Safety and Access Officer

Title: Safety and Access Officer (Readvertised)
Location: Mekelle
Employment Category: H2
Salary Range: As per the organization scale
Reporting To: Area Manager
Contract Duration:
Posting date: March 03, 2025
Required Employee: 1

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. DRC Ethiopia began operations in 2009 and has been responding to the needs of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities ever since. DRC Ethiopia currently has programs implemented through five area offices (AO) in Gambella, Tigray, Somali (Jijiga & Dollo Ado) and Afar regions, as well as its country office (CO) in Addis Ababa.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Safety and Access Officer will oversee safety matters directly or indirectly related to all DRC personnel, assets, and programs within the Area. This includes ensuring the Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) and responsibility for planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting measures required to support programme continuity. S/he will also coordinate day-to-day movement and transportation as per standards, operation procedures, rules, and regulations. The Safety and Access Officer will also complement the liaison and coordination efforts for the Area Manager and Officer in Charge (OiC).

Responsibilities and Tasks:

1. Safety and Access Management & Analysis:
   • Ensure there is strong communication between local authorities, community leaders, security stakeholders and DRC and act as the local focal point for safety coordination and information sharing between the relevant national actors within the area of operations. Also includes representation of DRC at inter-agency safety forums.
   • Ensure DRC operates within the local authorities' guidelines and protocols.
   • Collect, verify, analyze, and report information that affects, or may affect, DRC operations.
   • Conduct drafts of required assessments including Context Assessments, and participate in field missions and undertake safety risk assessments.
   • Lead in identifying and minimizing potential safety risks to staff, partners, assets, and operations/programme.
   • Develop Safety Plans, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Local Safety Rules (LSR), Safety Briefings, Safety Advisories, and Site Evaluation Checklist (SES) based on Safety Assessments.
   • Ensure all staff adhere to safety policies and rules.
   • Keep Record of Emergency Data (RED) list updated and ensure all new staff will submit their forms.
   • Update and brief all DRC staff regarding security and context situations.
   • Actively support the Safety and Access Coordinator to ensure and monitor compliance with Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS).
   • Maintain safety upgrade plans and develop Safety Improvement Plan (SIP) based on the needs in DRC office and field.
   • Establish phone trees, alert rosters, and alert procedures; ensure the timely dissemination of relevant safety information to all field staff and NGO partners or UN and build strong network with Safety-related stakeholders: local authorities, NGO and UN Safety staff.
   • Contribute in development of humanitarian access strategies, approaches and tools tailored and responsive to local contexts in field sites throughout DRC areas of operations, with overarching community engagement components.
   • Together with the Country Safety and Access Coordinator input work on the implementation of tailored acceptance strategies.
   • Maintain and keep an updated register of key stakeholders.
2. Safety and Access in Field Operations:
   • Conduct safety inspections of field sites to establish and implement corrective measures.
   • Maintain a high level of preparedness vis-a-vis predicted contextual fluctuations operationally and programmatically.
   • Follow up with the Supply Chain on weekly movement plan for staff and provide safety clearance accordingly.
   • Track safety related incidents and developments and provide trend/pattern analysis to facilitate programme access.
   • Contribute to the development of operational and programmatic contingency plans that respond to different emergency scenarios.
   • Lead in conjunction with the Country Safety and Access Coordinator and Area Manager the implementation of the Critical Incident Management Plan by office/location and assist in safety incidents and crises, provide timely and accurate incident reporting reports and analysis, and support organizational lessons learned.
   • Ensure all vehicles are equipped as per required standards and SOPs.
   • Focal point for the procurement of safety-related equipment, facilities, and other resources and ensure required safety equipment and communications equipment are identified, acquired, and maintained in good working condition.
   • Conduct regular safety checks, including comms systems, safety inventory checks, and hibernation kits.
   • Assess safety training needs; plan, organize and document relevant safety trainings.
   • Create and conduct safety briefings and training for all personnel and visitors; design and run regular safety drills.
   • Any other tasks as delegated by AM/OIC, Country Safety and Access Coordinator and SMT.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master
DRC's core competencies:

1. Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
2. Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
3. Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
4. Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
5. Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Strong capacity in influencing, negotiating, and engaging a range of stakeholders; with proven representational skills and the ability to advocate in line with humanitarian principles.
• Demonstrate ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of programming and achieve greater impact.
• Strong capacity building, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work flexibly in a diverse team, with proven leadership skills.
• Previous experience working with and negotiating with communities, local leaders, authorities, and security actors.
• Commitment to integrate gender, protection, conflict sensitivity and accountability.
• 3-5 years' experience in the fields of working for international humanitarian organizations in complex and unpredictable conflict settings.
• Ability to work under pressure and be flexible in working hours.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Stable, moral, and robust character.
• High personal and professional integrity.
• Proven commitment to accountability practices.

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Bachelor's degree in political science, peace & conflict studies, history, disaster management or a civil-military engagement.
• Any Safety Certificates/Trainings are an advantage.

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in Amharic
• Fluency in Tigrinya and Afar (added advantage)

How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post. Those who already applied, no need to re-apply. Application will be reviewed for suitability and consideration.
We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on this link.

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than March 17, 2025.

Female Applicants are highly encouraged
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult WWW.DRC.NGO
Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

Department:

Location: Mekelle