HMA Operations Team Leader

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 towards sustainable solutions for a brighter future. The organization has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in more than 40 countries. DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by core values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. In Syria, DRC has been active since 2008, initially responding to the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to address the ongoing Syria crisis since 201
• DRC Syria employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across various sectors, including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding, including Humanitarian Mine Action. The organization is committed to providing rapid responses to emerging crises and fostering resilience in fragile communities, ensuring that solutions are dignified, sustainable, and cost-effective.

Job Overview:
The HMA Operations Team Leader plays a crucial role in supporting the HMA Operations Manager by overseeing the planning, coordination, monitoring, and follow-up of Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) operations in Syria. This position is responsible for ensuring that all activities align with operational priorities, project targets, donor commitments, and DRC procedures. The Team Leader will provide daily leadership and management to the Program Support Officer, Radio Operator, and Supply Chain Assistant, ensuring their work is effectively coordinated and responsive to HMA operational requirements. The role serves as a vital link between HMA field operations and relevant support functions, facilitating effective communication, operational support, reporting, data management, and administrative coordination. The Team Leader is expected to contribute to the overall success of HMA operations by ensuring that all team members are aligned with the organization's goals and objectives, and that operational challenges are addressed promptly and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Coordination: Directly supervise and manage the Program Support Officer, Radio Operator, and Supply Chain Assistant, including task assignment, prioritization, follow-up, and performance management. Ensure that the team's work aligns with HMA operational priorities, field requirements, project work plans, and deadlines. Facilitate effective coordination among supervised staff, Technical Field Managers, field teams, and relevant DRC support departments. Identify operational support gaps, bottlenecks, and priorities, and follow up on appropriate actions with relevant staff and departments. Ensure clear communication and information flow between the HMA Operations Manager, field operations, Information Management, Supply Chain, and program support functions.
• Operational Implementation, Reporting & Data Management: Assist the HMA Operations Manager in planning, preparing, monitoring, and following up on HMA activities to ensure alignment with operational work plans, project targets, and donor commitments. Support the development and maintenance of operational plans that align with team deployments, project work plans, and operational priorities. Track activity progress, indicators, and expected outcomes; contribute to project reviews, evaluations, and follow-up of agreed recommendations. Oversee HMA operational data management through the Information Management Specialist, ensuring the maintenance and synchronization of Survey123, IMSMA, and other relevant systems. Ensure timely preparation of operational statistics, maps, dashboards, and impact summaries required for operational management and reporting. Support the preparation of internal and external operational reports and facilitate timely submission of verified HMA data to SNMAC, UNMAS, donors, and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure that physical and digital HMA documentation is complete, organized, and archived in accordance with DRC data protection and retention requirements.
• Operational Support & Supply Chain Coordination: Provide day-to-day oversight of the Program Support Officer and Supply Chain Assistant to ensure operational procurement, logistics, equipment, assets, and other support requirements are followed up in a timely manner. Ensure that operational needs and requests from field teams are consolidated, prioritized, documented, and communicated to the relevant support departments. Follow up on operational equipment, materials, consumables, and other resources required for planned activities and deployments. Coordinate with Technical Field Managers and relevant support departments to identify and address operational support constraints that could affect implementation. Manage and supervise the Radio Operator to ensure that operational communication arrangements support daily field activities and deployments. Ensure that relevant operational movements, communication requirements, and information are properly coordinated and communicated through established channels. Follow up on communication-related operational issues and escalate gaps that may affect operational continuity or safety through the appropriate management lines.
• Operational HR & Administrative Coordination: Coordinate and track operational staff attendance and leave information to support accurate operational planning. Support field teams in coordinating HR, finance, and administrative requests with the relevant DRC departments. Support timely reporting of sick leave, unauthorized absences, work-related accidents, and incidents through established DRC reporting lines. Facilitate operational staff administrative requirements necessary for deployment and maintain relevant records in accordance with DRC data protection requirements. Undertake any other related duties assigned by the HMA Operations Manager or Head of HDP in support of operational requirements.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the HMA Operations Team Leader position should possess a minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar operational, project support, AVR, clearance, or Humanitarian Mine Action role. Previous experience in supervising, coordinating, or providing day-to-day management of staff is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in operational planning, coordination, reporting, and data management. Familiarity with operational data management systems such as IMSMA, GIS/mapping, Survey123, and dashboards is required. A good understanding of HMA operations and familiarity with IMAS and national mine action requirements is necessary. Experience in coordinating operational requirements with support functions such as Supply Chain, HR, Finance, and Administration is also important. Strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize competing tasks, and high attention to detail are crucial for success in this role. Proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is expected. The candidate should also possess the ability to coordinate effectively across operational and support departments and work in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Humanitarian Project Management, International Development, business administration, or a related field. A master's degree in a relevant field is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in operational, project support, AVR, clearance, or Humanitarian Mine Action roles. Candidates should have a proven track record of supervising and coordinating staff, as well as experience in operational planning, coordination, reporting, and data management. Familiarity with operational data management systems and a good understanding of HMA operations are essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory, and proficiency in English (advanced, both written and spoken) is highly desirable. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is crucial for the role, as it involves coordination with various stakeholders and reporting requirements.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is 12 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability. The position is classified at Level: Management G, and is located in Rural Damascus – Al Kiswah. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Interested candidates are required to submit a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages), both in the same language as the vacancy note. Applications that consist of CVs only will not be considered. The application process closes on 16 September 202

• DRC emphasizes the importance of ethical and professional conduct in relation to its values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Comprehensive background checks are conducted as part of the recruitment process.