Overview of position

The Chad – Sudan border is located in western parts of the north, west & central Darfur states of Sudan. As a result of ongoing armed conflicts between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) & Rapid Support Forces (RSF) various Darfur states have been contaminated with Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). Considering its wide open area & long stretch of borders with 3 neighboring countries, where Sudanese populations have been affected & displaced to Chad in IDPs camps. The presence of ERW poses the main threat to the local population & the displaced population & also to those who have to cross borders for a variety of reasons including economic activities. UNOCHA is leading some of the UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, WFP & others) has set up a temporary operating base in Farchana / Chad (approx. 50 km west of Sudan border crossing between Adré & El-Geneina). in the view of supporting cross border humanitarian assistance into the Darfur states. This cross border operation is designed to lay out an operational coordination structure for UNMAS assistance in the cross border humanitarian assistance being set up to support on the following:

• Physical assessment of new routes & distribution areas within Darfur (Sudan).
• Gathering of information of any EO contamination encountered or reported.
• Targeted EORE for humanitarian staff involved in these operations.
• Establish & monitor a community based risk education project to cover the refugees in & around the area.
• Advise the OCHA management on EO safety management.
• EORE to the Sudanese refugees in the area (reported to be over 400,000).

Role objectives

Objectives include but are not limited to:

• Act as UNMAS Coordination Officer & focal point for mine action activities for all agencies & ensure effective communication.
• Liaise with other stakeholders & operators involved in humanitarian assistance in Sudan.
• In coordination with the Chief of Operations (CoO) work to develop a realistic, measurable & achievable annual operations work plan in line with UNMAS Sudan annual mandate, constantly review the work plan in line with operational opportunities or limitations & coordinate mid term revisions.

Expected outputs include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that mine action organisation’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in compliance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) & Sudan National Technical Standards & Guidelines (NTSG), review & recommend updates to implementing agencies’ SOPs & UNMAS Standard Work Practices (SWP).
• Support the CoO by ensuring the annual UNMAS objectives are achieved through the optimum operational efficiency of all mine action activities.
• Constantly mentor UNMAS national mine action offices & contribute towards their professional development.
• Supervise & monitor the Explosive Hazard Advisory Team (EHAT), tasking & deployment.
• Monitor & approve EHAT reports before processing & filing.
• Attending humanitarian actors meetings on request.
• Minute & submit all attended meeting minutes to CoO before entering into data system.
• Provide oversight of the Quality Management (QM) system used in Sudan, to ensure that the system is efficiently working & that accreditation, licensing & monitoring do not interrupt or delay demining projects.
• Monitor & follow up on community risk education partners’s activities.
• Issue Tasking Sheets (TS), approve & monitor Clearance Plans (CP) of mine action partner’s Implementation Plans (IPs).
• On behalf of UNMAS Sudan, accept completions of CPs & handovers of cleared land.
• Generate & submit to the program office weekly operational reports showcasing in a concise manner the humanitarian impact of UNMAS operations in Sudan.
• Ensure effective interaction & coordination with other integral aspects of mine action, such as EORE.
• Assist in investigations of mine incidents / accidents & serve as a member of boards of inquiry when required.
• Monitor, analyze & disseminate security information pertaining to armed conflict, crime, civil unrest & other hazards relevant for operational activities.
• Perform other related duties in support of CoO as assigned.
• Act as security focal point.
• Act as Health, safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) focal point for implementing partners.

Project reporting

• Reporting on weekly, monthly & quarterly basis on progress to Chief of Operation (CoO).
• Report on coordination mine action related activities & other issues on adhoc basis as required / requested.
• Ensure all reports are duly submitted & recorded in UNMAS database.

Key competencies

• Master’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience or bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience or military experience (or relevant police experience) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience is required or if an applicant lacks both university qualifications & military experience, s / he must have at least 11 years of experience with an internationally recognized demining organization(s).
• IMAS EOD level 3 certificate is required.
• Relevant experience is defined as experience in operations management, EO threat analysis & tasking, quality assurance & quality control processes in mine action operations settings.
• Experience in applying International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) is required.
• Experience in managing multiple mine action teams, including non technical survey, manual mine clearance, EOD, road clearance & battle area clearance is required.
• Experience in application of land release methodologies is required.
• Experience in explosive ordnance disposal is required.
• Experience in application of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) detection systems in humanitarian mine clearance is desired.
• Fluency in English (speaking, reading & writing) is required.
• Fluency in other UN official languages, particularly French, Arabic & Spanish, is desirable.
• Develops & implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term & externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates & perceives the impact & implications of future decisions & activities on other parts of the organization.
• Treats all individuals with respect, responds sensitively to differences & encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational & ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity & inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates & supports the development of others. Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs & inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners & always puts the end beneficiary first.
• Builds & maintains strong external relationships & is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self & / or others to accomplish a goal.
• Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities & takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change & flexible in a fast paced environment.
• Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences & modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data & courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation & creativity to problem solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise & open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings & needs of others. Actively listens & proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion & finding common ground.

Team management

This role is expected to supervise national operational staff wherever applicable.

Further information

To be advised.