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DDG Operations Manager

Danish Demining Group (DDG) has operated in Sri Lanka since 2003. At present the field work force consists of two national Technical Advisors (TA) and approximately 425 national employees involved in manual demining, manual surface and sub-surface clearance, mechanical ground preparation and EOD. DDG currently operates in three districts; Jaffna, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi. The national TAs are responsible for Vavuniya and Kilinochchi, whilst the OM also performs the duties of a TA in Jaffna.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary functions of the Operations Manager are:

• Providing technical advice to the national field staff

• Mentoring and guidance of TAs

• Planning and supervision of operations

• Ensuring that correct and safe Mine Action practices are followed in accordance with DDG SOP and NTSG

• Sustainable national supervision and management capacity is being developed

• DDG focal point for security.

REPORTING

The Operations Manager reports to the Programme Manager. The TAs, Operations Cell and Jaffna field officers staff report to the Operations Manager. Officers, Team Leaders and other similar level field staff in the other districts report to designated area TAs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Relations

• Liaise and further develop the relationship with Mine Action authorities, and other organisations active in demining, recovery and development.

• Liaison with the local NGOs providing MRE support.

2) Technical

• Planning, monitoring and evaluation of all aspects in EOD, BAC and mine clearance activities.

• Ensure that the prioritisation set by the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), Regional Mine Action Office (RMAO), and the direction/interests of the donors are taken into consideration in the planning of operational activities.

• Monitor and supervise the TAs providing guidance and training as necessary.

• Monitor and analyse operations and recommend methods and practices to increase the productivity and cost effectiveness of operations.

• Ensure accreditation of operations/field teams are achieved and maintained with Regional Mine Action Authorities (RMAO).

• Represent DDG at workshops and meetings.

• Advise the Programme Manager on operational matters and technical issues.

• In close collaboration with the DDG Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) maintain and develop Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and implement amendments and changes to practice in the programme accordingly.

3) Management

• Responsible for the management and supervision of all operational activities.

• Supervise and maintain the annual Individual Performance Assessments system for all field staff (IPA)

• Identifying training and capacity building needs and the supervision of any such training.

• Monitor the recruitment process for technical field staff and participate in recruitment boards.

• Supervise the discipline and welfare of field staff and when necessary recommend courses of action and implement disciplinary procedures.

• Support the Logistic Manager in the development/review of maintenance and procurement plans.

• Support the HR and Administrative staff in ensuring the correct functioning of procedures with relation to field staff.

• Support strategic planning.

• Support the writing of proposals and reports for authorities and donors.

4) Other

• Member of the senior management team in association with the Programme Manager, HR and Finance Manager, Logistics Manager and the Grant Manager.

• Drafting of a monthly operations report for circulation to HQ, authorities and donors, and any other technical reports and investigations that may be required.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory:

• Proven experience in EOD, mine clearance methods and technology

• Proven experience in supervising and managing a large field work force

• Proven experience in drafting reports and conducting technical investigations

• Qualified to IMAS EOD Level 3 as a minimum

• Experience with humanitarian mine action as a TA

• Proven experience of building and leading a team and working in harmony with national support staff

• Fluency in written and spoken English

• Good practical knowledge of MS Word and Excel

Preferred/An advantage:

• EOD Level 4

• Experience with commercial demining

• Understanding of financial management

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Diplomatic, tactful, patient and persistent.

• Experience in less than stable security environments.

• A genuine desire to build national capacity.

CONDITIONS

Duty station: Jaffna with regular monitoring and supervisory travel across the northern region of Sri Lanka (approximately 60% in Jaffna/40% in other areas of operation). Occasional travel to Colombo where the main office is located.

Contract: 1 year contract with possibility of extension. Salary and other conditions are in accordance with DDG/DRC staff rules (see www.drc.dk under Vacancies). The position is placed on level C1.

Start: 16 April 2012 to provide an overlap for handover from the outgoing Operations Manager. This also allows for the extended visa and work permit lead times.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Questions on duties and conditions may be directed to DDG Head of Desk Sri Lanka, Roger Fasth, roger.fasth@drc.dk.

Please note that applications are not to be sent to Mr. Fasth. See section: Application and CV below.

APPLICATION AND CV

Only motivated letters of application that address the stipulated duties, and meet the required qualifications and personal attributes, sent together with a CV will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current vacancies > DDG Operations Manager – Sri Lanka.

Please forward your application, in English and marked “DDG Operations Manager – Sri Lanka”, no later than 9. March 2012

Please contact Anne Oxholm, job@drc.dk if you experience problems with your online application.

ABOUT DDG

DDG was established in 1997 as an independent organisation. It has since merged with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in order to create a Humanitarian Mine Action unit within the organisation, hence benefiting from synergies in cooperation but not being limited at the same.

The vision of Danish Demining Group is to be the preferred strategic and operational partner working to reduce the humanitarian and socio-economic threats caused by landmines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW).

DDG bases its approach upon the principles of the Ottawa Convention’s five pillars of Mine Action, but does not limit fields activities to the removal of anti personnel mines only, and routinely engages in the disposal of the full range of ERW. DDG currently operates in Afghanistan, Somaliland, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Chechnya, Uganda and Sudan.

DRC/DDG is a non-profit, private, humanitarian organisation, which aim is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons against persecution and to promote durable solutions based on humanitarian principles and human rights, both in Denmark and internationally. Support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integrated part of the work as does relief work and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation, and the removal of landmines.

How to apply:

APPLICATION AND CV

Only motivated letters of application that address the stipulated duties, and meet the required qualifications and personal attributes, sent together with a CV will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current vacancies > DDG Operations Manager – Sri Lanka.

Please forward your application, in English and marked “DDG Operations Manager – Sri Lanka”, no later than 9. March 2012