1.     Mission 1: Safety and SOP compliance

·       Ensure 100% compliance with HI SOPs, safety rules and approved drills by every member of the team, at all times and without exception.

·       Conduct daily safety briefings before work starts, covering the task, hazards, safety distances, emergency and CASEVAC procedures.

·       Check that all team members wear and use PPE correctly, and stop any unsafe act immediately.

·       Ensure the worksite is correctly laid out, marked and controlled, including safety distances, control points, and medical and CASEVAC arrangements.

·       Confirm that a medic, CASEVAC vehicle and communications are in place and working before any hazardous work begins; do not start or continue work if they are not.

·       Stop work when conditions become unsafe (weather, fatigue, faulty equipment, an unexpected find or security concern) and report to the TFM.

·       Report all accidents, incidents and near-misses to the TFM immediately and support any investigation.      
 

2.     Mission 2: Team management and day-to-day operations

·       Plan, organise and run the daily work of the team(s) in line with the task orders and priorities set by the TFM.

·       Allocate team members to tasks according to their training, qualifications and experience.

·       Supervise High Risk Searchers on site, making sure each one carries out the duties and responsibilities in their own job description.

·       Correct deviations from SOPs or drills on the spot, retrain where needed, and report repeated or serious breaches to the TFM.

·       Manage team attendance, working hours, rest breaks and rotation to prevent fatigue.

·       Manage team equipment, vehicles and consumables; ensure pre-use checks are done and faults are reported and repaired.

·       Ensure clearance and EOD tasks are carried out safely, including preparation for controlled demolitions as directed by the TFM or CoOps.

·       Maintain good relations and communication with local communities and authorities at the worksite, in coordination with the TFM.
 

3.     Mission 3: Reporting and communication with the TFM

·       Work directly with the TFM, providing accurate and timely updates on progress, problems and requirements.

·       Complete daily and weekly task reports, worksite records, EO find and destruction records, and any other documentation required by SOPs and IMSMA.

·       Ensure all records are accurate, complete and submitted on time.

·       Raise operational, security, HR or logistics issues with the TFM promptly.

·       Prepare the team and the worksite for internal and external Quality Assessment/Quality Control visits, and act on their findings.
 

4.     Mission 4: Project monitoring, targets and understanding

The Team Leader assists the TFM in tracking project performance and makes sure the team understands what the project is trying to achieve.

·       Understand the project's objectives, donor requirements, geographical priorities and agreed targets (e.g. square metres released, EO items destroyed, tasks completed, people reached by RE).

·       Track the team's daily and weekly outputs against these targets, and help the TFM monitor progress against the work plan.

·       Flag early to the TFM any risk of delays or shortfalls, with the reasons (weather, access, contamination levels, equipment, staffing) and suggested solutions.

·       Provide accurate data and inputs for the TFM's weekly and monthly reports, donor reports and IMSMA submissions, and help check them for consistency.

·       Collect relevant field information such as beneficiary feedback, land-use information after release, and community concerns, and pass it to the TFM.

·       Explain to the team, in simple terms, how their work contributes to project goals and to the communities they serve.

·       Contribute ideas to improve efficiency, quality and safety, and take part in planning and lessons-learned discussions when invited by the TFM.

5.     Mission 5: Explosives storage areas and equipment

·       When directed by the TFM or CoOps, supervise the team's work on maintenance of explosive storage areas, such as cleaning, vegetation clearance, fencing, signage, fire-fighting equipment and security.

·       Ensure explosives and detonators are drawn, transported, used and returned in line with storage and accountability procedures, with all records completed.

·       Ensure no team member handles, moves or accesses explosive stocks without authorisation and supervision.

·       Report any damage, deterioration, security concern or discrepancy to the TFM or CoOps without delay.
 

6.     Mission 6: Staff development and team cohesion

·       Coach and mentor the Deputy Team Leader and High Risk Searchers, and identify training needs.

·       Support delivery of on-the-job training and refresher training, in coordination with the TFM.

·       Contribute to the performance appraisal of team members.

·       Promote teamwork, discipline, mutual respect and HI values within the team.

·       Brief and hand over responsibilities clearly to the Deputy Team Leader whenever absent.

7.     Mission 7: Individual operational duties

The Team Leader keeps all the individual safety and operational duties of a High Risk Searcher, including:

·       Following SOPs and approved drills at all times.

·       Wearing and using PPE correctly.

·       Being accountable for personal equipment issued.

·       Carrying out search and clearance tasks personally when required by the task or the TFM.

8.     Other tasks

·       Any other tasks as directed by the TFM or CoOps.

·       Driving to and from the workplace and other locations may be requested from time to time (valid licence required where applicable).
 

9.     Physical requirements and working conditions
The role is physically demanding and is carried out mostly outdoors, alongside the team on site. The Team Leader must be able to:

·       Remain physically active for a full working day, moving across the worksite to supervise lanes and
sections, including kneeling, crouching and bending.

·       Lift, carry and move work tools and equipment, such as detectors, hand tools, marking materials, PPE, communications equipment and water, over uneven ground, often on foot where vehicles cannot reach.

·       Wear PPE (protective vest/apron and visor or helmet) for extended periods, including in high summer heat and cold winter conditions.

·       Work in rural, remote and urban areas, including rubble, collapsed structures and areas with limited facilities.

·       Maintain good eyesight, hearing and concentration, as these are essential for safe supervision of demining activities.

·       Working days may start early to avoid peak heat, and field deployments may involve travel to locations away from the base.

10.   Hazardous nature of the work

Demining is an inherently hazardous occupation. The Team Leader and their team will work in areas contaminated by landmines, ERW and IEDs, where there is a real risk of serious injury or death. HI reduces this risk through SOPs, training, supervision, PPE, medical support and quality management, but no measure can remove it completely. As the senior person on site, the Team Leader carries a particular responsibility for the safety of the whole team.

By accepting this position, the Team Leader acknowledges this risk and commits to:

·       Follow SOPs, safety rules and instructions from the TFM at all times, without exception or shortcuts, and require the same of every team member.

·       Never allow work to start or continue without the required medical, CASEVAC and communications cover in place.

·       Stop work and report immediately if conditions are unsafe, equipment is faulty, or any team member, including themselves, is unfit to work e.g. through illness, fatigue or medication.

·       Never work, or allow any team member to work, under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

·       Organize and lead regular CASEVAC drills, and ensure every team member knows the site emergency procedures.

The Team Leader must support any team member who refuses or stops a task they believe to be unsafe, review the concern, and raise it with the TFM, without any disciplinary action against that team member.

11.   Training requirements
The Team Leader must hold, or successfully complete, HI's mandatory training and assessment before taking up the role, and keep their qualifications current. Prior experience does not exempt a candidate from HI's own assessment.

·       Deminer/high risk search qualification: completion of HI's initial course (or a recognised equivalent validated by HI), in line with IMAS and HI SOPs.

·       Team Leader / supervisor course: delivered or recognised by HI, covering worksite management, supervision, reporting and emergency procedures, ending in a theory and practical test. Passing it is a condition of appointment.

·       EOD qualification: IMAS EOD level appropriate to the tasks the team carries out, as required by HI SOPs and the TFM.

·       First aid / trauma care: first aid and CASEVAC training, refreshed periodically, including how to lead a CASEVAC response.

·       Explosives handling and demolitions: training in the safe handling, transport, storage and accountability of explosives and in preparing controlled demolitions.

·       Reporting and data: training in HI reporting formats and IMSMA data collection.

·       Refresher training: periodic refreshers, and re-training after long absences, SOP changes or quality findings.

·       On-the-job assessment: performance is monitored by the TFM and during internal and external Quality Assessments.

·       Further development: Team Leaders may be put forward for advanced training subject to programme needs, funding, and availability.