Humanitarian Mine Action Technical Advisor

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. Our response in the occupied Palestinian territory is centered on empowering conflict affected communities to meet their basic needs and promoting safety and dignity by addressing protection risks. Operating from two offices in Deir al Balah and Gaza City, and with a coordination office in Ramallah and a representative office in East Jerusalem, the DRC maintains an active presence with over 30 national and international staff and four civil society partners. DRC now aims to grow our operation as part of the Middle East Hub, which also comprises Türkiye, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.

About the job

The Technical Advisor provides technical oversight and direction for DRC’s Humanitarian Mine Action field operations in Gaza and the wider oPt, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant Land Release, EOD and EHA activities through robust planning, supervision, QA and risk management in line with DRC HDP SOPs and UNMAS requirements. The role also drives technical capacity building of national staff and partners, supports the development and review of TIPs/FRAs and other technical procedures, and strengthens project reporting and learning in close coordination with the Operations Manager and HMA Technical Field Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight and management of field operations within the assigned project area, including training, safety, security, daily operational planning, implementation, and supervision of all operational personnel under the TA's responsibility.
• Supervise Land Release operations and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Explosive Hazard Assessments (EHA) activities in accordance with DRC HDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring that the correct methodologies and risk assessments are constantly assessed.
• Support the Operations Manager (OM) and HMA Technical Field Manager (TFM) in strengthening the project’s technical contribution to national mine action capacity, including delivering required training in designated locations and facilitating DRC HDP-approved training courses for national personnel.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of DRC HDP technical procedures and operational protocols as required.
• Assist the OM and HMA TFM in maintaining and improving project reporting mechanisms.
• Oversee the development and compilation of the Technical Implementation Plan (TIP) and Field Risk Assessment (FRA) for each task, in coordination with the TFM.
• Review technical activities being carried out on site and provide technical direction where required to ensure safe and efficient clearance procedures.
• Support the HMA Manager (TFM), in ensuring that all TIPs and FRAs are reviewed and approved by the OM before submission to UNMAS.
• Ensure that any amendments to TIPs or FRAs are approved by the OM prior to submission to UNMAS.
• Follow up on Quality Management visits and ensure that any required corrective actions are completed in a timely manner.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the OM, as deemed necessary and appropriate to support project objectives.
• Support the OM and HMA TFM in maintaining and improving project reporting mechanisms.
• Assist the OM and HMA TFM in staff training and technical capacity-building initiatives.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience (within the past 10 years) at the international level within humanitarian international NGOs or similar international bodies, specifically within the Mine Action sector including Land release, NTS, TS, BAC is required.
• A minimum of 3 years of proven and applicable experience (within the past 10 years) in Explosive Threat Mitigation, including EOD (Single/Multi/Bulk) and Air Dropped Weapons (ADW) is required.
• Experience in High-Risk Search and/or Road search is desired.
• Experience in Mechanical & Rubble Clearance, including Mechanical clearance, Mechanical ground preparation, Mechanical-assisted clearance, Rubble removal, clearance and management is desired.
• Experience in improvised explosive devices disposal (IEDD) is desired.
• Experience in managing the destruction of stockpiled small arms ammunition is desired.
• Verifiable hands-on experience in training, supervising, and deploying Land Release teams is desired.
• Experience applying one of the following standards is required: International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG).
• Experience using information management systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) is required.
• Experience in designing and delivering technical training and capacity-building for national staff is desirable.
• Previous experience in HMA Quality Management roles is considered an advantage.
• High level of computer literacy in MS Office programs is required.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• IMAS EOD 3+ qualifications Ordnance Disposal (Single/Multi/Bulk) and Air Dropped Weapons (ADW) is mandatory.
• EOD qualification must be from organisations that train and educate EOD specialists in accordance with IMAS standards - Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022. Individuals are responsible for providing proof of completion.
• IMAS IEDD 3 qualifications (desired)
• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent)

is required.

• In lieu of an Advanced University Degree, either (a) a First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted; or (b) a minimum of 11 years of military or police or Mine Action experience may be accepted.
• Additional certifications in training, quality management, or advanced trauma care are considered an asset.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in written and spoken English, with excellent writing skills, is required.
• Arabic language skills is highly desirable.

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• DRC Head of Programme
• HDP Manager
• HDP Global Senior Technical Advisor
• HDP Global Advisor
• HMA operators
• Palestinian Mine Action Centre

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

National or International Fixed Term contract for nine months.

Band: G1

Work location: Gaza

Start date: ASAP