**The Danish Refugee Council (DRC)** is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate for and promote durable solutions for displacement-affected populations. DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014 and currently employs over 800 staff implementing emergency and recovery programming across the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors through direct interventions and support to duty bearers and civil society organisations (CSOs). DRC’s programming is based on an integrated approach in which sectors are designed to complement and reinforce one another to maximise impact for conflict-affected communities. Within this model, humanitarian mine action is not viewed solely through clearance outputs such as square metres released, but as an enabler for recovery and durable solutions. The focus is on outcomes for communities — whether land can safely be cultivated again, infrastructure restored, services resumed and displaced populations supported to rebuild their lives.

DRC implements this approach through a decentralised operational model in which most of the programme delivery, coordination and day-to-day decision-making takes place through its area offices rather than the Country Office. The Country Office provides strategic coordination, technical guidance, oversight and support services to enable field operations. This structure is intended to ensure that programmes remain closely connected to local realities and community needs while maintaining coherent technical and operational standards across the response. This integrated and outcome-oriented approach differentiates DRC from other mine action operators. The Operations Manager, while focused on the responsibilities outlined below, is therefore expected to work across functions and sectors to enable integrated, area-based programming and support operational decision-making that contributes to broader recovery outcomes for conflict-affected communities.

DRC has been working in humanitarian mine action (HMA) in Ukraine since 2014, conducting survey and clearance, risk education, victim assistance and capacity development with national mine action Authorities and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

DRC is currently looking for a **Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Operations Manager in Kyiv.**

**About the job**

The Operations Manager (OM) has the primary function of ensuring that the highest technical standards are achieved and maintained in HMA and that DRC works in line with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) and DRC’s own HMA standard operating procedures (SOPs) and global guidelines. The OM achieves this purpose by contributing to and approving the development of detailed technical plans for the implementation of activities, and most critically, ensure field operations are staffed by appropriately qualified technical staff, the appropriate technical training is provided, field operations are appropriately technically monitored, and robust quality assurance of field operations is undertaken on a regular basis, with follow up as required. The OM, works in close liaison with internal stakeholders (e.g. Area Managers, safety, support services, etc.) and external stakeholders (such as the National Mine Action Authority and Mine Action Center) to achieve this purpose.

**Reporting lines:** the Operations Manager reports to the HMA Head, under the supervision of the Head of Operations, who reports directly to the Country Director.

**Your main duties and responsibilities will be:**

**People Management**

- Leading and line managing staff (including people planning, development, performance management, appraisal and well-being)
- Technically supervising and line managing specific key managerial positions on current HMA projects, in line with HMA SOPs, NMAS and IMAS standards under the management of the Head of HMA and the overall supervision of the Head of Operations
- Leading the planning and monitoring of technical training, and capacity and competence building of DRC operations employees, in line with the Head of HMA’s plan for capacity building and nationalization of roles

**Operational Delivery**

- Supporting and advising the Head of HMA in operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
- Maintaining and developing SOPs, approving technical workplans and other relevant training and operations documentation and implement changes within the programme accordingly.
- Provide technical inputs for procurements and support technical procurements
- Overseeing overall daily management and supervision of HMA clearance operations. Monitor team outputs and proactively address underperformances.
- Provide technical input to proposals, reports and budget and activity forecasts when required by the Head of HMA.
- Lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of operational aspects of programme delivery, (e.g. procurement, equipment storage, training organisation etc.).
- Provide feedback to the MEAL/ IM department on the adequacy of reporting tools for field use, ensuring they capture sufficient information to monitor outputs and outcomes

**Technical Monitoring and Quality Management**

- Ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in HMA and that DRC works in line with IMAS, NMAS and DRC‘s HMA SOPs to support safe and efficient operations
- Overseeing and evaluating all technical aspects of HMA activities.
- Monitoring and analysing productivity achieved in order to identify recommendations for methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effectiveness of operations conducted within the programme
- Maintain and supervise a robust quality management system that ensures regular monitoring of all activities in all locations, and ensure that observations and recommendations are communicated and followed by operational personnel
- Ensures that accidents, incidents and near misses are appropriately investigated, root causes are identified and addressed
- Keeps up to date with emerging clearance and survey technology, advising the Head of HMA on relevant measures to increase efficiency

**Technical Training and Capacity Building**

- Providing technical management and authority for planning, monitoring and follow up of technical training support to technical HMA staff in the field
- Providing capacity and competence building support to government stakeholders, with a specific objective of strengthening and enhancing their technical capacity.
- Building and reinforcing the operational capacities of Civil Society Organizations to deliver EORE, NTS and Clearance activities in cooperation with the relevant DRC departments

**External relations**

- Contributing to the development of a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action.
- Represent DRC at external meetings and conferences pertaining to HMA policy, procedures, equipment and legislation as delegated by the Head of HMA.

**About you**

To be successful in this role, we expect you to have deep technical expertise and a strong track record in operations and people management. **You hold IMAS EOD 3+ qualifications and at least 10 years of experience in humanitarian mine action, with a solid understanding of IMAS and NMAS compliance requirements and hands-on experience overseeing quality management systems in complex field environments**. **At least 5 years of people management experience.** Moreover, we also expect the following:

*Required*

- IMAS EOD 3+ qualifications and previous work experience as an Operations Manager.
- Proven management experience gained in a range of settings.
- Experience with accreditation according to different country standards.
- Proven record of training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts.
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to DRC's integrated and outcome-oriented programming approach.
- Experience of working in conflict context.
- Excellent communication and coordination skills.
- Diplomatic, patient, and persistent.
- Good knowledge of Word, Excel and SharePoint.
- Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken).

*Desirable*

- IEDD IMAS level 3+ or Search Advisor certification.
- Knowledge of supply chain systems, human resources and budget management.
- Familiarity with other sectors in which DRC operates.
- Knowledge of IMSMA, GIS, ArcView.

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, after successful completion of a 3-month probation period.
- **Band**: E2 – Manager.
- **Designation of Duty Station**: Kyiv (non-family duty station).
- **Start date**: August/ September 2026.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national and international employees.