## **General announcement**

APOPO is building a talent pool of experienced Mine Detection Dog/Technical-Survey Dog (MDD/TSD) professionals to support its expanding operations – **primarily in Ukraine, and potentially in other programs worldwide.**

We are inviting expressions of interest from experienced:

- MDD/TSD Team Leaders
- MDD/TSD Trainers
- MDD/TSD Supervisors
- MDD/TSD Handlers

This announcement is intended to create a ready pool of professionals. As funding and operational needs evolve, multiple positions may be filled over the coming months.

**Important:** This call is strictly for candidates with prior training and operational experience in operating with long leash Mine Detection Dogs (MDD) and/or Technical Survey Dogs (TSD).

## **About APOPO**

APOPO is an innovative international NGO that uses the exceptional scent detection abilities of animals to save lives and restore safe land. Our dogs play a critical role in humanitarian mine action, working alongside skilled national and international teams in challenging environments.

## **Who we are looking for**

We welcome applications from professionals who are motivated to work in a high-impact, operational setting, with strong standards for safety, teamwork, and animal welfare.

**Core requirements (all roles)**

- Proven training and/or operational experience with MDD and/or TSD
- Experience in field-based operations (post-conflict or high-risk/hardship environments)
- Strong commitment to dog welfare, safety, and ethical practice
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams
- Working knowledge of English (required for all roles except Handler)
- Ability to travel internationally, including entry into Ukraine and transit through the EU/Schengen area (visa-free or visa on arrival, depending on nationality)

**Role-specific expectations**

**MDD/TSD Trainers**

- Solid background in training long leash MDD and/or TSD.
- Strong understanding of MDD/TSD training stages, learning theory and welfare.
- Experience in preparing MDD/TSD teams for operational deployment and accreditation within a Mine Action Program.
- Ability to work in challenging field environments and multicultural teams
- Excellent spoken and written English
- High level of physical fitness
- Experience mentoring handlers is an asset

**MDD/TSD Supervisors**

- Demonstrated experience leading MDD/TSD operational teams
- Proven experience in operational planning, coordination, tasking, and reporting
- Strong supervisory and performance management skills
- Strong people management, leadership, and decision-making skills
- Ability to ensure compliance with SOPs, safety standards, and quality requirements
- Experience liaising with operations, logistics, and management staff
- Excellent spoken and written English
- High level of physical fitness

**MDD/TSD Team Leaders**

- Demonstrated experience leading MDD/TSD operational teams
- Strong people management, leadership, and decision-making skills
- Proven experience in operational planning, coordination, tasking, and reporting
- Ability to ensure compliance with SOPs, safety standards, and quality requirements
- Experience liaising with operations, logistics, and management staff
- Excellent spoken and written English
- High level of physical fitness

**MDD/TSD Dog Handlers**

- Certified MDD and/or TSD handler qualification
- Proven operational field experience in mine action
- Strong dog handling skills under real-world operational conditions
- Ability to work independently while following operational and safety procedures
- High level of physical fitness and commitment to canine welfare

## **What we offer**

- A meaningful role in humanitarian mine action
- A competitive salary scale and benefits, aligned with role and location
- Accommodation, insurance, leave, and travel benefits (for international roles)
- The opportunity to work with highly skilled teams, human and canine, making a tangible and lasting impact