Humanitarian Access and Safety Officer Ukraine Kharkiv

The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer provides a range of support in humanitarian access, safety, and security within the area. Under the supervision of the HAS Coordinator, the HAS Officer supports the implementation and monitoring of the NRC's HAS Policy, plans, procedures, trackers, and processes in the North-East Area Office and related Field Office in Shostka, Sumska Oblast. This role requires frequent presence in the field supporting the safe and principled delivery of programmes and the Duty of Care for NRC staff.

Generic responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the NRC Global HAS Management System at area level, prepare reports as required, and execute area/field office-focused elements of the HAS Operational Plan. 
• Contribute to a culture of enabling a safe and principled humanitarian response and support the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards. 
• Support the development of area/field-level HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in line with organizational standards.
• Assist the HAS Manager/Coordinator with Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments, including Rapid SRAs for new operational locations, collaborating with management to identify and implement relevant mitigation measures and support safe programming.
• Conduct drills and train staff in access, safety, and security topics and provide regular briefings.
• In coordination with the HAS Manager and the line manager, liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities, and other external actors to share and obtain security information to inform operations and security management as well as increase humanitarian access and protect humanitarian space at the area level with the preparation of further report to HAS Coordinator.
• Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies and procedures.
• Conduct physical verifications of all HAS related equipment.

• Prepare reports as required.

  Advertisement

Specific responsibilities:

• Prepare and facilitate HAS induction sessions for new area/field office staff, as well as briefings and debriefings with colleagues or visitors sharing relevant information about activity locations, emphasizing practical safety and security risks prevention and mitigation measures and reporting mechanisms.
• Keep up to date all necessary information for HAS documents including Safe Mission Planning (SMP), Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), Hibernation, Relocation, and Evacuation Plan (HREP), and Medical Evacuation Plan (MEDEVAC).
• Conduct site assessments for all new rental premises and provide any safety and security measures to be addressed prior to use. Follow up on the implementation of identified measures for these infrastructures. 
• Ensure vehicle and staff movements are monitored according to procedures and that necessary safety and security equipment within each vehicle is available and in good condition.
• Accompany colleagues and/or visitors regularly to the field to identify, plan and implement HAS procedures, enrich security risk assessments, and support in obtaining and maintaining humanitarian access.
• Request or generate user creation for new area personnel in the online travel authorisation request system. Verify and approve travel requests for activities and visits within the area.
• Keep the area personnel communication tree updated, conduct test activations and assist in headcount procedures.
• Ensure necessary training for the correct use of alternative communication system devices, in coordination with Support teams.
• After certification, facilitate the planning and execution of the Hostile Environment Individual Security Training (HEIST), Field First Aid, and fire safety training periodically for Area staff, maintaining the corresponding training tracker.
• Promote and facilitate the proper reporting, documentation, and support the management of HAS incidents in the area/field office.
• Facilitate staff hibernation or relocation in emergency situations.
• Promote Safeguarding principles and commitments within NRC and amongst communities served by NRC.
• Perform any other tasks related to HAS and the position as delegated by the line manager.
  
   

Generic professional competencies:

• Minimum two years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development operations.
• Foundational understanding of Humanitarian Principles and their application in programmatic and advocacy responses, NGO safety and risk management, and humanitarian access. 
• Previous experience working in complex contexts.
• Proficient in MS Office applications including Word and Excel.
• Working proficiency in English language, both written and verbal.
   

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in liaising with communities and authorities as well as with NGOs.
• Working proficiency and/or conversational English is an added value.
   

What do We Offer

This position is open to candidates who have the legal right to work in Ukraine. Please note that we are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible;

We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be screened on a rolling basis and interviews will be assigned instantly until a suitable candidate is selected.