Research and Development Officer

Research and Development Officer

Full Time, Permanent position

Location: Flexible and will be discussed with the successful candidate, regular travel (minimum 50% of time) to field programmes will be required.

Salary: up to £59,396 depending upon experience and whether UK or International contract

About Us

The HALO Trust was established in Afghanistan in 1988 and is now the world’s largest humanitarian Mine Action organisation. We save lives and restore communities threatened by landmines and other explosive remnants of war including cluster bombs, projectiles, rockets and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Since its founding, HALO has been at the forefront of technological and procedural developments in Humanitarian Mine Action, and we use a wide range of equipment and techniques to find and remove explosive hazards. Research and Development is essential for the continuous improvement of operational safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. This ensures the protection of our staff and the communities in which we work and provides the best possible value for money for our institutional and private donors. The Research and Development department sits within the global Capability Group and provides support and oversight to operational development projects across HALO. There are currently four full-time staff in the R&D department and this role will fill the gap as one of these switches to part-time.

About the Role

As Research and Development Officer, your primary focus will be assisting with operational R&D projects across HALO and supporting country programmes with the implementation of new equipment, techniques, and best practice. Primarily this will be related to the use of electronic detectors but may include drones, surveying equipment, and machinery of all types. This role would suit a recent graduate who wants to put their scientific training to good use by helping us help some of the poorest communities in the world. This is a varied, demanding and practical job, which will require you to solve real problems on the ground, away from a highly equipped laboratory. However, if you prove the safety and value of a new technique then you will have the satisfaction of seeing it put into use almost immediately. We are a very practical organisation and the timeline from idea to implementation for some innovations can be measured in weeks rather than years.

The R&D Officer will manage and support R&D projects under the direction of the Head of R&D within HALO’s Capability Group. They will work closely with staff across HALO’s field programmes and management structure as well as external partners and suppliers. They will also support other activities of the Capability Group when required. Key responsibilities are:

• Assist with the design and delivery of operational R&D projects, including establishing and conducting testing and trials in the field.
• Lead on certain R&D projects as directed by the Head of R&D.
• Conduct analysis of operational processes to assess efficiency and effectiveness and assess operational requirements in the field.
• Seek funding for research and development projects.
• Build relationships with external partners, suppliers and donors.
• Represent HALO at conferences and workshops and give presentations.
• Deliver training to staff when required.
• Write plans, reports, proposals and other documentation.

Who we’re looking for:

Your scientific or technological background is not of great importance, but we do require someone who can logically approach problems, is comfortable with technical language and numerical analysis, and can communicate clearly verbally and on paper. In HALO, we are not conducting primary science research but instead applying technology to real problems. You will need to be pragmatic and willing to take on projects outside of your own particular background. Strong attention to detail is essential. Safety is always our number one priority, and your working practices must reflect this.

This role will require extensive travel to a variety of field operations, as well as attending meetings and conferences in the UK or elsewhere as required. You will be spending a lot of time outdoors in challenging climates, living in basic accommodation, and working with people of many nationalities and backgrounds. You will also need to spend time in places with a significant security threat where your freedom will be restricted by HALO’s security procedures. You will need to be a practical problem solver who can rapidly establish productive working relationships with anyone, anywhere (almost). You must be a robust and self-assured individual who can deal with the daily challenges and frustrations of life in the field.

The successful candidate will also have the following:

• A degree in science, technology, engineering or a related field
• Very strong IT and general computer skills (particularly Microsoft Office)
• Ability to analyse numerical data and statistics
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal skills – you will need to quickly slot into established teams and work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

Previous experience in humanitarian mine action will be a considerable advantage, especially if it includes clearance, operational management, conduct of field trials, operational compliance or training. If this is not applicable, then any overseas field experience would be advantageous, but it is more important that you can demonstrate practical aptitude, the ability to learn quickly, and the adaptability to live and work outdoors. For those without humanitarian mine action experience, HALO will provide training.

What we offer:

Competitive salary – subject to experience

Accommodate whilst overseas

5-7 weeks leave per year, depending on whether UK-based or international contract

Comprehensive insurance package: life assurance and emergency medical insurance, including evacuation and repatriation