The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights.

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs working in 40 countries worldwide and has been operating in Ukraine since 2014. With the outbreak of the current phase of the conflict in February 2022, DRC has shifted its programming to emergency response to meet the urgent needs of conflict-affected population throughout the country and is currently undergoing a significant scale up in operations to meet the current need. Current DRC programming is focusing on protection activities, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), NFI and Food distributions, Shelter & WASH interventions, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Demining and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education. DRC currently has 7 offices in the country and is in a growth phase to respond to the need. DRC is currently looking for a Safety Specialist to be based in Chernihiv with often field travels to Kyiv, Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts.

Overall purpose of the role

In close collaboration with the Country Safety Manager, advise DRC safety risk management systems (SRMS) throughout the country program so as to ensure safe and effective programing including a proactive role in ensuring the Area North offices compliance to the Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS). Provide accurate, timely and proactive advice on context updates and access constraints and recommend solutions to problems for the Area North staff, focusing on HDP demining teams based in Ichnia and Ivankiv. Be the main focal point for the safety-related questions and processes in the Area North.

Geographical scope

This role will be based in the Chernihiv Area office but will work to support operations in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, with approximately 50% HDP Bases support, 50% Chernihiv and Sumy offices support.

Main responsibilities

Assists in the development and oversee the implementation of DRC safety risk management systems (SRMS), including policies, plans and procedures in areas of operation.
Advise North Area Manager on evolving trends in the conflict and any access constraints
Support the Safety Officer in providing administrative and technical support to the programs to ensure that project activities are implemented in a secure, safe and effective manner
Ensure Area North offices compliance to the MOSS
Collect, verify, analyze and report information that affects, or may affect, DRC operations
Maintain a network of local contacts
Monitor movements, report on irregularities, and initiate emergency response if needed, within the North area of responsibility
Adapt safety risk training to the country context
Prepare and submit Safety Incident Reports (SIR)
Conduct site safety assessments and identify new office spaces, guesthouses, warehouses, and other sites as required. This can include regular safety audits, such as checking fire extinguishers, safe room supplies, first aid kits, emergency communication equipment, and physical security elements (MOSS), and so on
Conduct Safety Risk Assessments (SRAs)
Ensure that appropriate access controls are in place for all DRC facilities within the North area of operation
Support the Country Safety Manager in the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Contingency Plans (CP), threat assessments, and other documents
Deliver pre/post arrival briefs to incoming staff
Update local safety rules, security phone trees, and safety briefs
Assist in implementing realistic DRC safety policies, protocols, and procedures
Oversee the procurement / issuing of safety and protective equipment within the duty station and for HDP Bases
Assist in developing DRC Safety Improvement Plans (SIP) for any safety gaps identified
Within duty station and for all Area North offices, monitor risks including, but not limited to, the DRC traffic light system and alert relevant parties in case of an emergency with relevant, compassionate and clear advice
Support incident response
In collaboration with the Country Safety Manager, regularly review and update the MOSS and Safety Level System (SLS)
Any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the supervisor
Together with Safety Manager take part in adapting and implementing policies, protocols and procedures
Maintain relevant safety documentation, data and records for the areas of concern
Develop the capacity of, and coordinate, relevant Crisis Management Teams (CMTs)
Provide day-to-day technical support to the North Area Safety team
Advise and initiate on the procurement of safety-related equipment, facilities and other resources.

Training and support

Support and deliver safety-related training to staff
Advise and provide technical supervision to Area North Safety staff
Support IMT in the event of its activation

Information Management

Support in the maintenance of the structure of the DRC safety information portal (SharePoint) and ensuring information pertinent to the duty station is up to date, relevant and accessible to a range of users.

Reports to

Technical by Country Safety Manager, and Line Management by Area North Manager.

Required experience and competencies

Willing to learn
Team player
Emotional intelligence
Collaborative but with the ability to work independently
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in security operations and management
Experience working in multicultural work settings
Experience with information gathering
Excellent skills in MS Office
Experience working in hostile or hazardous environments
Advanced English proficiency preferred

We offer

Contract length: 3 months renewable depending on performance and funding.
Duty Station: Chernihiv
Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.
Medical and Health Insurance

Application process:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages in English).

Closing date for application – September 10th , 2023

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes
Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback
Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation
Communicating: Listening and speaking 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

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you had to assess a safety risk?	To evaluate your analytical skills in identifying potential dangers.	Detail the situation, the risks assessed, and how you addressed them.
How do you prioritize safety in a fast-paced environment?	To understand your ability to manage multiple safety concerns simultaneously.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Give an example of how you've trained others in safety protocols.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle a safety breach at a site?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe how you build and maintain a network of local contacts for safety updates.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.