Safety and Access Coordinator-Ukraine

Position description

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Safety and Access Coordinator

Code: SR-60-9450

Duty station: Dnipro, with frequent field visits to other field locations (Kharkiv, Odesa, Mikolaiv)

Starting date: 19/08/2024

Contract duration: 6 months

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Functional Supervisor: Global Security Advisor

Supervision of: Safety and Access Managers

Type of duty station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

The war in Ukraine, which started on the 24th of February 2022, shows no signs of abating, and continues to drive increasing humanitarian needs across the country. Access concerns and humanitarian needs are particularly high in eastern Donetska and Luhanska oblasts where the conflict is intensifying and critical infrastructure damages prevent civilians from accessing basic services.

Today INTERSOS is present in Odesa and Dnipropetrovska Oblasts with bases of operations and warehouses in Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson and Odesa, allowing a wide geographical coverage. Moreover, INTERSOS is currently implementing Health, Protection, and NFIs interventions, funded by UNHCR, OCHA and ECHO encompassing several components: distribution of medicines to Regional Health Departments and shelters and equipment for clinics, Cash for Health, mobilisation of Protection mobile teams, establishment of community-based protection mechanisms, case management for CP/PWSN cases, psychosocial support (PSS), Protection Monitoring (PM), and distribution of material assistance to vulnerable individuals and households.

General purpose of the position

• Lead the definition, development, implementation, and evaluation of the security strategy of the mission. Ensuring capacity building and technical support to the security staff in risk management matters.
• Support the Head of Mission in monitoring the compliance with INTERSOS risk management tools and procedures.
• Provide strategic advice to the Senior Management Team on security, staff safety, and risk management.
• Ensure that structures and systems for access safety and security management are in place and respected.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Design of mission security policies and strategies:

• Lead on the definition of country risk management analysis with the aim to identify risk treatment measure and contingency planning.
• In coordination with Head of Mission and other departments lead the development and implementation of Risk management Tools, Policy and Procedures.
• Ensure a deep and Strategic situational awareness of the mission staff members and partners.
• Collect regular data on security incidents and humanitarian access impediments and provide analysis

Staff management and networking:

• Participate in recruitment of staffs, train and coach Security Manager and Security focal persons and officers in the field.
• If needed, support (field focal point, Field Security Officer, Logistics etc.) the mapping and gathering information/contacts critical infrastructures or checkpoints.
• Support and train Field Security Officer, Security Managers, Field Security focal persons and relevant staff in adopted tools.
• Build network and liaise with members the security apparatus, military, different organizations, key individuals and other relevant actors involved in security at country level.
• Strengthen inter-agency communication. Identify and link with all the key individuals, stakeholders and other organizations with priorities to:
• NGO security-dedicated fora and other NGOs, both national and international (International NGO Safety Organization (INSO), European Interagency Security Forum (EISF), Saving Lives Together (SLT – framework for security collaboration between NGOs and the United Nations)
• UN agencies and their contact points
• host government security officials (military, police, other)
• community leaders and formal and informal leaders

Support communication on standards and procedures:

• Review existing security coordination mechanisms for the operational bases and provide recommendations to improve the flow of external security information
• Assess and enhance communication strategies implementing measures to improve INTERSOS communications infrastructure.
• Inform international and national staffs about the security tools in place in order to guarantee a high level of awareness.
• Upload safety and security documents, movement clearance, mailing lists and phone numbers on the communication platforms on IMP in order to guarantee the mission to share information on local security contexts
• Facilitate the set-up of clear communication channels within the mission
• Design guidelines on the information that can be shared, and the procedures to be followed upon reception of information
• Organize weekly and monthly briefing on access, safety and security, and provide context, safety and security briefing to new staffs
• Provide country safety and security analysis on a weekly/biweekly bases depending on the context.

Incident and crisis management:

• Ensure CPPs and related SOPs are up to date and in line with context and situation analysis.
• Ensure that contingency plan is in place and known by all the staffs and drills are conducted regularly.
• Guarantee proper and timely support for incident and crisis management.
• Support Head of Mission in decision making and coordination with other third parties when needed
• Ensure that continuity plans are well defined and shared with the staffs in order to ensure a proper continuation of mission activities
• Provide support to staff members in case of need and replace the Head of Mission in his absence
• Lead the Response in case of incedents

Qualifications

Education

• University Degree in relevant field (Social Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law or other fields related to social development and humanitarian work, security or risk management)
• Master degree in humanitarian studies or risk management or other fields related desirable

Professional Experience 

• Minimum of four years of working experience in security at coordinator or manager level in complex humanitarian crisis.

Professional Requirements

• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, practices and their application
• Desirable experience, based on evidence, of humanitarian negotiation (with national authorities, local authorities, non-state actors, military forces) and humanitarian access in complex emergencies

Languages

• Proficiency in English

Personal requirements 

• Good interpersonal and ability to work in a multicultural team
• Teamwork and communication skills
• Networking skills
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with remote technical supervision
• Creativity, innovation and strategic thinking skills
• Ability to work in remote field locations
• Previous military and law enforcement experience is not required
• First Aid ToT trainer
• Desirable qualification in critical incident management.

Application instructions

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