Technical Advisor - EOD Capacity Building , Liberia

Action on Armed Violence
Closing date: 27 Sep 2013

Purpose: To establish explosive ordnance disposal capacity within the Liberian Government

Description: Working in partnership with external stakeholders, under the direction of the Project Manager, and in coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor, the Technical Advisor will provide leadership in establishing a national capacity within the Armed Forces of Liberia to safely and efficiently clear dangerous items across Liberia.

Contract type: Fixed term
Responsibilities
Management

1. Contribute to the successful project management of the programme, ensuring that the project is implemented safely, on time, within budget and to a high standard.
2. Provide direction and support to national personnel, particularly the AFL personnel being trained and monitored to complete EOD tasks.
3. Ensure that all EOD personnel are aware of their responsibilities and are undertaking tasks and activities safely and competently, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and International Mine Action Standards.
4. Provide cover for other internationals and team leaders where required.

Safety and security

1. Ensure that the safety of staff, EOD Teams, visitors and communities is the first priority at all times and that all activities are conducted in line with standard operating procedures and International Mine Action Standards. Ensure that the EOD Teams operate in line with any procedures required by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
2. Ensure that the project team’s activities are conducted in accordance with the AOAV Security Management Plan for Liberia – both in work and out of work hours.

EOD Capacity Building

1. In coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor, provide training in EOD Levels 1 and 2 to Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) personnel, ensuring that personnel understand and become competent in explosive ordnance disposal. This must include sufficient theoretical and practical evaluations to confidently graduate successful operators.
2. In coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor, support the organisation of EOD teams to work within the AFL on an ongoing basis, ensuring that teams are organised, coordinated, responsible and are working safely in accordance with the SOPs and IMAS.
3. Where requested, support the organisation of field operations, including tasking, logistics, community liaison, risk assessment and mitigation, in coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor.
4. Conduct monitoring and evaluation of operations on a regular basis, addressing any unsafe or inefficient aspects of operations, in coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor.
5. Ensure that EOD Teams are liaising responsibly with communities.
6. Provide oversight, refresher training and quality assurance to operational EOD teams.
7. Conduct regular capacity building, helping teams and operators to become increasingly independent and competent in their work.
8. Ensure that all equipment is well-maintained and that it is stored and transported in a safe and appropriate manner. Ensure that EOD teams are knowledgeable in the maintenance, storage and transfer of equipment, and that they increasingly take a leading role in this, with oversight.
9. All EOD Capacity building tasks should be implemented under the direction of the Project Manager and the MRU Regional Director, and in coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor, support teams and AFL colleagues.

EOD reporting system

1. Where requested, support the implementation of the national reporting system for suspected hazardous areas and items.
2. Where requested, liaise with local Liberian National Police (LNP) representatives to ensure that the reporting system is functioning well. Provide support where relevant.

Communication

1. Instigate regular and open communication with AOAV management and support staff, including regular reports to the Senior Technical Advisor and Project Manager.
2. Ensure regular and open communication with external agencies, such as the AFL and LNP where relevant.
3. Set an example by liaising responsibly and appropriately with local communities, supporting a positive image of the AFL, and ensuring that mine risk education principles are followed by communities.

Other

1. Perform other tasks as requested by the MRU Regional Director

Person Specification
Experience

1. At least 3 years of experience working in the mine action sector
2. Experience leading and motivating a diverse team
3. Experience providing capacity-building, mentoring and training

Skills, knowledge and aptitudes

1. Trained to EOD Level 3 at minimum
2. Excellent communication skills with an ability to liaise with local Government, community leaders and affected community members
3. Strong technical knowledge of unexploded ordnance and clearance techniques
4. Strong technical knowledge of small arms light weapons and ammunition
5. Strong presentation and teaching skills
6. Strong IT skills would be an asset
7. Strong writing and editing skills would be an asset
8. Fluent in English
9. Ability to work independently as a motivating leader

Personal Characteristics

1. Culturally sensitive with the ability to work in a multicultural team
2. A desire to contribute to AOAV’s humanitarian mission of reducing the incidence and impact of armed violence.
3. Good sense of humour essential

Duration

1. This role offers a fixed-term contract of 6 months.

To apply

1. Send a CV and covering letter to jobs@aoav.org.uk

How to apply:

In order to apply, please send a CV and covering letter to jobs@aoav.org.uk