Operations Manager – Humanitarian Mine Action

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Operations Manager – Humanitarian Mine Action  for our operations in our Shire Field Office.

Instruction for applicants:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered.

Overall purpose of the role

Since June 2024, DRC is implementing a humanitarian mine action programme in Ethiopia, covering Northwest and Central Zone in Tigray, Ethiopia. DRC is therefore looking for a dedicated Operations Manager to support the implementation of these operations, in alignment with Ethiopian and Global standards. The Operations Manager (OM) is accountable for all aspects of humanitarian mine action (HMA) work in the country programme and manages technical staff to ensure HMA are conducted effectively, safely, and in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The OM will contribute technical input to donor proposals, develop detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities, such as the Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO) 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. The OM will work in close collaboration with partner organisations implementing HMA activities under a joint consortium.

Responsibilities:

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.
• Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and security are maintained in all operations.
• Maintain and develop SOPs, work plans and other relevant operations documentation and implement changes within the programme accordingly.
• Exercise responsibility for safes storage and handling of explosives, including within warehousing structures.
• Ensure that the prioritisation set by the Ethiopian Mine Action authorities (EMAO) and UNMAS are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operational activities.
• Manage, monitor, and supervise the HMA EORE/NTS Managers and Technical Field Managers (TFMs), ensuring that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job descriptions and as tasked.
• Work closely with the local partner organisation and coordinate joint activities of the consortium partners.
• 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 operational employees, with a specific objective of nationalisation of posts.
• Assist support service managers in developing appropriate plans for operational support (e.g. procurement planning).
• Report operational outputs to Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding in Copenhagen HQ on a monthly basis, based on input from TFMs and PMs.
• Responsible for the internal Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA).
• Conduct regular QC/QA visits to all teams and ensure the EORE/NTS Manager, TFM, Team Leader and the teams are carrying out drills in accordance with SOPs.
• Keep a record of all training carried out by all employees together with the TFMs.
• Promote a culture of safety, and safe and effective methods of munitions clearance and disposal.
• Collection and retention of technical information on munitions as well as the maintaining of the information library on such munitions. S/he is under no circumstances to carry out, or permit others to carry out, forensic work or similar to gain insight into weapon functionality.
• Support the grants management team as required with deliverables required by the donor.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Support and advise in country management on operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support the Head of Program and CO HDP Coordinator with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA projects.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and assist the HoP/CD in donor liaison when required.
• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, and related fields of interest.
• Ensure the prioritization by Ethiopian Mine Action authorities (EMAO), and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders, is taken into account during strategic planning and operational work plan processes.

OTHER

• Work directly with the HMA Global Senior Technical Advisor, Global Operations Manager and HDP Regional Coordinator in analyzing lessons learned from the country to support other programmes regionally and globally, and vice versa

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in HMA and full understanding of its technical requirements.
• Minimum IMAS EOD 3 qualifications and previous work experience as an Operations Manager.
• Proven management experience gained in a range of settings.
• Experience with accreditation to IMAS standard.
• Proven record of training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts.
• Experience of working in insecure environments.
• Diplomatic, patient and persistent.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Good knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Armed Violence Reduction concepts and programming.
• Knowledge of supply chain systems.

 EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• IMAS EOD 3 qualification

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• English (fluent)

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

Contract length: 12 Months

Contract Type: Expatirate/National Contract

Accompanied status: Non-accompanied

Band: E2 – Management

Designation of Duty Station: Shire, Ethiopia.

Start date:  1st June 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expat/National employees.

Application process

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

Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered.

Closing date for applications: May 08, 2026

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage both qualified Interantional and Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

 

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