and preparing reports for a range of stakeholders.

Overall, the HMA OM is accountable for all aspects of HMA operations within DRC Afghanistan, managing technical staff to ensure activities are delivered effectively, safely, and in accordance with required standards, while maintaining strong coordination and collaboration with Area Managers

Responsibilities:

Operations Management:

• Ensure the highest technical standards of safety and security are maintained across all operations.

• Plan, monitor, and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.

• Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with Area Managers.

• Ensure relevant non-HMA staff in Area Offices have the necessary basic understanding to support HMA operations.

• Oversee the safe storage and handling of explosives, including within warehouse facilities.

• Ensuring prioritisation is reflected in the planning and implementation of operational activities.

• Manage, monitor, and supervise HMA Mine Action Managers, ensuring duties are carried out in line with job descriptions and assigned tasks.

• Monitor and analyse productivity, recommending methods and practices to improve efficiency and ensure cost-effective programme delivery.

• Lead the planning and monitoring of training and capacity building for national operational staff, with the aim of strengthening their roles.

• Maintain and update SOPs, workplans, and other operational documentation, implementing changes as required.

• Support Area Office HMA Managers in developing appropriate operational support plans (e.g. procurement planning).

• Ensure monthly operational output reports are submitted to HDP Copenhagen HQ.

• Ensure the Quality Management System is implemented and effective under the direction of the QA Manager.

• Conduct regular QA/QC visits to all teams, ensuring compliance with HDP SOPs and proper execution of drills.

• Maintain records of all staff training in coordination with the HMA Training Specialist.

• Maintain a detailed logbook of all EOD tasks conducted.

• Promote a strong safety culture and effective methods of munitions clearance and disposal.

• Collect and retain technical information on munitions and maintain an information library; under no circumstances conduct or permit forensic analysis of weapon functionality.

• Lead and manage accident investigations when required.

External Relations:

• Advise and support country management on operational matters, ensuring accreditation is achieved and maintained with relevant authorities.

• Support the HDP Manager in the strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.

• Contribute to the development of donor proposals and reports, and support donor liaison as required.

• Develop and maintain professional, collaborative relationships with national authorities and other mine action stakeholders.

• Ensure prioritisation, as well as the activities of other operators and stakeholders, are reflected in strategic planning and operational workplans.

• Support the HDP Manager in proposing improvements to technical procedures and standards, ensuring HQ authorisation prior to implementation.

Other:

• Recruit and manage HMA technical staff.

• Work directly with the HMA Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Manager in analysing lessons learned from country to support other programmes regionally and globally, and vice versa.

• Conduct annual appraisals of staff as directed by the HDP Manager and HR.

• Conduct a training needs analysis and create a capacity-building strategy based on the findings of the analysis.

• Cover for the HDP Manager when required.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements.

• IMAS EOD 3 qualifications and previous work experience in Operations Management.

• Proven management experience gained in a range of settings.

• Experience with accreditation to IMAS/NMAS.

• Proven record of training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts.

• Experience of working in insecure environments.

• Skills in diplomacy, patience and persistence.

• 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

• Knowledge of Armed Violence Reduction concepts and programming.

• Knowledge of Supply Chain systems.

• Knowledge of Budget Management and Staff Allocation management

Education/qualifications:

IMAS EOD 3 qualifications.

Languages:

• Fluent in English

• Pashto and/or Dari –fluency desirable

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC salary scale

How to apply

Application process: Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language.

Click here to apply

Note: only applications (CV) will not be considered.