Safety Manager

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations. DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 600 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2022 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Safety Manager is responsible for ensuring the proper application of DRC’s Safety Risk Management System (SRMS), including Global Safety Policy; identifying known and foreseen risks; and determining and implementing appropriate mitigation measures, mechanisms, and procedures. The Safety Manager oversees a team of Safety Officers to ensure an effective and harmonized approach across oblasts. Responsible for providing accurate, timely, and proactive advice on context updates and access constraints and recommending solutions to problems for the Area North staff, focusing on HDP demining teams based in Ichnia and Ivankiv. The main focal point for the safety-related questions and processes in the North Area, including Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kyiv oblasts.

Geographic scope: 

This role will be based in the Chernihiv Area office but will work to support operations in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, with approximately 50% HDP Bases support, 50% Chernihiv and Sumy offices support

Responsibilities:

In accordance with DRC Safety policy, the Safety Manager will:

• Ensure the DRC Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) is applied to cover all DRC program locations in northern Ukraine.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of safety staff and the area and base office; provide capacity building, mentoring, and training.
• Manage the Safety Level System (SLS) for field sites based on individual Safety Risk Assessments (SRA) and ensure they strive to improve compliance with Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS).
• Identify actual, perceived and foreseeable risks to maintain program continuity and enhance resilience through robust security and risk management.
• Lead the adaption and implementation of contextualized risk management policy, protocols, and procedures in close collaboration with the country Safety Manager and Area Manager.
• Facilitate program access and continuity through the provision of timely, quality, and informed advice.
• Maintain relevant safety documentation, data, and records (staff presence lists, training register, incident tracking, maps, etc.)
• Produce weekly and quarterly security analysis/reports (including ad hoc daily updates, weekly summaries, and monthly trend analysis) where requested. Support area-based safety staff in contributing to the analysis.
• Create and deliver high quality security trainings that reach a maximum number of national and international staff. Develop and facilitate workshops for area-based staff.
• Ensure staff traveling to northern Ukraine receive a safety briefing on arrival and are included in area safety systems.
• Provide safety input to meetings and support the Area Manager and Sumy Base Manager in the decision-making process.
• Coordinate with the Country Crisis Management Team (CMT) when needed, and take part in the program Incident Management Teams (IMT)
• Support the development of the capacity of Incident Management Teams (IMTs) at area level.
• Work with the Area Manager and the Head of Support Services to ensure that safety is adequately budgeted for in grants.
• Act as the focal point for the procurement of safety-related equipment, facilities and other resources.
• Develop, maintain, and participate in networks for (safety) information sharing.

Reports to

•Technical by Country Safety Manager, and Line Management by Area North Manager

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years as a Security Manager/Advisor for an NGO in a high-risk/conflict zone (or equivalent role)
• Master degree in relevant subject preferred but not required
• Proven experience in context/security analysis and advising humanitarian personnel
• Experience in developing and updating SOPs, contingency plans, and other risk assessment and management documents and tools.
• Proven experience in incident/crisis management.
• Experience in conducting safety training for international and national staff, and experience of capacity building.
• Ability to provide conflict analysis (written).
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Computer literate, able to use all common software packages.
• Be able to encourage, motivate and guide team members to approach safety and security issues with confidence especially during crises.
• Be flexible to travel at short notice to difficult and risky areas.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Fluent English required;

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• •Contract length: 6 months renewable depending on performance and funding.
• •Duty Station: Chernihiv
• •Start date: As soon as possible.
• •Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 30th November 

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.