Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose

The role of the Humanitarian Access and Safety Officer entails providing continuous support in overseeing the movement of DRC staff and ensuring the timely dissemination of vital information concerning staff safety and security. This includes the distribution of advisories, alerts, and reports to all personnel. Additionally, the officer will be responsible for performing administrative and safety operational tasks that contribute to the smooth functioning of the Safety Unit’s operations.

Responsibilities

1. Staff movements and accountability oversight and support regional wide:

• Responsible for reviewing all Field Travel Authorization forms submitted by program and ensuring all requested information is present, and correct
• Responsible for allocating the communications and safety equipment
• Responsible for ensuring all program teams receive a pre-departure safety brief, ensuring SOP’s and immediate action drills are covered
• Responsible for conducting pre-departure spot checks, ensuring all vehicles are equipped with the correct safety equipment, and documentation
• Ensure that established movement tracking protocols are adhered to by both the Safety Unit and all DRC staff
• Responsible for the submission of the any travel clearances that may exist
• Responsible for the coordination with logistics staff when directed to support Field level movement oversight and support
• Ensure that appropriate access controls are in place for all DRC facilities
• Conduct site safety and security assessments and advise on mitigation measures, as required.
• Update the MOSS SLS for Borno in collaboration with the Humanitarian Access and Safety Manager.

2. Security incidents and data management:

• SMS Advisories: Draft and disseminate as required SMS alert advisories for DRC staff in the Safety Forum WhatsApp group when relevant and significant security incidents occur, or elevated threat levels are reported
• Email Advisories: Draft and disseminate detailed Email advisories for DRC staff when relevant and significant security incidents occur, or elevated threat levels are reported.
• Review and timely submit the SIR to management as well as online portal.

3. Administrative and Operational support:

• Guard force management: Management of the guard force through ensuring standards of readiness are maintained, guard protocols adhered to and coordination with the guard force supervisors is routinely conducted.
• Ensure that guard payments and other administrative matters that have a direct impact on guard force readiness are completed in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that the contracted guard force maintains a high standard of guarding for all DRC offices and residences, and when required take corrective action in coordination with the Guard force management.
• Asset management: Maintain the Safety Unit’s current asset register and oversight on all assets that are both utilized and stored (Thuraya phones, radio, etc).
• Coordinate with the DRC Logistics and Procurement department to ensure that the overall DRC asset register reflects the Safety Unit’s current asset register.
• Daily-Weekly and Monthly Security Briefing: Responsible for compiling daily, weekly and monthly report for Safety Unit.
• Staff briefings: Provide DRC staff with current contextual briefings.
• Ensure that the DRC owned, and rental vehicles fulfills the minimum safety and security requirements.
• Ensure safety and security protocols of DRC facilities and premises.

4. Support to International Visitors:

• Visitor arrival packet compilation: Compile a current visitor arrival packet as directed. Responsible for maintaining the international visitor orientation record.
• Visitor briefings and orientation: Conducting visitor briefings and orientation on DRC safety systems, and briefing on emergency procedures, and safe rooms etc.
• Carry out any additional responsibilities and tasks as assigned by Area Manager and Country Humanitarian Access and Safety Manager.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Essential:

• Tertiary education (Bachelor minimum) in Security Risk Management, Political Science, Criminology, Sociology, Terrorism and Security studies or related field.
• Three to four years of experience working with NGOs, other international agencies or multinational business
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Stable, moral and robust character and a good team-player
• Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humour
• Proven commitment to accountability practices
• Strong information technology skills

Desirable:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to humanitarian work or risk management
• Competent and literate in English, verbal and written, with a sound knowledge of technical expressions.
• Demonstrative experience in INGO/NGO or UN field (operations) with experience of safety and security.
• Ex service personnel (Military, police or DSS) certificate of honourable discharge will be required.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.) Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to humanitarian work, risk management and/or Security Management, Social Sciences, etc.

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Applications close on the 8th August 2023 at midnight (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.