Contract: Part Time (50%) with flexible working patterns, 12-Month fixed term contract
Location: UK-based (hybrid or fully remote) with potential for some travel
Salary: Circa £14,000 per annum, full time pro – rata salary £28,000.
Reports to: Head of Research and Development
About HALO:
The HALO Trust is the world’s largest and oldest international humanitarian mine action non-government organisation (NGO). 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.
HALO is known for its work to clear landmines, but we also lead on dealing with unexploded ordnance, from bullets to aircraft bombs, and we educate communities to keep them safe. In addition, we build safe arms stores and systems for securing guns. HALO was established in Afghanistan in 1988 and now employs over 12,000 staff in 30 countries and territories.
About the role:
The HALO Trust is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Technology Research Assistant to support a review of current and emerging sensor technology with relevance to landmine detection. This work will be grounded in the real-world challenges of humanitarian demining, which takes place in a wide variety of environments—from hot and humid jungles to frozen terrain—requiring practical understanding and appreciation of these operational contexts. This will include looking at technological developments in the last twenty years in parallel industries, as well as new technologies which are starting to emerge, and the barriers that exist to their commercialisation and field deployment. The aim is to produce a report that will act as a guide for academic researchers, donors (both public and private), and industry on key avenues for development in the medium-term that meet the requirements of the humanitarian demining challenge. The Technology Research Assistant will also assist with the development of a transformative “moonshot†concept aimed at revolutionizing humanitarian demining.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct literature reviews and background research on existing and emerging sensing technologies with potential application in landmine detection.
- Support the planning and execution of interviews and consultations with technologists, donors, partners, and other relevant organisations and people.
- Help synthesise findings into a comprehensive feasibility study and project concept document.
- Assist the Director of Transformation and the Head of Research and Development in researching and developing a concept for a long-term, high-impact moonshot project in humanitarian demining.
- Contribute to the preparation of presentations, reports, and other materials for internal and external stakeholders.
- Maintain organized records of research sources, interview notes, and project documentation.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., science, technology, engineering, or related disciplines); a graduate degree is preferred.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex technical information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Interest in humanitarian innovation, technology for development, or post-conflict recovery.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
- Experience with stakeholder engagement or qualitative research methods is an advantage.
This is a 12-month fixed term position. We are not able to sponsor a visa for this role; please ensure you have the ongoing right to work in the UK.
Benefits
- Non-contributory Life Assurance (3 x salary)
- Private medical health cover
- Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas
- Workplace Pension with up to 5% contributions matched by HALO
- Occupational Health services including physiotherapy support and counselling support
- Flexible working policy
To apply for this role, please submit your CV and supporting statement (no more than one page) detailing why you are suitable for this role, before the closing date for applications which is 29th June 2025. If there is a sufficient calibre of applicants, we reserve the right to close the role earlier than the date noted.
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 form a diverse candidate pool.