Safety Manager

Duty Station:                      Sittwe - Rakhine

Reporting to:                      Area Manager

Direct Report:                    Liaison Specialist, Liaison Assistant, Safety Assistant, Security Guards

Technical reports:       Liaison Specialist, MRO, Acting BM Maungdaw, Safety Assistant, MRO, Security Guards, MRO, Maungdaw

Overall purpose of the role:

The Safety Manager reports to the DRC Area Manager for the Rakhine Area Office.  He/ She will be responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the DRC Rakhine Operation by undertaking various roles and responsibilities related to 1) Safety material management, 2) representation and communication, 3) Government Relations and coordination, 4) Coordination with local partners, and 5) Safety and Security Focal point for the state, including  staff capacity building on Security and Safety SoPs, information reporting and operations coordination;  in addition to supporting the Area Manager in his or her duties, following and enforcing organizational guidelines, policies and procedures.

Geographic scope: Area (Rakhine)

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the enforcement of security and safety policies, and Liaison with government and non-government actors, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. This role covers all DRC Rakhine areas of operation and field bases and is expected to travel 50% of the time, including field visits to project areas.

Responsibilities:

Representation and Communication / Government Liaison (in coordination with Liaison and Safety in Yangon)

• Help strengthen the relations and partnership with local and state authorities and local actors in general, via a mixture of proactive and reactive Government Liaison, including with SAC, DDM, District, Township and Village Authorities, and other authorities in non-government-controlled areas.
• Leading the Government Liaison tasks to deal with any day to day arising issues in support of programme teams.
• Ensure DRC’s roles, responsibilities, and interventions are communicated effectively to local authorities and communities where we implement, including beneficiaries; monitoring perceptions of DRC within these channels and advising Area Manager on appropriate pro-active or re-active measures
• Oversee reporting for authorities, as well as preparing appropriate support letters and documentation as required for administrative and programmatic  activities.
• Line manage or technical manage the Safety and Liaison Focal Point of Sub-Offices, to manage relationships with all stakeholders in Rakhine.
• Manage a system of proactive Government Liaison, by sharing information, tracking approvals, organising events with Government Officials, dealing with
• any issues arising at checkpoints, etc. (sometimes directly undertaking these activities, other times by regular trainings with drivers and senior national staff).

Coordination

• Ensure effective coordination with other agencies including participation in coordination meetings with UN agencies, other INGOs,
• CBOs, and other relevant meetings delegated by the Area Manager.
• Lead on all Government Liaison, and national staff, coordination forums with local NGOS, CSOs
• Act as main focal point for all local partners communication and coordination (local NGOs, CSOs,) in Rakhine State
• Support in the development of an engagement strategy for DRC to work with Civil Society and lead on implementation of this strategy

Programme Support

• Line management of Safety team (including guards) in Sittwe
• Ensure effective management (direct and technical) of all Government Liaison and Safety and Security SoPs for Rakhine
• Assist the Area Manager in programme development including assessment of activities, inputs to concept notes and proposals for funding opportunities
• Ensure adherence to HAP principles and practices, as well as DRC Operational Handbook
• Support in the coordination of team activities in Rakhine State, including Pre Annual review, staff meetings, training activities.
• Assist to Donor trip and delegation visit when programme team request
• Conduct trainings and workshops when programme team further assistance.

Safety

• Maintain keen awareness of the local security situation and any relevant safety issues; report these issues immediately to the AM, Safety team
• in Rakhine and Yangon-based Security Focal Point/Safety Officer; provide recommendations to the AM on mitigation/ preparedness/ response measures to
• be taken; contribute towards programme risk analysis. Main safety focal point to Government.
• Responsible for communicating security-related information to national staff in Rakhine and coordination of activities in response
• Support with keeping Security Improvement Plan, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Local Safety Rules (LSRs), and critical incident management plan (CIMP) up to date
• Conduct regular audits of safety equipment
• Arrival briefings for new staff
• Weekly situation reports (sitreps) to AM and others on safety situation
• Support the regular updating of MOSS and the Safety Level Scores for Rakhine offices and areas of operation
• Act as principal Security Focal Point for national staff
• Communicate and coordinate with UNDSS, OCHA and Rakhine State Government/defacto authorities on all security-related issues
• Approve and manage team security approvals for weekly travel plans, on behalf of Area Management

General

• Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the Area Manager and/ or Senior Management
• Support with translations for major reports and meetings, including checking translations done by more junior staff, and managing outsourced/consultant
• Translations

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility

• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions, and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for monitoring safety situation and compliance with DRC Global Safety policies
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC
• Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as requested by the Manager

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• At least 4 years relevant experience working in a senior position with a humanitarian or development organization. Experience with partner coordination a strong plus
• Excellent team management and coordination skills
• Good report writing skills, both in English and Burmese
• Good analytical and computer skills (especially Word and Excel);
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills as well as cultural sensitivity; Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with communities;
• Prepared to work within both Rakhine and Muslim communities;
• Flexible and prepared to travel intensively in the region;
• Understanding of operational context in Rakhine State is a plus

An understanding of IDP rights, rights-based programming, and Protection Principles.

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Government departments, CMCs, village administrators and other Government entities
• UN Agencies, other INGOs, CBOs
• All DRC Rakhine Departments
• DRC Yangon office, especially Senior Government Liaison Officer and CSFP/SO

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.  

Offer:

• Starting date of employment: ASAP.
• Contract: Regular DRC staff contract, including a probation period of 3 months.
• Salary: Competitive salary according to DRC Myanmar salary scale.

This position is open for Myanmar National only. DRC strongly advocates for equal opportunity and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application and CV

Interest? Click APPLY FOR POSITION button. Please send your application, in English, no later than Thursday, 8 December 2022. CV only applications will not be considered. We only accept applications sent online.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interview/an offer made before the advertised closing date)