Safety Manager, East Ukraine (National/ International contract)

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Safety Manager to support our safety team in East Ukraine. Prior police or military experience is not a requirement for this job.

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. In addition, the Safety Manager oversees a growing team of Safety Assistants, Officers, and Specialists to ensure an effective and harmonized approach across oblasts. The role covers eastern Ukraine, including government-controlled areas of the following oblasts: Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure application of the DRC Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) to cover all DRC program locations in eastern 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 eastern 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 Kharkiv 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.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years as a Security Manager/Advisor for an NGO in a high risk/conflict zone (or equivalent role).
• Proven experience in context/security analysis and advising humanitarian personnel.
• Experience in developing and updating SOP’s, 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.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluent English required;
• Knowledge or Ukrainian and/or Russian an added value;

We offer

• Contract length: 12 months
• Band: band F
• Designation of Duty Station: Non-family duty station
• Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.