Safety Officer

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations. 

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, Economic Recovery, 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 highly qualified Safety Officer to join the team in Sloviansk. 

Overall purpose of the role:

Assists in the development and implementation of DRC safety risk management systems, including policies, plans and procedures in areas of operation. Provide administrative assistance and technical support and ensure that programs and projects activities are implemented in a secure, safe and effective manner.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Monitor the evolving situation in the assigned areas of operation and relay this data to relevant staff

• Collect, verify, analyze and report information that affects, or may affect, DRC operations

• Establish a network of local contacts that facilitates safer access for DRC operations

• Monitor staff movements, report on movement irregularities, and initiate emergency response if needed

• Develop and facilitate safety risk training for DRC staff and drivers

• Prepare and submit Safety Incident Reports (SIR)

• Conduct 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), among other items

• Conduct Safety Risk Assessments (SRAs)

• Ensure that appropriate access controls are in place for all DRC facilities

• Draft standard operating procedures, contingency plans, threat assessments, and other documents

• Update pre-arrival briefs, local safety rules, security phone trees, and safety briefs

• Assist in implementing realistic DRC safety policies, protocols, and procedures

• Contribute to the procurement and issue of safety and protective equipment

• Assist in developing DRC Safety Improvement Plans (SIP) for any safety gaps identified

• Alert relevant parties in case of an emergency event and support incident response

• Support the Safety Coordinator in updating the Safety Level System (SLS)

• Assist DRC in ensuring adherence to current legislation, rules, standards, provisions, and instructions on labor protection, industrial sanitation, fire protection, and environmental protection

• Carry out constant control over observance by workers of requirements concerning labor protection

• Any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the supervisor

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have minimum 1 year of relevant experience in security operations and management.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• English proficiency required

• Experience working with an NGO preferred

• Experience working in multicultural work settings

• Experience with information gathering

• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Experience working in hostile or hazardous environments

Candidates with less experience will be considered for an assistant-level role.

Required education

• Diploma or equivalent professional qualification

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 length: Open-ended contract after initial 3 month probation period

Duty Station: Sloviansk

Band: H

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). 

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 10 July, 2024

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Recruitment will be conducted on a rolling basis, and a final candidate may be selected before the advertisement closes. 

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