Quality Assurance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for their rights, and works to strengthen their opportunities for a better future. The organization operates in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in host countries, striving for responsible and sustainable solutions. DRC has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, and its vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals. The organization is guided by its core values of humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. In Syria, DRC has been active since 2008, focusing on supporting refugees and has expanded its efforts to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations across the country since receiving authorization from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 201
• DRC's activities in Syria include distributions of non-food items (NFI), shelter assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, protection, education, livelihoods, and mine risk education across six governorates: Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. Protection and community service activities are provided through community centers throughout the region.

Job Overview:
The Quality Assurance (QA) Officer plays a crucial role in ensuring that all Mine Action operations adhere to International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), and the organizational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This position involves conducting internal quality assurance monitoring of various Mine Action operations, including Non-Technical Survey (NTS), Technical Survey (TS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Battle Area Clearance (BAC), and Mine Clearance operations. The QA Officer is responsible for ensuring safety, efficiency, accountability, and compliance with required standards, contributing to the continuous improvement of operational performance and risk mitigation across all Mine Action activities. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes to enhance operational effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The QA Officer's duties and responsibilities include: A. Quality Assurance Monitoring: Conducting regular internal QA visits to field operations (NTS, TS, EOD, BAC, MMC), monitoring compliance with IMAS, NMAS, and DRC SOPs, verifying the correct application of land release methodologies, ensuring proper implementation and documentation of safety procedures, observing and assessing team drills, marking, task layout, and documentation, monitoring medical preparedness and CASEVAC procedures, and ensuring that equipment calibration and maintenance records are up to date. B. Documentation and Reporting: Completing QA visit reports with clear findings and corrective actions, tracking non-conformities and ensuring timely follow-up and closure, maintaining QA tracking databases or monitoring tools, contributing to monthly operational and donor reports as required, and providing evidence-based recommendations for operational improvements. C. Compliance and Standards: Ensuring that operations align with IMAS, NMAS, accreditation requirements, and DRC SOPs, supporting preparation for external Quality Assurance/Quality Control inspections by national authorities or UN bodies, and participating in accreditation and re-accreditation processes. D. Capacity Strengthening and Continuous Improvement: Providing on-site mentoring to team leaders and operational staff, identifying training gaps and recommending refresher training, supporting revisions and updates of SOPs where operational improvements are required, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and learning, and facilitating lessons learned sessions and after-action reviews. E. Risk Management and Safety: Identifying operational risks and recommending mitigation measures, immediately reporting critical safety concerns to management, ensuring compliance with medical and emergency preparedness standards, and promoting safe behavior and duty of care across all teams. F. Localization, Partnership & Coordination: Supporting senior management in identifying, assessing, and engaging national and local partners in line with DRC partnership principles and due diligence requirements, assisting in the meaningful participation of national stakeholders in planning and reviewing HMA activities, and participating in coordination between HMA and other DRC sectoral programs to ensure integrated and conflict-sensitive approaches.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications: A minimum of 2 years of experience in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) activities, with a strong preference for previous experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Control. Candidates should have experience working under IMAS/NMAS frameworks, demonstrating a solid understanding of the standards and practices in Mine Action operations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a high school education, with a formal EOD qualification that meets at least the IMAS EOD Level 2 standards. This educational background is essential to ensure that the QA Officer has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) activities. Previous experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Control is strongly preferred, as it indicates familiarity with the standards and practices necessary for ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness in Mine Action operations. Experience working under IMAS/NMAS frameworks is also essential, as it demonstrates the candidate's understanding of the regulatory environment governing Mine Action activities.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirements for this position include proficiency in English at an intermediate level and native proficiency in Arabic. These language skills are crucial for effective communication within the team and with local stakeholders, ensuring that all operations are conducted smoothly and efficiently. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a contract length of 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. The level of the position is classified as Non-Management – H

• The expected start date for this role is 03 May 202
• Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the provided application link, ensuring that they submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language as the vacancy note. Applications that consist only of a CV will not be considered. The application deadline is set for 06 April 202
• For further information about the Danish Refugee Council and its operations, candidates can visit the organization's official website.