JOB DESCRIPTION

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been active in Yemen since 2008. Throughout its eight field offices and a workforce of 273 staff, DRC Yemen upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level. Sectors of implementation cover Protection, Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament, and WASI (Wash, Shelter and Infrastructure).

About the job

The Operations Manager has the primary function of ensuring that the highest technical standards are maintained in DRC Yemen’s humanitarian mine action (HMA) program, in line with national , international and DRC’s mine action standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.

The Operations Manager will contribute with ideas and technical input to donor proposals, develop detailed plans for the implementation of activities in close liaison with the national authorities and key stakeholders (such as the Yemen Executive Mine Action Committee (YEMAC) and UNMAS), to ensure that operations are adequately staffed with well-qualified personnel, monitor all field activities through regular visits to project sites, and prepare appropriate reports for various audiences.

As HMA falls within DRC’s Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) sector, the Operations Manager reports directly to the HDP Programme Manager for Yemen and has a technical line to Global Senior Technical Advisor and Global Operations Advisor. For base and area level support (e.g. Safety and Procurement), the Operations Manager is responsible to coordinate with the respective Area Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations Management

• Ensure the highest possible standards of safety and security are maintained in all DRC HMA operations in Yemen.
• Take overall responsibility and supervision of all HMA operations in all areas of operation.
• Plan, monitor and evaluate all aspects of HMA activities.
• Ensure that the prioritization set by YEMAC, UNMAS, and the donors are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of operations.
• Monitor, and supervise the TFMs, ensuring that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job descriptions.
• Develop new SOPs, and update existing SOPs and tools in line with DRC Global SOPs and NMAS
• Monitor and analyse productivity achieved and recommend methods and practices to enhance productivity, ensuring cost effective operations to be conducted in the programme.
• Lead the planning and monitoring of training and competence building of national staff, with a specific objective of nationalization of posts.
• Assist with the delivery of support service functions especially the Supply Chain Manager, in developing plans for liaison with stakeholders and suppliers, in procuring supplies and equipment required, and with meeting the communications and transport needs of the field teams.
• Exercise responsibility for safe storage and handling of explosives, including within warehousing structures.
• Conduct regular QA visits to all teams and ensure the TFM, TL and the teams are carrying out drills in accordance with the HDP SOPs.
• Keep a record of all training carried out by all employees together with the TFM.
• Cover TFM role gap during R&R and leaves.
• Promote safety culture, and safe and effective methods of munitions clearance and disposal.

Overall Management

• Support and advise HDP Programme Manager/Head of Programme (HoP) on operational matters and ensure that accreditation of operations is achieved and maintained with authorities.
• Support the HDP Programme Manager/HoP with strategic planning and implementation of all HMA operations.
• Contribute to the writing of donor proposals and reports and assist the HDP Programme Manager in donor liaison when required.

External Relations

• Develop a professional collaborative relationship with national authorities and other agencies involved in mine action, including through participation in the MA AoR.
• Ensure the prioritisation by YMACC and YEMAC, and ongoing activities of other operators and stakeholders, is considered during strategic planning and operational workplan processes.
• Lead the development of innovative new approaches to HMA, including analysing new tools, equipment methodologies and approaches to technical implementation of HMA and ways of improved coordination of delivery with DRC programming.

Other

• Take an active role in coordination with national mine action authorities, including the development/maintenance of MoUs, from a technical and QA perspective.
• Maintain and develop SOPs, workplans and other relevant operations documentation and implement changes within the programme accordingly.
• Work directly with the Global Senior Technical Advisor, Global Operations Advisor and HDP Regional Coordinator in analysing lessons learned from Yemen to support other programmes regionally and globally, and vice versa
• Deputise for HDP Programme Manager as an in-country representative for HMA programs as required.

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

• Minimum 7 5 years’ previous experience in HMA in complex humanitarian contexts and full understanding of its technical and operational requirements
• Proven management experience gained in a range of settings
• Experience with accreditation to IMAS standard
• Proven record of training national staff and ability to train and mentor national counterparts
• Experience of working in insecure environments, diplomatic, patient and persistent
• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic an advantage
• Knowledge of supply chain systems and willingness to learn and apply DRC financial systems and compliance tools
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity and impact monitoring.

Desirable

• Previous working experience in Yemen, or a context like Yemen.

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 act in line with our vision and values.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required Qualifications:

• IMAS EOD level 3 certificate, and previous work experience as an operations Manager
• IMAS IEDD level 3 standard in accordance with TEP (0931).

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

We offer:

Contract length: One – Year Contract Length, renewable based on funding availability.

Band: E2 – manager

Duty Station: Mocha- Yemen, with Country wide scope.

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station

Start date: As soon as possible.

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

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact [email protected] Please note that applications sent directly to the email will not be considered.

Applications close on 21st October, 2025.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.ngo