HMA Quality Management and Training Specialist

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international non-governmental organization, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world.

DRC Ukraine is looking for Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Quality Management and Training Specialist

Overall purpose of the role:

As the Quality Management and Training Specialist (QM-TS) your primary function will be to manage all programmatic quality issues and ensure all technical/HMA assets and personnel are trained to a high standard. The DRC Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) sector and Humanitarian Mine Action unit will rely on your ideas and technical input to revise National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) and HMA legislation in country. You will coordinate closely with other stakeholders – namely the HMA Capacity Building Programme Manager and Operations Manager (OM) to build the capacity of national authorities, coordinate their training needs and ensure a level of Quality Management. Furthermore, to this, as the Training Specialist, you will develop Training Management Plans and act as the prime trainer for DRC HDP demining staff.

The QM-TS will be based out of Kyiv, Central Ukraine and will travel to areas where DRC-HDP demining and BAC teams operate in Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts, to the national training centers in Kyiv. As QM-TS, you will plan your activities closely with the Operations Manager based in Kyiv and HMA Programme Manager (Capacity Building) based in Kyiv (roving). You directly report to the HMA Operations Manager and keep a technical line with HDP’s Global Senior Technical Advisor and Medical Global Advisor.

The QM-TS does not keep any direct line management role but will keep Technical Line Supervision Responsibility (TLSR) to the Technical Field Managers, Technical Advisors, national Demining Supervisors, Officers and other demining team members.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Primary responsibilities:
• The Quality Management – Training Specialist (QM-TS) main responsibility is quality assuring and monitoring Demining/EOD/MRE activities conducted within the DRC HDP Ukraine programme.
• Responsible for the development of the HDP Quality Management toolbox, Training Management Plans (TMPs) and directly conduct and oversee training courses for all HMA activities, (including NTS, manual, mechanical demining, and BAC).
• Responsible for overseeing and documenting the nationalization and/or development process of the capacity building of national staff.
• Develop, implement, amend and revise country-specific Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for all HDP activities in accordance with HDP Generic Operations Procedures (GOPs), Ukrainian National Standards and IMAS.
• Recruit, train, command and capacity develop an Internal QA/QC team that will be able to conduct QA/QC activities with minimum supervision within a 12month timeframe (subject to available funding).

Nationalization/Capacity development of the technical field staff:
• The QA-TS is responsible to support capacity building within the technical staff and monitor the transitional/ nationalisation process of the Technical Field Managers (TFM), and Quality Assurance (QA) Officer position.
• Ensure that the capacity development process is documented and conducted as directed by the Operations Manager (OM) and Head of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP).
• Support the OM in creating quarterly capacity building plans for the operations.
• Assist in developing a selection process and criteria for the new national QA Officers in support to HDP national partner The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU).

Quality:
• Assess and modify the current QA toolbox to suit the HDP Ukraine programme.
• Quality assures (QA’s) all activities carried out by the operational teams (this includes EORE team).
• Conduct regular task site inspections in pre-planned coordination with the OM.
• In addition, conduct unannounced task site inspections at his/her own will and report findings to OM/Head of HDP accordingly.
• Keep OM and Head of HDP informed about any non-conformities noted through site visits through written reports.
• Provide advice on QA issues to the OM.
• Support the OM in updating the SOPs and change to conform with current standards.

Training:
• Assess and modify the current training management plans in support of operations as per capacity development plan.
• Assist the OM with the designing and implementation of training plans and procedures.
• Support the Operations in training of operational staff on a need basis.
• Ensure that all trainings are conducted in line with capacity building plans.
• Collate and record all training undertaken by all operational personnel.
• Assist the OM and the Head of HDP in the training/briefing of managerial staff where their tasks may require understanding of technical mine clearance policy or procedure.

Documenting and Reporting:
• Assess the current operational reporting formats and modify if required in cooperation with the TFMs and Supervisors.
• Ensure that all Ops reports i.e. survey, clearance, MRE are correctly completed, and where necessary, carry out report writing training if required.
• Takes responsibility to report noncompliance in active operations to OM and where this is a severe breach of safety and high risk, suspend work until OM authorizes otherwise.
• Conduct investigations of the incident/accident, which may occur under the direction of the OM or HQ Ops Department in Copenhagen.
• Conduct regular inspections in Information Management unit to ensure that documenting/filing system is done appropriately.

Visibility:
• The QM-TS will ensure that all donor visibility is shown on tasks sites, vehicles, uniforms and offices and other visibility requirements are met as per individual donor contract or HDP internal requirement.
• Support OM with visibility material related to Ops for case studies for the HDP website/donor reporting which are identified through surveys/ clearance.

Others:
• Support the OM and the Head of HDP in providing Ops related information (incl. photos/video, maps, etc.) for the donor reports in coordination with TFMs, and the Information Management unit.
• Responsible for ensuring proper use and maintenance of all equipment under their area of responsibility, such as vehicle, radios, mine detectors etc.
• It is a responsibility of the QA QM-TS to keep themselves updated about new techniques, manuals and devices.
• As required by the OM, establish and maintain relationships at a technical level with all organizations (civil, commercial, military, or humanitarian) involved in mine action and related activities in the project area of operations.
• Undertake other such actions as deemed appropriate and necessary by the OM.

Experience and technical competencies:
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant working experience at international level with a minimum 5 years’ experience working with humanitarian international NGOs or similar international body, within the Mine Action sector is required.
• Hands-on experience of training, supervising and deploying manual demining & BAC teams is required
• Extensive experience in HMA Quality Management is required.
• Knowledge of and practical experience with a range of hand-held detectors, such as the Minelab F3, Ebinger UPEX 740M, CEIA CMD, Vallon VMR3 / VMC, for the purposes of manual demining is essential.
• Minimum of IMAS EOD Level III certification, or equivalent from an Internationally recognized technical school (Military or Civilian) is required with proven experience to support level of EOD III.
• Proven experience in drafting SOPs is required.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering technical training is required
• International Certification/Qualifications in Quality Management highly desirable
• A high degree of computer literacy in all MS Office programs is required
• Work experience in programme management, including representation, technical supervision of staff, monitoring and evaluation is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of advanced trauma care is highly desirable
• Work experience from within the region (Eastern Europe) is desirable
• International Driving license (manual gearbox) required
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Education:
• Masters or Bachelor degree (Certificate is attached)
• EOD 3 Qualifications

Languages:
• Fluency in written and spoken English with excellent writing skills required
• Ukrainian and/or Russian language skills are highly desirable

Key stakeholders:
• Mine Action Implementing Partners
• State Emergency Services Ukraine (SESU) and other National Mine Action Authorities (MoD)
• Donors

We offer

Contract length: till the end of September 2023with the possibility to extend depending on performance and funding.

Level F1, Manager

Start date: As soon as possible.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriate Staff.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 26th of September 2022

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development