Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Officer (Odesa)

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Job Title: Humanitarian AccessSafety & Security Officer Location: Odesa Department: Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security - Operations

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries, IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to survive.

More than 3.6 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million Ukrainians are reported to be displaced. As the vast majority of the displaced are women, girls, and boys, this could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to an emergency response, and have identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is the most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC is establishing operations across Ukraine and Poland to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

SCOPE OF WORK: The IRC is seeking a Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Officer (HASSO) for its Ukraine operations based in Odesa. The HASSO will work within the corresponding Office with technical support from the Humanitarian Access and Security Department, to ensure that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, are contextually appropriate and known to staff. He will also be in charge of creating a strong network with all the actors in the area and maintain excellent relations with the local authorities. Reporting to the Humanitarian Access, Security & Safety Manager, the HASSO will implement IRC Safety & Security management measures, as well as support in providing contextual analysis and understanding to decision makers. The HASSO will prioritise the humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care and the IRC’s strategy action plans for Ukraine in their work. The HASSO will conduct onsite briefings for staff, support the development and implementation of appropriate plans, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans. S/he will support in providing expert humanitarian security and advice to the IRC staff in Odesa, contextual understanding, advisories, and incident management.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION: Managerial Reporting to: The Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Manager Technical Reporting to: the Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Coordinator Supervises: If any security staff as program expands. Key Interfaces: Operations teams, Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Department and other relevant staff as necessary with program expansion.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety and Security Management Support IRC by providing technical support to the wider team on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security. Support IRC in evaluating, reviewing and updating security management plans on a regular basis. Reference and ensure compliance to the IRC Security Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes. Support IRC and the HA&SS Dpt. in working with key stakeholders to develop, consolidate and implement operating procedures and contingency plans. Support IRC and the HA&SS Dpt in evaluating, reviewing and updating the hibernation and evacuation plans and ensure that practical preparations are in place and known to all relevant staff. Support IRC and the HA&SS Dpt in conducting risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices, residences and hotel. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards. Support IRC and the HA&SS Dpt in undertaking continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met. Implement best possible solutions for use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff, including proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards Support IRC and the HA&SS Dpt in ensuring safety and security protocols, reporting mechanisms, and capacity building initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles and background, and are sensitive to local contexts. In charge to track all the movement in Ukraine.

Networking and Liaison Monitor and provide support and reporting on NGO security initiatives, as required.

Work to ensure that IRC, its mission and work in all areas of operation is known and accepted. Work to encourage stakeholders to collaborate with IRC in ensuring that staff are safe and given permission to continue humanitarian activities in Ukraine Liaise with relevant security actors e.g., NGO security staff, security forces, local community stakeholders, local authorities.

Context Understanding and Reporting Compile and submit regular reports that track incidents and trends in local security contexts. Submit daily contextual updates as needed to relevant staff. Work closely with IRC management teams to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately. Ensure that final incident reports are provided when IRC is closing the case. Monitor the operating environment in the region, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities and recommend possible responses

Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents along with appropriate advice to IRC.

REQUIREMENTS

Job Requirements

Education: Graduation from a higher education facility in a relevant subject is preferred, however secondary eduction and significant professional experience will be considered.

Work Experience: Demonstrable experience of civilian, non-profit or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs, having understaken planning, organizing and executing security operations in the field. Experience of obtaining information on local, national, and international development, and providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur (both written and verbal) Demonstrated Leadership Competencies: Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders Strong negotiation and mediation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution essential Superior oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, local authorities, government etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.

Languages Required/Preferred: Fluency in spoken and written Ukrainian, Russian and English.

Computer/Other Requirements: Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Ability to Travel: up to 20% traveling if needed.

This position will be based in locations where IRC have presence. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs

Professional Standards The International Rescue Committee is determined to protect the people it serves and staff from all kinds of harm, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. It is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe. IRC builds diverse and inclusive teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces its safeguarding policies to protect adult and child clients from any form of exploitation and abuse, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and its staff from sexual harassment and violence.

Where misconduct is alleged, IRC follows a Zero tolerance approach and takes all necessary actions and corrective measures. IRC investigation unit comprises of experts and trained investigators that ensures professional survivor-centered investigations are conducted if allegations of safeguarding violations are reported through the safe and accessible reporting channels that IRC makes available to its staff, partners, and clients.

These commitments are set out in IRC’s Safeguarding Policies, accessible in English and in Ukrainian language via this link: https://rescue.box.com/v/irc-safeguarding-policies.

IRC is an active member of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) set-up in Ukraine.

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