Head of Research and Development

Location: Remote working, UK based, with regular travel to UK offices and international programmes

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Director of Capability, within the HQ Transformation Group

Start date: as soon as possible

About The HALO Trust

The HALO Trust is the world’s largest and oldest international humanitarian mine action non-government organisation (INGO). For over thirty years we have been saving lives and helping war-torn communities recover, by making their land safe. Our mission is to protect lives and restore the livelihoods of those affected by conflict.

While HALO is best known for clearing landmines, we also deal with unexploded ordnance, from bullets to aircraft bombs, and educate communities to keep them safe. Additionally, we build secure arms storage and systems for securing firearms. Founded in Afghanistan in 1998, HALO now employs over 11,000 staff across 30 countries and territories.

About the role

The Head of Research and Development (R&D) leads and coordinates activities to identify, develop, improve, and adopt equipment and techniques that enhance the safety and efficiency of HALO’s operations worldwide.

The Head of R&D manages a team of specialists in detectors, machinery, UAVs and other equipment who conduct R&D activity and support HALO’s programmes globally.

The R&D Department is part of HALO’s Capability Directorate which oversees and supports operational excellence across the organisation. The department’s scope includes techniques for landmine clearance, non-technical survey, battle area clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and technology including metal detectors, ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry, crewed and remote-control machinery, UAVs, and robotics. The R&D team works closely with experts across the Capability Directorate and other parts of the organisation.

As a senior operational role in the organisation, the Head of R&D is also a key contributor to global leadership on safety, operational, and technical matters as part of the Capability Directorate.

The role is based in the UK (remote or hybrid) with regular travel to UK offices for meetings, and regular international travel to programmes and other events. Overseas travel is an integral part of this role and will be approximately 20 weeks per year.

Your leadership will be required to manage a dispersed and continuously travelling team while ensuring alignment with management in the Programmes Group who we are supporting.

Responsibilities:

Leadership of R&D activities

• Oversee the planning and execution of R&D projects in line with the technology strategy (when available) and in support of programme priorities.
• Conduct visits to HALO programmes to assess current clearance tools and methodologies, making recommendations for improvements and development.
• Conduct analysis of HALO clearance data and to identify trends and improvement areas.
• Ensure that R&D is conducted safely, efficiently, and effectively.
• Own and develop documentation and systems for conducting R&D projects including guidelines, document templates, project monitoring tools, use of Confluence.
• Drive the adoption of successful technology and techniques across the organisation.
• Provide advice and support to programme and HQ staff in relation to R&D, adoption of technology, and procurement of specialist equipment.
• Oversee internal communication on HALO’s R&D activities and plans.

External engagement

• Monitor developments in humanitarian demining and broader technology fields to identify opportunities.
• Represent HALO in international forums on innovation in mine action through participation in events, writing articles, and engaging with the media (in coordination with the HQ Communications Department).
• Lead on relationships with key external stakeholders relevant to R&D including donors, suppliers, and academics.

Funding and donor management

• Work with the Strategy and Fundraising Departments to identify and secure funding from public and private sources.
• Oversee donor contracts related to R&D funding, including proposal submissions, reporting, financial monitoring, and liaising with donors, including for the global US Humanitarian Demining R&D Program contract.
• Oversee the recharging of R&D staff time to contracts in line with agreed targets and programme budgets.
• Monitor spending of HQ funds in relation to the R&D department.

Team management and development

• Provide effective leadership of a dispersed and continuously travelling team while liaising closely with management staff in the Programmes Group.
• Manage the members of the R&D team (expected to be seven staff in 2025), handling administrative and managerial duties, setting priorities, workplans, travel schedules, and reviewing plans and reports.
• Advise the Director of Capability on the structure of the department and requirements for additional staff or changes of role, and lead on the recruitment of new staff if required.
• Support team development through mentoring, delegation, and guidance.
• Manage any contractors working directly with the R&D team.

Other support

• Collaborate with and support other activities within the Capability Directorate or elsewhere as required.
• Assist with the development of global standards and policy in relation to safety and operational methods.

General

• Uphold HALO’s core values and standards, promoting its ethos and mission statement.
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all HALO policies and procedures and keep informed of HALO activities.
• Act as Duty Officer as and when required.

Requirements

Essential:

• Proven ability to manage research projects.
• A very strong interest in the technical and technological details of mine action as well as the procedural and human aspects which support it.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Very strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and cultures, inside and outside the organisation.
• Excellent writing skills which can be adapted to a range of contexts and requirements.
• Management experience in a remote and hybrid working environment across multiple time zones.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with a flexible and adaptable approach.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in technical or related subject.
• Five years’ experience in Humanitarian Mine Action operations, including supervision, quality management, procedural development, and equipment trials.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 28 days (3 to be used at Christmas) plus 8 statutory holidays.
• Non-contributory life assurance (3 x times salary)
• Private medical health cover.
• Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5%.
• Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas.
• Flexible working policy.

Please submit a CV (2-3 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by 28th November 2024. We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. 

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.