Who are we?

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. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Overall purpose of the role

The regional safety coordinator (RSC) will advise and assist the Executive Regional Director (ERD), the regional senior management team and country directors to develop and implement DRC’s Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) across DRC programming in the region. Fully implementing the SRMS will ensure that DRC meets an appropriate level of duty of care for those who fall under DRC’s responsibility as per Global Safety Policy.

The RSC reports to the Executive Regional Director (ERD) with a technical line to the Head of Global Safety (HoGS) at HQ.

Duties and Responsibilities

Safety Risk Management System

• Assist and monitor the development of country operation safety risk assessments (SRAs); supervise and endorse the assessment of safety levels; ensure that the safety level system is kept current.
• Advise the ERD and SMT on available safety management strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks.
• Assist in the development of safety plans, including local safety rules (LSRs); standard operating procedures (SOPs); critical incident management plans (CIMPs); and minimum operating safety standards (MOSS)
• Support the implementation of safety improvement plans (SIPs) and assist in the implementation of staff capacity training plans, including the delivery and prioritization of training modules, specifically personal awareness, and safety training (HEAT/PAST) and incident management team (IMT) training to country operations.
• Develop and maintain regional safety operating procedures (RSOPs) and support the contextualization of the RSOPs at country and area levels, as necessary.
• Undertake regular MOSS audits across the region.

Technical support, advice, and capacity building

• Provide technical supervision and support to all senior safety staff across the region. Develop their skills and knowledge through constructive feedback, training events and supporting personal development goals.
• Assist country offices with the selection, recruitment, and professional development of safety staff.
• Provide regular analysis, statistics, and reporting on key developments within the region to ERD and HoGS.
• Provide safety advice as part of programme development and during programme implementation, including programme assessments.
• Identify potential scenarios, indicators of change and key decision points.
• Conduct ad hoc safety risk assessments post incident or due to low levels of MOSS compliance.
• Ensure risk registers identify safety risks where relevant and work with SMT on identifying risk treatments and porgramme or operation access constraints.
• Act as the focal point for technical advice on procurement and installation of safety-related equipment.
• Provide strong oversight to consortium’s where DRC is involved to ensure that an appropriate level of duty of care is maintained.
• Oversee the travel clearance request system to ensure compliance.

Representation

• Be the focal point for safety co-ordination between relevant actors.
• Attend IAWG Regional Security Forum (RSF), INSO, UN and other relevant external fora.
• Establish a network of contacts and represent DRC at security meetings.

Incident and critical incident management and response

• Support the establishment and maintenance of the Regional CIMT and country-level IMTs.
• Coordinate the CIMT in the event of a critical incident.
• Ensure effective country-level CIMPs are in place.
• Brief CIMT members on their responsibilities and ensure alternate members are available and briefed.
• Assist in the management of safety incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports.

• Conduct After Action Reviews following a critical incident.

Experience and technical competencies:

To be successful in this role, we expect you to be a positive, mature leader with a proven track record of developing and implementing safety related initiatives. You thrive in managing a wide range of responsibilities and can effectively communicate and coordinate regional safety processes. You are an effective people manager and enjoy working with teams of committed staff to build collaboration and capacity within the regional team and in support of country operations.

• Relevant university degree (in lieu of degree, at least 8 years’ experience in the safety and security sector not including military experience)
• At least 5 years in security and safety management including international safety and security experience in several countries, preferably within the current region.
• At least two years as a safety and security manager with an INGO at a country or regional level; preferably with experience in high-risk environments
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective and contextualized safety and security protocols and systems.
• Ability to be flexible and demonstrate an innovative approach to safety risk management.
• Substantial experience in information gathering, analysis and report writing, including conducting and producing high quality SRAs.
• Demonstrated experience with critical incident management.
• Demonstrated experience with delivering effective safety-related training.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Stable, dedicated team-player with a good sense of humor and a high level of personal integrity
• Excellent communication skills
• Willingness to travel at least 50% of the time.

• Fluent in written and spoken English; proficiency in a regional language is an advantage including French.

Languages

• English (Fluent)

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: (24) Months

Position Band: This position will be placed at Non-Management (E) band.

Start date: February 2024

Duty station: Tbilisi, Georgia

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]

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: January 14th, 2024

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