BackgroundErik Tollefsen is the team leader for the mechanical demining section as well as the GICHD’s technology officer. Erik Tollefsen joined the GICHD in 2004. He first got involved in ERW and mine clearance in Lebanon in 1991 and later in Bosnia in 1992 and 1993. His work experience and education has focused on the fields of programme management, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and mechanical demining. He worked for NPA’s Mine Action programmes for seven years. Erik Tollefsen has a background as an EOD officer with the Norwegian Army and has completed a four year teacher training college, with focus on training of trainers. The mechanical demining section is carrying out studies on how to increase the effectiveness of mechanical applications in humanitarian demining. The section is planning and implementing operational support to mine affected countries and assisting UNMAS in writing the mechanical demining IMAS series. It is assisting the European Committee for Standardisation in the development of CEN mechanical demining standards as well as providing an interface between users, R&D institutions, manufacturers, national authorities and donors of mechanical demining equipment. As the GICHD's technology officer, Erik Tollefsen will provide advice to field users, R&D institutions and manufacturers of mine and UXO detection equipment. He represents the GICHD at ITEP meetings and trials, assists national authorities of mine affected countries in the application of detection technology as well as being the GICHD's focal point for technology. |
