Overview
The Humanitarian Access and Safety Officer provides support in humanitarian access, safety, and security within the area, supporting the implementation and monitoring of the NRC's HAS Policy, plans, procedures, trackers, and processes. This role requires frequent presence in the field.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of the NRC Global HAS Management System at area level.
- Prepare reports as required and execute area/field office-focused elements of the HAS Operational Plan.
- Contribute to a culture of enabling a safe and principled humanitarian response.
- Support the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards.
- Support the development of area/field-level HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide day-to-day supervision and advise to HAS Assistants.
- Maintain an understanding of the Area’s humanitarian context and regularly brief area management on key security developments, NRC exposure, access challenges, and emerging threats.
- Assist with Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments.
- Conduct drills and train staff in access, safety, and security topics and provide regular briefings.
- Liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities, and other external actors to share and obtain security information.
- Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures.
- Prepare and facilitate HAS induction sessions for new area/field office staff.
- Keep up to date all necessary information for HAS documents including Safe Mission Planning (SMP), Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), Hibernation, Relocation, and Evacuation Plan (HRE), and Medical Evacuation Plan (MEDEVAC).
- Conduct site assessments for all new rental premises and follow up on the implementation of identified measures.
- Ensure vehicle and staff movements are monitored according to procedures.
- Accompany colleagues and/or visitors regularly to the field.
- Request or generate user creation for new area personnel in the online travel authorisation request system.
- Verify and approve travel requests for activities and visits within the area.
- Keep the area personnel communication tree updated and conduct test activations.
- Ensure necessary training for the correct use of alternative communication system devices.
- Facilitate the planning and execution of the Hostile Environment Individual Security Training (HEIST), Field First Aid, and fire safety training periodically for Area staff.
- Promote and facilitate the proper reporting, documentation, and support the management of HAS incidents.
- Facilitate staff hibernation or relocation in emergency situations.
- Promote Safeguarding principles and commitments.
- Contribute to improving humanitarian access for NRC operations across the area.
- Collaborate with the Area Management Group (AMG) members and the HAS Manager to manage access, safety, and security related incidents.
- Lead and/or advise on the engagement with parties to the conflict, including non-state armed groups and state armed forces at the area level.
- Contribute HAS information required for project proposals to donors, internal or external audits, and any other requests.
- Participate in Project Cycle Management, by providing contextual analysis and technical advice.
- Contribute to capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives with local partners regarding security risk management and humanitarian access.
- Represent NRC in external forums at the area/field office level.
- Perform any other tasks related to HAS and the position as delegated by the line manager.
Required Experience
- Minimum two years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development operations.
- Foundational understanding of Humanitarian Principles and their application in programmatic and advocacy responses, NGO safety and risk management, and humanitarian access.
- Previous experience working in complex contexts.
- Experience in liaising with communities and authorities as well as with NGOs.
