HMA Operations Manager

DRC - Danish Refugee Council (Yemen)

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and whenever possible for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been active in Yemen since 2008. Throughout its eight field offices and a workforce of 273 staff, DRC Yemen upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level. Sectors of implementation cover Protection, Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament, and WASI (Wash, Shelter and Infrastructure).

About the job

The Operations Manager has the primary function of ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in DRC Yemen s humanitarian mine action (HMA) program, in line with national , international and DRC s mine action standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.

The Operations Manager will contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals, develop detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities and key stakeholders (such as the Yemen Executive Mine Action Committee (YEMAC) and UNMAS), to ensure that operations are adequately staffed with well-qualified personnel, monitor all field activities through regular visits to project sites, and prepare appropriate reports for various audiences.

As HMA falls within DRC s Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) sector, the Operations Manager reports directly to the HDP Programme Manager for Yemen and has a technical line to Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Advisor. For base and area level support (e.g. Safety and Procurement), the Operations Manager is responsible to coordinate with the respective Area Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations Management

• Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and security are maintained in all DRC HMA operations in Yemen.
• Take overall responsibility and supervision of all HMA operations in all areas of operation.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.
• Ensure that the prioritization set by YEMAC, UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operations.
• Monitor, and supervise the TFMs, ensuring that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job descriptions.
• Develop new SOPs, and update existing SOPs and tools in line with DRC Global SOPs and NMAS
• Monitor and analyse productivity achieved and recommend methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effective operations to be conducted in the programme.
• Lead the planning and monitoring of training and competence building of national staff, with a specific objective of nationalization of posts.
• Assist with the delivery of support service functions especially the Supply Chain Manager, in developing plans for liaison with stakeholders and suppliers, in procuring supplies and equipment required, and with meeting the communications and transport needs of the field teams.
• Exercise responsibility for safe storage and handling of explosives, including within warehousing structures.
• Conduct regular QA visits to all teams and ensure the TFM, TL and the teams are carrying out drills in accordance with the HDP SOPs.
• Keep a record of all training carried out by all employees together with the TFM.
• Cover TFM role gap during R&R and leaves.
• Promote safety culture, and safe and effective methods of munitions clearance and disposal.

Overall Management

• Support and advise HDP Programme Manager/Head of Programme (HoP) on operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support the HDP Programme Manager/HoP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA operations.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and assist the HDP Programme Manager in donor liaison when required.

External Relations

• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, including through participation in the MA AoR.
• Ensure the prioritisation by YMACC and YEMAC, and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders, is considered during strategic planning and operational workplan processes.
• Lead the development of innovative new approaches to HMA, including analysing new tools, equipment methodologies and approaches to technical implementation of HMA and ways of improved coordination of delivery with DRC programming.

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