DDG Operations Manager/EOD Technical Advisor - Vietnam

Job Description

DDG Vietnam

Overall Context
Danish Demining Group started clearance operations in Vietnam in September 2014 and is currently carrying out EOD operations in Quang Nam Province. A BAC capacity will be added in December 2015, upscaling the number of teams to three in total. It is expected that the clearance capacity will be further increased in 2016. DDG Vietnam is looking for a qualified Operations Manager / Technical Advisor with experience in programme management to oversee the deployment of these teams. The position is a combined Operations Manager / Technical Manager due to the small size of the programme and the high capacity of local staff reducing.

The Operations Manager/Technical Advisor serves as an alternate to the Country Director (CD) when he/she is not in country. As such, the ability of the Operations Manager to take on the responsibility for the programme when required will be a key aspect of the success of the operation. Both the responsibility for representing the organisation to the Government of Vietnam and other key stakeholders (such as major donors), and the welfare and security of DDG staff in country, are two vital functions that will fall to the Operations Manager in the absence of the Country Director.

Given the fact that Vietnam is a relatively new programme for DDG, the ability of the Deputy Operations Manager to manage this situation, while continuing to support the programme technically, is extremely important.

Operations Manager Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the CD in carrying out operational planning for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, Battle Area Clearance (BAC) Teams, Community Liaison and Risk Education activities. This should be done while keeping focus on national priorities and beneficiary needs.
• Design an internal Quality Management (QM) structure that includes monitoring the impact of DDG programming as well as productivity (outputs).
• Ensure compliance with medical support SOPs, and ensure a proper level of medical training for all staff.
• Act as the focal point for logistics in the programme and develop efficient systems and effective approaches to delivering the required logistics support. This must be done in compliance with the DRC Programme Handbook.
• Develop, implement and revise country-specific Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for relevant DDG activities.
• Act as a replacement for the CD when he/she is on leave or otherwise out of the country (see ToR for the CD).

EOD Technical Advisory Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide training and establish an overall capacity building structure for national technical staff in EOD and BAC, including on-the-job training.
• Supervise the daily deployment of at least three EOD/BAC teams, ensuring that technical and support staff are adhering to DDG SOPs.
• Make recommendations regarding new approaches and changes to SOPs, where safety concerns or more efficient methodologies are identified

Other

• Any other tasks assigned by the CD

Reporting Lines
The Deputy Operations Manager/EOD TA’s direct reporting line will be to the DDG Country Director in Vietnam, with a technical reporting line to DDG’s Mine Action Secretariat, through the Chief Technical Advisor of DDG.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience at a senior international level with humanitarian international NGOs or similar international body – preferably within the Mine Action sector is required.
• 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.
• Experience as a trainer and supervisor of technical staff in the area of EOD is required.
• Experience in drafting SOPs is required.
• Experience in logistics and safety of personnel and assets is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken English with excellent writing skills required.
• A high degree of computer literacy is required.
• Work experience in programme management, including representation, staff management, monitoring and evaluation is highly desirable.
• Working experience from Vietnam and/or other East Asian countries is highly desirable.

Personal competencies

• Strong leadership skills.
• Capacity to work independently.
• Managerial courage and integrity.
• A problem-solving attitude and ability to get things done in spite of a challenging political environment.
• Innovative and creative thinking with strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Political and cultural sensitivity, as well as a diplomatic, tactful, and flexible interpersonal style.
• Proven ability to function well in a potentially volatile and sometimes stressful environment.

Conditions
Duty station: Position based in Quang Nam province, Vietnam with frequent travel to field locations. This is a ‘non-family duty station’ and the person must be prepared to live and work in an isolated environment for longer periods of time with limited recreational and social facilities. Accommodation is provided.
Contract: 8 months (until August 31st, 2016), but with good possibilities for extension. Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position is placed at salary level B3. The position is pending funding.
Start date: 1. January 2016.

Further information
You are welcome to contact Mr. Rune Bech Persson, DDGs Programme and Operations Coordinator for Vietnam on rune.bech.persson@drc.dk or Clinton Smith, DDG Country Director for Vietnam on cd@ddg-vn.org for additional information about the vacancy.

For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website http://www.danishdemininggroup.dk/ and http://www.drc.dk/.

Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV, in English and marked will be considered.
IMPORTANT: We only accept applications sent via our on-line system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies.
Please remember to upload a letter of application and your CV. CV-only applications will not be considered.

APPLICATIONS SENT DIRECTLY BY EMAIL WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Applications are to be sent to no later than Thursday 19. November 2016 at 12:00 CET.

About the Organization

About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.