Country Safety Advisor at Danish Refugee Council-Nigeria

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, and under the direct supervision of the Country Director is expected to pursue the following objectives and duties in his/her daily work:

  • 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
  • To 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

About you

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)
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant area of study
  • Master’s degree preferred
  • Fluent in written and spoken English

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)
  • Knowledge of Hausa and/or other local languages a plus

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

Employment category: N.M.F (A 12)

Unit/department: Safety

Location: Maiduguri, Nigeria with frequent travel to the field in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states; travel to Abuja as needed

Authorization level: As per IDRA

Reporting to: Country Director with a technical compliance reporting line to the Regional Safety Advisor

Direct reports: Technical management of Safety Officers

HOW TO APPLY:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

You can apply for this position via the “Apply” button below.

Closing date for applications: 13 May 2019