Country: Zimbabwe
Closing date: 19 Oct 2015
Norwegian People’s Aid is a humanitarian organisation rooted in the Norwegian Labour Movement. We work with International Development Partnerships, Humanitarian Disarmament, Rescue Service and First Aid, and Asylum and Integration. Norwegian People’s Aid has more than 12000 members in Norway and 2400 staff worldwide. We work in 39 countries around the world, and in 2015 we will have an expected turnover of 920 MNOK.
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has been involved in humanitarian mine action since 1992 and is one of the leading humanitarian demining organisations worldwide. NPA works closely with national authorities and other stakeholders on resolving the challenges faced by the local communities caused by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. In 2015 NPA will have over 20 Mine Action Programmes in the Balkans, Southern Africa, The Horn of Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia, and The Middle East.
Background:
NPA has been conducting survey and clearance of landmines in south-eastern Zimbabwe since 2012 in order to help the country achieve mine-free status in accordance with the Mine Ban Treaty. Based in Mutare, NPA Humanitarian Disarmament Zimbabwe currently consists of 5 manual demining teams and a total of 54 local staff, headed by the Programme Manager and one Technical Field Manager.
NPA is looking for a long term (12 months) Technical Advisor (TA) who will specialize in Handheld Stand-off Mine Detection System (HSTAMIDS, dual-sensor) technology for the NPA Zimbabwe programme, in support of on-going operations in-country with occasional technological evaluations and feasibility assessments throughout NPA’s global portfolio. The TA will be based in the field in Zimbabwe with the clearance teams, with frequent returns to Mutare. The TA will report to the Programme Manager.
General Responsibilities:
- Monitor and report on use of HSTAMIDS in the field
- Coordinate with supplier representatives in NPA Zimbabwe in order to assess needs of NPA’s personnel using HSTAMIDS in the field in order to develop and carry out relevant training, Quality Management, and methodological innovations
- Develop and document HSTAMIDS training methodologies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), together with the NPA Zimbabwe Operations Manager as well as the Head of Operations and Chief Technical Advisor for Operational Methods
- Contribute to monthly narrative and statistical reporting on HSTAMIDS-related operations and issues
- Contribute, where applicable, to technical feasibility assessments or training missions in order to expand usage of HSTAMIDS or implementation of optimal technologies elsewhere in NPA’s global portfolio
- Liaise with other stakeholders in-country, including other operators or national authorities
- Any other task or duty as assigned by the Department for Humanitarian Disarmament
Required qualifications:
The position requires first and foremost familiarity or operational experience with HSTAMIDS and/or similar dual-sensor electromagnetic and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in a humanitarian mine clearance context, as well as a good general operational understanding. Solid pedagogical experience and a sound understanding of cultural sensitivity are also required.
Relevant experience and skills would encompass the following:
- Mine action NGO or commercial EOD work using dual-sensor mine detection technology, especially AN/PSS-14 (HSTAMIDS), Minehound or similar
- Proven ability to develop, manage and motivate a team
- Experience from managing mine clearance operations
- Good knowledge in computer handling and data acquisition
- Written and verbal proficiency in English
Personal competencies:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to transfer knowledge and troubleshoot operational issues
- Ability to work calmly under pressure and with limited supervision
- Ability to work in and adapt to different cultures and conditions
- Excellent health
How to apply:
For more information and how to apply, please visit NPA's website.