Overview
The Humanitarian Access and Safety Technical Officer provides support in humanitarian access, safety, and security within the area, supporting the implementation and monitoring of NRC's HAS Policy, plans, procedures, trackers, and processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of the NRC Global HAS Management System at area level.
- Prepare reports as required and execute area-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-level HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- 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 the HAS Manager 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 compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies and procedures.
- Prepare and facilitate HAS induction sessions for new area staff, as well as briefings and debriefings with colleagues or visitors.
- 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 provide any safety and security measures to be addressed prior to use.
- Ensure vehicle and staff movements are monitored according to procedures and that necessary safety and security equipment within each vehicle is available and in good condition.
- Accompany colleagues and/or visitors regularly to the field to identify, plan and implement HAS procedures, enrich security risk assessments, and support in obtaining and maintaining humanitarian access.
- 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, in coordination with Support teams.
- Facilitate the planning and execution of the Hostile Environment Individual Security Training (HEIST), Field First Aid, and fire safety training periodically for Area staff, maintaining the corresponding training tracker.
- Promote and facilitate the proper reporting, documentation, and support the management of HAS incidents in the area.
- Facilitate staff hibernation or relocation in emergency situations.
- Promote Safeguarding principles and commitments within NRC and amongst beneficiaries served by NRC.
- Perform any other tasks related to HAS and the position as delegated by the line manager.
- Work with management to ensure that all staff give their informed consent based on briefing upon arrival and that updates are regularly shared on the security context.
- Contribute to improving humanitarian access for NRC operations across the area by assisting teams in developing access strategies and engagement plans.
- Collaborate with the Area Management Group (AMG) members and the HAS Manager to manage access, safety, and security related incidents at the area level, ensuring their documentation in NRC Protect.
- When designated by management, 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 from area or HAS Management.
- Participate in Project Cycle Management, by providing contextual analysis and technical advice on operational and programmatic modalities.
- Contribute to capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives with local partners regarding security risk management and humanitarian access in the Area.
- Represent NRC in external forums at the Area level, such as security coordination groups, Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) and CivMil Coordination, as well as other forums on request by the Area Manager and HAS Manager.
Required Experience
- Minimum one to 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.
