Technical Advisor (TA) for Humanitarian Mine Action, DanChurchAid Sudan

Technical Advisor (TA) for Humanitarian Mine Action, DanChurchAid Sudan

DanChurchAid is a Danish non-governmental organisation that aims to assist the poorest groups of the populations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Today, DCA has Humanitarian Mine Action activities in Albania, Angola, Burundi, DR Congo, Lebanon and Sudan.
DCA has implemented a humanitarian mine action programme in the Sudan since 2003. Now we are looking for a new Technical Advisor to the HMA programme in Kadugli, Nuba mountains.

For a more comprehensive introduction you can also visit the DCA HMA website at www.danchurchaid.org/hma.

Qualifications
• EOD certification to level 3 and demining experience
• Fluent in English
• Be able to work independently in the field spending long times away from base, and sleeping in tents and small huts in the villages
• NGO or commercial demining experience is necessary.

Job description
The TA is responsible for the command and control of a demining/EOD team, and answer directly to the Operation Manager.

Reporting to the Operations Manager (OM), the Technical Advisor (TA) will:

• Provide technical oversight of relevant field operations of the project, for which he is responsible, including training, safety and security, daily operational planning and implementation. Responsible for the direction and discipline of locally employed operational and administrative personnel under his control.
• Provide liaison on technical questions with the Operations Manager.
• Be prepared to supervise and if necessary, carry out any survey, mine clearance, Ammunition Area Clearance or EOD actions, in accordance with current national standard (IMAS), authorised DCA SOPs for Sudan, and within the qualifications and experience of the TA.
• Assist the OM in developing the project’s technical contribution to UNMAO and national mine action capacity as required by the OM. Including the training, as required, in agreed locations and following DCA approved training courses, of local personnel, such as, but not limited to DCA staff members.
• Assist, as required, in the development and maintenance of the DCA technical procedures for project operations.
• Assist the OM and PM in maintaining reporting mechanisms and producing proper records and reports on all aspects of technical operations and training according to the demands of the project, UNMAO and local authorities.
• All reports to outside agencies (non DCA organisations) shall be approved by the PM or the OM before any report, statement or opinion is given, including to any media representatives.
• Assist the OM and PM in the training of managerial staff where their tasks may require understanding of technical mine clearance policy or procedure.
• As required, 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.
• Investigate accidents together with OM.
• Plan and supervise the clearance team's daily activities in the field to ensure that:
  • All safety procedures are followed according to DCA Demining SOP.
  • Layout of the task is properly planned.
• Make a QA (quality assurance) on the minefield/working area.
• Control the discipline of the team.
• Be responsible for proper use of all equipment, such as vehicle, radios, mine detectors etc. of the team.
• Be responsible for tasking his team and preparing and checking reports, maps, photo log etc.
• Report the activities of his team, security situation and any other relevant information to DCA office on daily basis.
• Keep him self updated about new techniques, manuals and devices.
• Provide daily performance reports, weekly progress reports, monthly reports, completion reports and logistic/administrative demands to the Ops Manager.
• Co-ordinate Medevac exercises, planned by the Medical Supervisor.
• Ensure that, at all times, there is a briefing board and a Log book on site. Briefing board should be displayed at base camp when the team is not on site.
• Responsible for field level coordination with authorities, communities and NGOs in the area of operation.
• It is the responsibility of the TA to control the Medics, drivers and other supporting personnel attached to the team when it comes to their duties and responsibilities.

Employment conditions
One year contract starting October 1, 2008.
The salary level is app. 30,800 – 37,400 DKK a month depending on relevant experience.

Deadline for applications
August 10, 2008, to be sent to hma.hr@dca.dk

For further information contact Head of Operation Sam Christensen, phone + 45 25 50 21 41 or sam@dca.dk