Back DDG Operation Manager

Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and migrants. DRC/DDG is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Operations Manager for a 12-month contract (renewable for depending on funding) in Colombia. This is an opportunity for an experienced Humanitarian Mine Action professional to support DDG Mine Action operations in Colombia.

About the job

DRC/DDG has been present in Colombia since 2011, focused on capacity-building, setting up of mine action programming and providing support to conflict-affected populations in the south of the country. The onset of large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the Venezuela crisis requires a major integrated humanitarian response to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities.

The Danish Demining Group (DDG) has been active in Colombia since late 2010. With an office set up in Bogota and an operational base in San Jose del Fragua, Caquetá department, DDG’s presence in Colombia is about to complete 10 years. Between 2014 and 2016, DDG was involved in a significant capacity building project and provided technical support to the Colombian government in Land Release, Technical Demining, National Standards and Impact Monitoring. DDG saw its Humanitarian Mine Action desk accreditation renewed in 2019.

Since April 2018 the organization has deployed Community Liaison/MRE and NTS capacities in two municipalities in Caquetá - San Jose del Fragua and Belen de los Andaquies. DDG has also initiated deployment of 3 clearance teams in the four Confirmed Hazardous Areas (CHA) and one Suspected Hazardous Area (SHA) identified so far in the municipalities. DDG will soon start operations in Tablón de Gomez and San Bernardo in Nariño department.

The Operations Manager has the primary function of providing technical guidance to and oversight of the 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 DDG 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 OM will work with national staff who have substantial technical experience and have been working with DDG 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 OM 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, analyzing new tools, equipment methodologies and innovative approaches.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Planning, delivery and quality management of all DDG Colombia’s survey and clearance operations inclusive of: non-technical survey (NTS), technical survey, Manual Mine Clearance, EOD and CL/RE.

• 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 DDG programming as well as productivity (outputs).
• Ensure that priorities set by the DDG programme and the Descontamina Colombia are met, and the requirements of the donors and beneficiaries are taken into consideration.
• Accountable for DDG Colombia programme adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and for conducting operations in accordance with DDG Mine Action 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 DDG’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 DDG Head of Program. This includes reviewing and updating of training plans and packages.
• Implement security measures in accordance with the security plan, coordinate with the DRC/DDG 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 DDG Head of Program and relevant HQ technical staff on matters related to program planning and implementation.
• Any other task as assigned by the DDG Head of Programme.

Team Management

• Provide strong leadership to staff managed by the OM with oversight and management of DDG 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 DDG’s 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.

Roles reporting to this position: NTS supervisors, Clearance supervisors, CL/MRE officer, EOD team.

Reports to: DDG Head of Programme

Technical line: to DDG HQ Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Advisor.

Required experience and competencies

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in Mine Action sector and full understanding of its technical requirements.
• A minimum of 8 years of working experience in the area of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (a minimum of IMAS EOD level 3 qualifications) is required).
• Proven understanding of IMAS, NMAS, SOPs and land release principles;
• Hands-on experience with survey, manual clearance, EOD and MRE;
• Experience as a trainer and supervisor of technical staff in the area of EOD, survey and clearance is required.
• 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;
• Proficiency in English is an asset;
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation.

Desirable

• Calm and diplomatic in nature;
• Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines;
• Effective team-player;
• 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.

Required education

• IMAS EOD level 3 certification and a minimum of 5 years in a similar position.
• Or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with 3 years’ working experience in similar positions.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes;
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback;
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation;
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly;
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values;

We offer

Contract length: 12 months renewable depending on funding.

Level: E

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

Start date: As soon as possible and not later than 15/08/2019 * Covid Situation – Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic DRC has currently put a hold on all new deployments and your planned contract start date may be postponed.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for international staff in Colombia.

DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development
  Read more here about what our employees say about working in DRC.

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms.