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Head of Division, Standards and Operations

Geneva

  • Organization: GICHD - Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Senior level - Senior
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Mine Action and Weapon Contamination
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) works towards reducing risk to commu­nities caused by explosive ordnance, with a focus on landmines, cluster munitions and ammunition stockpiles.

The Centre helps develop and professionalise the sector for the benefits of its partners: National and local authorities, donors, the United Nations, other international and regional organisations, non-governmental organisations, commercial companies and academia. It does so by combining four lines of service: field support focused on advice and training, multilateral work focused on norms and standards, research and development focused on cutting-edge solutions, and facilitating dialogue and cooperation.

The Standards and Operations Division (SOD) provides services and technical expertise on standardisation, quality management, operational efficiency in support of national authorities in mine action and the wider mine action and human security sector. In addition to supporting the development of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), emphasis is placed on providing technical assistance, training and capacity development, conducting research, producing publications, developing tools and work methods and developing and improving national mine action standards (NMAS). The Division further seeks to ensure operational efficiency by providing advice and shares best practice to ensure standardised, safe, and efficient survey and clearance operations. 

Purpose/Summary of the position

The Head of Division (HoD) will lead the Standards and Operations Division (SOD) to support the Division’s contribution to the GICHD Strategy. The portfolio of the Division, which sits within the Mine Action Programmes (MAPs) Directorate, includes three programmatic areas: Standards; Research and Innovation; and, Operational Management. The HoD will act as the line manager and direct supervisor for Programme Managers (PMs) who oversee these three programmes, in addition to one Programme Officer (PO) dedicated to overall Divisional support.  Other staff members whose work does not fit within a programmatic area may also be supervised directly by the HoD. The HoD may also choose, in exceptional circumstances, to directly plan and implement a project(s) in order to address specific management situations or gaps in human resources.

Under the direction of the Chief of MAPs, the HoD role will provide strategic vision to the overall Division by guiding PMs in the delivery of programme objectives that achieve maximum impact in the mine action sector.  In doing so, they will work in close collaboration with other HoDs inside MAPs and with other Divisions/Programmes outside MAPs (Cooperation Programmes, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Policy and AMAT).

The HoD should support CMAP by ensuring contact and follow-up with MA stakeholders to ensure that coordination is being carried out on an overall basis and that major needs and trends are recognised and taken into consideration with regards to planning. The HoD will support the overall management of the Centre by serving on the GICHD Management Board and engaging in policy initiatives and discussions as part of the overall senior management group of the Centre.

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Regular travel to mine affected countries is included. 

Key areas of responsibilities

  • Oversee the development of programme sub-strategies by providing a clear vision and mission for the Division’s programmes and leading the development of Immediate Outcome Sub-Strategies feeding into the Centre’s overall strategy.
  • Oversee the Division’s annual planning processes, including the development of programme portfolios, in accordance with Sub-Strategies.
  • Oversee the implementation of Programmes’ projects and activities in accordance with agreed work plans (including objectives, priorities, and resources).
  • Ensure the coordination of support by the 3 divisional programmes, ensuring an effective prioritization of the Division’s resources based on requests by states, operators, donors and international and regional organisations and the analysis undertaken by the Division.
  • Identify and support cross-programme synergies and links within CMAP and the GICHD as a whole, as well as the wider MA sector.
  • Contribute to resource mobilisation efforts of SOD, including by acting as a donor steward, approving project proposals and providing substance to discussions with donors, as requested by the CMAP and other donor stewards.
  • Support and guide Programme Managers in delivering their portfolios.
  • Supervise and manage the staff of SOD.
  • Engage in on-going coordination with Administration and Support Services – in particular Finance and Human Resources, to ensure that a proactive approach is taken to meeting Division needs for support.
  • Ensure the accuracy of results reported into the Result-based Management (RBM) system for the Division and foster an environment within the Division that encourages learning and continual improvement.
  • Carry out all work safely, diligently and in respect of GICHD colleagues, including compliance with the GICHD’s Safeguarding and Accountability Framework.
  • Maintain awareness of environmental issues and manage the Division to support the GICHD’s environmental policy.
  • Represent the GICHD at various meetings, conferences, and events
  • Present on the work of SOD and the GICHD as a whole, to internal and external audiences.
  • Facilitate and promote coordination and cooperation with the Implementation Support Units for the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions and promote collaboration at an operational level between partners at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva.
  • Identify and pursue business opportunities for the Division to deliver the GICHD strategy.
  • Fulfil other tasks assigned by CMAP.

Operating Network (key external contacts and level):

  • National Directors of Mine Action Programmes
  • Directors of NGO and commercial operators
  • United Nations partners in Mine Action: programme directorate level, country management
  • Diplomats and representatives of states
  • Military officials (where relevant for humanitarian operations)
  • Research and academic institutions
  • Organisations in peace building, human security
  • Representatives of donor governments and their contractors
  • Humanitarian and development organisations including the UN, and the RCRC Movement.
  • Working within the development and humanitarian substantive groups such as the IASC task teams, working groups and clusters
  • Contractors

QUALIFICATIONS (technical qualifications or certifications that are essential to fulfil the post):

  • An advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent, such as a senior command and staff qualification) in International Development, Economics, Public or Business administration, International Relations, Political Science or other subjects of relevance
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in mine action, military, police or security management may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, TECHNICAL SKILLS (that are essential to fulfil the post)

  • 10+ years of experience working in mine action,
  • 10+ years in managerial / executive functions at a headquarters or country level
  • At least 8 years of experience in managing multi-donor programmes and projects
  • At least 8 years of experience in managing teams in multi-cultural settings
  • Demonstrative understanding of how MA sits within humanitarian/development frameworks
  • Experience supporting capacity development for mine action national authorities and mine action implementing organisations
  • Experience working in at least one related discipline to mine action (such as international development cooperation, humanitarian affairs, disarmament, security sector reform, peace-building or post-conflict reconstruction)
  • Experience in resource mobilisation and liaison with international donor representatives
  • Competence in developing networks and partnerships with organisations and states
  • Experience in implementing results-based management systems

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining has retained Impactpool to manage the recruitment process for this position. 

This vacancy is now closed.
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