Regional Safety Coordinator

Introduction 

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home. 

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization. 

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency. 

1. Context of the position  

The Regional Safety Coordinator (RSC) will advise and assist the Executive Director for West & North Africa and Latin America (ED WANALA), the Regional Senior Management Team (RSMT) and Country Directors to develop and implement DRC’s Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) across DRC programming in the region. Fully implementing the SRMS will ensure that DRC meets an appropriate level of duty of care for those who fall under DRC’s responsibility as per Global Safety Policy. 

The RSC reports to the ED WANALA with a technical line to the Head of Global Safety (HoGS) at HQ. While the RSC does not directly line manage safety staff, they provide technical oversight and support to safety staff within the region. 

2. General presentation of the position  

Safety Risk Management System 

• Assist and monitor the development of systematic country operation safety risk assessments ; supervise and endorse the assessment of safety levels; ensure that the safety level system is kept current. 

• Advise the ED WANALA and RSMT on available safety management strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks. 

• Assist in the development of safety plans, including local safety rules (LSRs); standard operating procedures (SOPs); critical incident management plans (CIMPs); and minimum operating safety standards (MOSS) 

• Support the implementation of safety improvement plans (SIPs) and assist in the implementation of staff capacity training plans, including the delivery and prioritization of training modules, specifically personal awareness, and safety training (HEAT/HEIST) and incident management team (IMT) training to country operations. 

• Undertake regular MOSS audits across the region. 

Technical support, advice, and capacity building 

• Provide technical supervision and support to all senior safety staff across the region. Develop their skills and knowledge through constructive feedback, training events and supporting personal development goals. 

• Assist country offices with the selection, recruitment, and professional development of safety staff. 

• Provide regular analysis, statistics, and reporting on key developments within the region to RED and HoGS 

• Provide safety advice as part of programme development and during programme implementation, including programme assessments. 

• Identify potential scenarios, indicators of change and key decision points. 

• Conduct ad hoc safety risk assessments post incident or due to low levels of MOSS compliance. 

• Ensure risk registers identify safety risks where relevant and work with SMT on identifying risk treatments and programme or operation safety-related access constraints. 

• Act as the focal point for technical advice on procurement and installation of safety-related equipment 

• Provide strong oversight to consortium’s where DRC is involved to ensure that an appropriate level of duty of care is maintained. 

• Oversee the travel clearance request system to ensure compliance. 

Representation 

• Be the focal point for safety co-ordination between relevant actors.  

• Attend IAWG Regional Security Forum (RSF), INSO, UN and other relevant external fora 

• Establish a network of contacts and represent DRC at security meetings 

Incident and critical incident management and response 

• Support the establishment and maintenance of the Regional CIMT and country-level IMTs 

• Coordinate the CIMT in the event of a critical incident  

• Ensure effective country-level CIMPs are in place 

• Brief CIMT members on their responsibilities and ensure alternate members are available and briefed 

• Assist in the management of safety incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports 

• Conduct After Action Reviews following a critical incident 

Key stakeholders:  

Internal: 

• RSMT, Senior international and national staff in country operations, regional team and HQ safety unit. 

External: 

Relevant Donors, Government Officials, Inter-governmental Officials, UN Officials, INGO and NGO staff. 

3. Profile for the position 

Mandatory: 

To be successful in this role, we expect you to be a positive, mature leader with a proven track record of developing and implementing safety related initiatives. You thrive in managing a wide range of responsibilities and can effectively communicate and coordinate regional safety processes. You are an effective people manager and enjoy working with teams of committed staff to build collaboration and capacity within the regional team and in support of country operations. 

• Relevant university degree (in lieu of degree, at least 8 years’ experience in the safety and security sector not including military experience) 

• At least 6 years in security and safety management including international safety and security experience in several countries, preferably in INGOs and within the current region 

• At least two years as a safety and security manager with an INGO at a country or regional level; preferably with experience in high-risk environments  

• Proven ability to develop and implement effective and contextualized safety and security protocols and systems 

• Ability to be flexible and demonstrate an innovative approach to safety risk management 

• Substantial experience in information gathering, analysis and report writing, including conducting and producing high quality SRAs. 

• Demonstrated experience with critical incident management 

• Demonstrated experience with delivering effective safety-related training 

• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines 

• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision 

• Stable, dedicated team-player with a good sense of humor and a high level of personal integrity 

• Excellent communication skills 

• Willingness to travel at least 50% of the time 

• Full professional proficiency in both French and English and proficiency in Spanish ; proficiency in a regional language is an advantage  

4. Education:  

University degree in relevant field; or at least 8 years’ experience in humanitarian and/or safety and security sectors in lieu of a degree. 

Languages:  

• Full professional proficiency in both French and English 

• Proficiency in Spanish 

Proficiency in a regional language is an advantage 

In this position, you are also 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: 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.  

 What we offer  

Contract length: 01 year, open for extension pending performance, funding, and programme needs  

Salary & Benefits: NM-E 

Designation of Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal l Family duty station, accompanied  

Start date: As soon as possible  

How to apply ? 

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both can be in English or in French. 

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. 

However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot employ, under an expatriate contract, a citizen of the country in which she/ he is going to be stationed (in such case, the Senegal). 

Applications close on the  May, 10th 2024    (Dakar-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. 

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.