South Sudan: Safety Advisor

We are looking for a highly qualified, self-motivated Safety Advisor who is able to work with diverse teams of both national and international staff as well as local government authorities, UN agencies, I/NGOs and other partners under difficult, stressful and sometimes insecure conditions.

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries through-out the world, including South Sudan. DRC/DDG fulfills its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. Under its mandate, the organization focuses on emergency humanitarian response, rehabilitation, post-conflict recovery and humanitarian mine-action.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in conjunction with Danish Demining Group (DDG) has been operating in South Sudan since 2005 initially concentrating on providing safe and supportive conditions for refugees returning from neighboring countries after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed.

In 2012 - 2013, DRC opened its operations in Upper Nile and Unity States to respond to the large influx of refugees coming from Blue Nile State and South Kordofan (Sudan). In addition to the refugee response and since 2014, DRC has been then actively engaged in responding to the humanitarian needs of IDPs affected by the internal conflict through the provision of integrated approaches.

With a total of 430 national staff, 50 expatriate staff and an annual budget of approximately USD 20 million, we are currently implementing multi-sectorial interventions through the provision of humanitarian services focused on CCCM, Protection, SGBV, FSL, Shelter and Infrastructure to both internally displaced persons and refugees across 5 field sites (Ajuong Thok, Bentiu, Maban, Malakal and Aburoc).

Purpose of the post

Based in in Juba with a roving function, the Safety Advisor will contribute to creating a safe humanitarian space for the Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism (ERRM) community; focusing on affected populations through safety information sharing, coordination, and field assessments. The Safety and Access Adviser will provide analysis and advice to other international humanitarian organisations working within the ERRM sphere and will also represent the ECHO funded ERRM partners at wider coordination mechanisms.

With the aim of enabling safe and conflict sensitive programming across the humanitarian community through strong context and safety assessments, and understanding of the local environment, the Safety and Access Adviser plays a critical role in meeting the needs of affected populations. The Safety and Access Adviser will also ensure adherence to minimum operating safety standards.

Though Juba is the duty station, the Safety Advisor will be expected to conduct regular assessments in other locations across South Sudan.

In addition to the core focus of supporting in the ERRM community in the field, the Safety and Access Adviser also serves as the DRC safety focal point for DRC ERRM team

Responsibilities

Representation and coordination

• Hold regular meetings with NGO safety focal points within the ERRM (Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism).
• Represent NGOs as safety focal point in safety related meetings and produce meeting notes, disseminating critical information to NGO representatives.
• Represent (within limits agreed by SMTs of different organisations) the NGO humanitarian community in communication with relevant national stakeholders (representatives of beneficiary community, local government, local armed actors) on safety and security matters.
• Coordinate activities related to safety with relevant parts of UNMISS (UNPOL, FPU, UNDSS, etc. E.g. Define and organise convoy procedures with and without UNMISS force protection.
• Develop and maintain key contact lists of personnel involved in safety management. Act as a liaison between humanitarian partners and other safety agencies/personnel (including local actors).

Advocate for safety improvement where and when necessary

Responsibilities:

Representation and coordination

• Hold regular meetings with NGO safety focal points within the ERRM (Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism).
• Represent NGOs as safety focal point in safety related meetings and produce meeting notes, disseminating critical information to NGO representatives.
• Represent (within limits agreed by SMTs of different organisations) the NGO humanitarian community in communication with relevant national stakeholders (representatives of beneficiary community, local government, local armed actors) on safety and security matters.
• Coordinate activities related to safety with relevant parts of UNMISS (UNPOL, FPU, UNDSS, etc. E.g. Define and organise convoy procedures with and without UNMISS force protection.
• Develop and maintain key contact lists of personnel involved in safety management. Act as a liaison between humanitarian partners and other safety agencies/personnel (including local actors).
• Advocate for safety improvement where and when necessary.

Analysis and contingency planning

• Build and maintain network of information sources which allow the gathering of reliable data and information to create an actor and incident data base.
• Conduct safety assessments and provide humanitarian organisations with field reports including access recommendations and safety risk assessments.
• Undertake periodic safety assessments in close co-operation with ERRM partners field team and safety focal points, analysing safety and security factors and levels of risk related to ERRM operations across different states in South Sudan.
• Produce mission safety reports for humanitarian organisations, including analysis based on context flow and incident reports.
• Produce regular alerts and advisories relating to incidents and context developments.
• Maintain effective channels of communication for the humanitarian community, such as Skype groups, e-mail groups, etc.
• Support the development of SOPs and contingency plans for NGO staff within the ERRM sphere; Medical evacuation, relocation, hibernation etc. (on request).
• Provide general support to humanitarian partners on safety management; personal safety, radio communications, contingency planning, defining threat levels, etc.
• On top of pre-existing packages, design and deliver Safety-related trainings to ERRM partners staff.

DRC safety focal point

• Ensure compliance with DRC global safety policy, code of conduct and safety-related guidelines and ensure internal DRC contingency plans and SOPs reflect prevailing safety situation on the ground.
• Regularly review and update DRC safety guidelines, safety level, and minimum operating safety standards (MOSS).
• Responsible for monitoring DRC safety assets and stocks on site; hibernation stocks, radio and communication assets, first aid and trauma kits, etc.
• Support the Area Manager in incident/crisis management situations, and liaise with Juba as necessary.
• Provide a safety briefing to all DRC staff at morning meetings, or similar and update the DRC Country Safety Adviser on an ongoing basis.

Experience and technical competencies

• Degree in developmental and/or political and/or conflict studies is attractive, but not essential.
• Other security management related qualification
• Minimum 1 year as safety manager/coordinator for an NGO in a high risk/conflict zone (or equivalent role).
• Proven experience in safety context/analysis and advising/coordinating humanitarian personnel.
• Experience of developing and updating SOPs, contingency plans and other risk assessment and management documents.
• Proven in-country experience liaising with UN and CIVMIL peacekeeping missions or agencies.
• Proven experience in incident/crisis management.
• Experience of conducting safety training for international and national staff, and experience of capacity building of national staff.
• Fluent English, and strong interpersonal, communication, and networking skills.
• Ability to provide conflict analysis (written).
• Proven ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Computer literate, able to use all common software packages.
• Be able to diffuse tensions and remain calm at all times and particularly following an incident
• Be able to encourage, motivate and guide team members to approach safety and security issues with confidence especially during crises.
• Be flexible to travel at short notice to difficult and risky areas.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Stable and robust character, team-player with a good sense of humour.
• Determination, self-integrity, unselfishness, cheerfulness in the face of adversity.
• Communication (radio) equipment related qualification.
• First aid qualification

Key stakeholders

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at Employment Band – G1.

Key stakeholders

Emergency Manager, Mobile team managers, Mobile team safety officer, ERRM partner safety focal points, Juba support staff, NGO Safety Advisers (DRC), Safety Liaison Officer (DRC), security focal points (other NGO), OCHA personnel, UNMISS personnel including Military Liaison Officers, local authorities, and any other local actors.

Application process

​Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the link: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=155830&DepartmentId=19091&SkipAdvertisement=true

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

• If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk
• Applications close 1^st May, 2019.

Gender Equality:DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In the light of this, women are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.**

Equal opportunities:DRC is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employee. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics

​Need further information

​For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk