Safety Officer ( Access)

WHO ARE WE?

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 fulfillment 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. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

Under the supervision of Safety Team Leader, the Access Officer supports the safe and efficient access to and by people in need for humanitarian assistance, in line with humanitarian principles, through information and procedure management, direct support to staff, negotiation, liaison, and monitoring. The Access Officer will build up the capacity, awareness and preparedness of staff to mitigate, identify, and deal with - access-related risks, threats and incidents. Access Officer will provide sound and timely advice to DRC staff and management in order to support the safe access and efficient delivery of program activities in the designated areas of operations across Western Afghanistan. This will require frequent travel to the field - about 50% or work time.           

Responsibilities:

Programme Implementation

• Provide area-based access analysis supporting program development and implementation.
• Prepare and update on a regular basis: district-level context assessments, stakeholder mapping, access dynamics analysis and trend analysis.
• Conduct regular Access and Safety Risk Assessments per District (hard-to-reach areas), including new areas.
• Support development and implementation of community engagement strategies that promote acceptance and access.
• In a participatory manner with field office, develop access work plans, and guidance on program planning and community engagement strategies.
• Develop Access-related risk management controls, SOPs, and contingency plans. Contribute to development and improvement of Operational and Safety SOPs, to reflect Access-related risks.
• Actively monitor situation related to Humanitarian Access. Report immediately to the line manager and internal stakeholders any sudden changes on the access in the areas where DRC operates.
• Support Management in responding to access and security incidents. Report promptly.
• Design and deliver training for all relevant staff on Access and Safety in hard-to-reach areas.
• Provide briefings and recommendations, following special assessments, to DRC management and staff.
• Strategically network with stakeholders, in a fully principled and transparent manner. Develop and update list of relevant contacts. Coordinate humanitarian negotiations and community outreach plans with DRC office.
• Coordinate proactively with Humanitarian Access Group, other Humanitarian Organizations, and relevant stakeholders.
• Represent DRC as a humanitarian organization in community outreach meetings and in access negotiation meetings with government, local stakeholders in hard-to-reach areas; to ensure safe and principles humanitarian access.
• Provide back-up for Safety Team Leader in their absence.
• Other activities assigned by Safety Team Leader.

Key stakeholders: (in bullet points)

Internal

• Area Manager
• Area Management Team
• Access and Safety Advisor
• Safety Manager
• Field Leaders and staff

External

• INSO
• Humanitarian Organizations
• UN Agencies
• Government Departments
• District Authorities
• Community Elders

  ABOUT YOU

  To be successful in this role you must have:

  Experience and technical competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including capacities to negotiate with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Experience in humanitarian operations.
• Report-writing ability.
• Understanding and respect for humanitarian work, particularly relating to refugee and displacement issues.
• Demonstrated ability in English and local languages
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the field of Access and/or security management
• Good communication skills
• Ability to instruct and coordinate staff

Education:

• University degree in relevant field, with 3 years’ experience or
• School Diploma with 5  years’ of UN/NGO experience.
• Languages: (indicate fluency level)
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Fluency in local languages (Pashtu or Dari)

Other skills:

• Strong network in the western Region.
• Ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively within the team, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Proven experience of working effectively in complex security environments.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of the team.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

Languages:

• Excellent spoken and written Dari and Pashto
• Good commond on English

CONDITIONS:

• Availability: As soon as possible

• Duty station: Herat Province, Afghanistan

We offer:

• DRC-DDG will offer the successful applicant a contract till end of December 2019, extendable based on funding and performance.