Overall Purpose Of The Role:

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is the humanitarian mine action unit of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). DDG has operated in Somalia initially beginning operations in Somaliland, before moving its headquarters to its current location in Mogadishu. Since 2007, it has been a fully integrated department of DRC Somalia, and is considered a technical unit within DRC. Globally, DDG has two key focus areas, this includes Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and Armed Violence Reduction (AVR). Within the HMA, DDG delivers a full package of mine action services, including non-technical and technical survey, explosive ordnance risk education, mine clearance (manual and mechanical), battle area clearance, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). Within the AVR sector, the focus is on Governance, Safety and Security, Stabilization and Youth-engagement. Within DRC DDG Somalia, the AVR programme is the more dominant sector, while the HMA sector focuses predominantly in MRE and capacity building in EOD and NTS.

DDG Mine Action staff have significant experience and expertise, and the primary role of the HMA-Advisor is to build on existing local capacity thus ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in HMA and EOD both operationally and in training. In doing so, the HMA-Advisor will make certain that DDG Mine Action projects are compliant with international (IMAS) mine action standards as well as DDG’s standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies and procedures.

Given the security situation, the HMA-Advisor is primarily an office-based position. In the course of the HMA-Advisor’s duties, he/she will develop detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities (such as the UNMAS, SEMA and EOD Police), monitor and QA field activities for quality and safety through visits to project sites (security dependent), develop/update functioning QA system within the organization/teams, identify and deliver relevant training and capacity building, advise on equipment/assets, update training packages/plans and relevant documentation, deliver training packages, and contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals.

The HMA-Advisor reports directly to DDG’s Head of Programme (HoP) in Somalia and has a technical line to DDG’s Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Advisor. The HMA-Advisor works directly with the HOP and plays key role in facilitating exchanges and coordination between DDG and Somalia Police EOD Team/s. The HMA-Advisor will have exceptional people skills to effectively build relationships with colleagues, partners and local authorities in a challenging context. It is also important that the HMA-Advisor is self-reliant and demonstrates a high level of initiative, flexibility and an open-minded approach to integrated mine action-development activities as well as gender and diversity mainstreaming.

Previous experience of working in a senior technical position within a similar organisation and environment is desirable. A patient, tactful and diplomatic style will be required for success.
Responsibilities

Quality and Technical Supervision of Mine Action Activities:

• Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and quality are maintained in all operations according to NTSG and DDG standards.
• Daily advice and supervision of operational activity, including analysing operational statistics and reporting.
• Advising on Planning, monitoring and evaluation of all MA activities including:i. Advising the HOP in the planning and tasking of operational assets
  ii. Advising the HOP on the correct and appropriate deployment of operational assets
  iii. Monitoring the procedures and quality assurance of operations in close coordination with Somalia Police EOD
• Monitor and analyse productivity achieved and recommend methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effective operations to be conducted in the programme.
• Identify in coordination with STA, GOA and HoP new technologies/methodologies that will contribute to increased operational efficiency and safety. Advise on QA of training, EOD and RE teams and providing corrective action where necessary in close coordination with STA.

Staff Capacity and Development

• Deliver and monitor where applicable training to build capacity within the national staff in consultation with the STA and Head of Programme.
• In coordination with the STA participate in the revision of SOPs and training packages – ensuring up to date documents based on DDG GOPs

Technical and Strategic Advice to DDG HoP:

• Support the DDG HoP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.
• Identify in coordination with GOA and HoP areas for strategic and business development
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports

External Relations:

• Ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Ensure that the prioritisation set by the UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operational activities.
• Support capacity building of local NGO partners and national authorities through training and mentoring
• In coordination with MAM, attend, support and participate in relevant technical working group meetings with the NMAA and any other relevant meetings/trainings.
• Assist the HoP in donor liaison when required.
• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, and other fields of interest, including development agencies.

About you
To be successful in this role, we expect you to be a positive, mature leader with a proven track record of developing effective initiatives, Programmes, and impact.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate each of DRC’ five core competencies:
• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You are a strong networker and enjoy working with many different types of stakeholders, you involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while balancing the role of advisor and taking leadership
• Communicating: You write and speak effectively and honestly and display political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Essential Experience and Technical Competencies:

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements (IMAS, NTSG, SOPs).
• IMAS EOD 3 qualifications and previous work experience as a Technical Advisor/Technical Field Manager/Field Trainor.
• Proven management/advisory experience gained in a range of settings.
• Experience with operational accreditation to IMAS standard.
• Proven record of training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts.
• Experience of working in insecure environments.
• Diplomatic, patient and persistent.
• 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 Experience and Technical Competencies:

• Previous working experience in Somalia, or a context similar to Somalia.
• Previous working experience with SOPs
• Knowledge of remote management and advising

Conditions

Availability: 24th February 2020

Duty station: Baidoa – Somalia; this is a non-family and unaccompanied positon.

Reporting: Head of Programme

Duration: 8th months until 24th October 2020.

Contract: Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies graded as Non-Manager Band M.G level 1.

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.