Country Safety Advisor, Maiduguri 281 views0 applications

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 30 countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operational in West Africa since 1998. The overall strategic objective of the program is to support conflict affected populations in Nigeria, Niger, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Mali on the basis of humanitarian principles and fundamental human rights.

Nigeria’s northeast is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, which has been the result of the ongoing-armed conflict between Boko Haram, the Nigerian military and the Multi-National Task Force in the north-east. An estimated 10 million people in Nigeria are affected by the conflict and other factors, which has led to a state of emergency being declared in three North-Eastern states and spill-over effects into neighboring countries.

The job

The Country Safety Advisor (CSA) will manage all aspects of the DRC Safety Risk Management (SRM) system in all of Nigeria, for both DRC and DDG programmes. The CSA, in consultation with local safety staff and programme manager, under the technical supervision of Regional Safety Advisor and under the direct line management of the Country Director is expected to pursue the following objectives and duties in his/her daily work:

Overall objectives

• Manage the development and implementation of the Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC’s) Safety Risk Management System (SRMS)

• Ensure compliance with DRC safety policy as stated in Chapters 19 & 20 of the DRC Operations Handbook

• Supervise and mentor the Local Safety Officers (LSOs) in Yola and Mubi and the Safety Focal Point (SFP) in Abuja

• Develop policies and procedure, in coordination with project staff, for the safe delivery of program activities

Responsibilities:

Risk Analysis

• Conduct regular Safety Risk Assessments (SRA) for each programme area pursuant to DRC Safety Policy

• Provide quality control for SRAs

Safety Improvement Plans

• Based on the SRA, advise programmes on achievable and cost-effective mitigation measures through the development of contextualized Safety Improvement Plans

• Supervise and monitor the progress of Safety Improvement Plans

Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS)

• Ensure Nigeria is compliant with the DRC global MOSS

• Based on the SRA, advise programmes on context specific MOSS requirements

• Monitor programme compliance with MOSS

Local Safety Rules (LSR)

• Based on the SRA and MOSS, ensure all areas have updated LSR

• Ensure all staff are provided with a copy of the LSR and are briefed on their responsibilities

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Ensure each programme area has appropriate SOPs developed and implemented

• Monitor compliance with SOPs

Contingency Plans (CPs)

• Facilitate the development of context-specific contingency plans for each programme area

• Support Incident Management Teams (IMTs) with the implementation of contingency plans

• Conduct regular reviews with IMTs to ensure CPs are up to date, realistic and understood

Capacity Building

• Conduct – or facilitate the delivery of – safety training for staff at all levels

• Ensure watchmen and guards are trained and aware of their responsibilities, in accordance with the SOPs governing access control

Liaison

• Develop a network of contacts through other NGOs, UNDSS, Government agencies and other useful contacts

• Act as the primary representative for DRC Nigeria on safety matters

Crisis and Critical Incident Management

• Act as the Country level coordinator for the Incident Management Team (IMT)

• Ensure IMT members are aware of their responsibilities

• Ensure IMT logs are maintained and updated as required

• Advise the IMT at country and area levels on safety related issues

• Act as the primary point of contact for safety related matters with the Regional Office and other local actors (UNDSS, etc)

· Conduct after action reviews of all critical incidents to facilitate organizational learning

Information Management and Reporting

• Maintain detailed soft and hard copy files of all relevant safety documents

• Monitor the overall situation and provide regular situation reports

• Maintain an up-to-date incident tracking database

• Provide staff with relevant and concise safety related information and analysis, both through external and internal reports, publications, etc

• Coordinate the submission of Safety Incident Reports and ensure that all SIRs are completed within 48 hours of an incident occurring

• Conduct post-incident inquiries, if required, and monitor compliance with action points on SIRs

Briefings

• Ensure an up-to-date visitor briefing package is provided to all visitors and international staff

• Conduct safety briefings for all visitors and international staff at the country level; at the field level, ensure that individual areas do the same

• Provide briefings on thematic and specific issues, as requested by the Country Director or Regional Safety Advisor (RSA)

Field Travel

• Ensure compliance with the Field Travel SOP

• Assist with the planning of field travel, including briefing escorts if required

• Act as the focal point for issues related to armed escorts

• When required, manager and coordinate field travel

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential:

• At least 3 years’ experience working with NGOs and/or other international agencies

• Experience working in the designated area of operations (West Africa)

• Management and/or supervisory experience within an NGO

• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

• Stable, moral and robust character and a good team-player

• Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humour

• Proven commitment to accountability practices.

• Emergency First Aid qualification (within the last year)

Preferable:

• Training in safety, fire and evacuation procedures

• Training in safety and disaster management

• NGO/UN Security Management experience

• Military/Police experience (those with officer-level or senior non-commissioned officer rank should apply)

Education

· Bachelor’s degree in relevant area of study

· Master’s degree preferred

Languages

· Fluent in written and spoken English

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 act in line with DRC’s vision and values.

We offer

Contract length: One-year contract

Level: NMF (A 12)

Designation of Duty Station: Maiduguri, Borno State. Non-family Duty station

Start date: As soon as possible