Safety Assistant

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 700 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a Safety Assistant to be based in Zaporizhzhia to support the Dnipro office and operations in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. This positions is open only to Ukrainian naitonals.

Overall purpose of the role:

In close collaboration with the Dnipro-based Safety Team Leader and Area Manager, the Safety Assistant will support in the in the safe and effective operation of DRCs programming in Southeastern Ukraine through a range of administrative functions focused on safety and security.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Implement improvements to the Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS) under the direction of technical specialists;
• Attend regular briefings and context updates;
• Monitor staff movements and report irregularities to the appropriate focal point;
• Ensure that appropriate access controls are in place for all DRC facilities;
• Proofread translated Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Contingency Plans (CP), threat assessments, and other documents to ensure translations have been completed to the required standard;
• Update security phone trees and maintain staff contact information;
• Assist in implementing DRC safety policies, protocols, and procedures under technical supervision;
• Oversea the procurement / issuing of safety and protective equipment under technical instruction;
• Track the location of DRC safety assets including, but not limited to PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), communications equipment, first aid kits, and so on;
• 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;
• Maintain relevant safety documentation, data, and records for the areas of concern under technical guidance;
• Any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the supervisor.

Responsibilities following training period

• Assists in the implementation of DRC safety risk management systems (SRMS) under technical supervision;
• Monitor news and social media and inform Safety Manager of changes in the conflict;
• Monitor information networks and update the ‘Traffic Light System’ accordingly;
• Proactively monitor the MOSS and recommend improvements/implement basic changes;
• Deliver briefings and context updates to the Safety Team;
• Communicate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Contingency Plans (CP), threat assessments, and other safety policies to staff whose first language is not English with the support of technical specialists;
• Assess potential impacts of the evolving context on DRCs programmatic activities;
• Establish a network of local contacts to develop a nuanced understanding of the context;
• Support in 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;
• Support in the completion of Safety Risk Assessments (SRAs);
• Deliver Pre/Post Arrival Briefs to incoming staff (national and international);
• Support incident response – particularly IMT and CMT;
• Support in the management of the DRC safety information portal (SharePoint) ensuring that it is up to date, relevant and accessible to a range of users;
• Any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the supervisor.

Reports to

• Safety Team Leader based in Dnipro

 About you

Required:

• Bachelors degree in a Social Science or similar area.
• 2 - 4 years experience in security operations.
• Experience: working in multicultural settings, in hostile or hazardous environments, with information gathering.
• Keen understanding of the current situation in Ukraine.
• Willing to learn, сollaborative but with the ability to work independently, driven, dedicated and proactive.
• An ability to communicate information to a range of audiences.
• An understanding of personal limitations and areas for personal development, emotional intelligence.
• Languages: fluent in Ukrainian and Russian languages, English is preferred but not required.
• Computer literacy: Excellent skills in MS Office.

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

We offer:

• Contract: Open-ended contract upon successful completion of the three-month probation period. 
• Duty station: Zaporizhzhia.
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for DRC National Staff.
• Medical and Health Insurance.

Application and CV

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: 31st March 2024. 

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select candidate before the vacancy close date.

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