Humanitarian Access and Safety Officer

The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer provides a range of support in humanitarian access, safety, and security within the area. Under the direct supervision of the Area Manager and with technical support and supervision from the HAS Manager, the HAS Officer supports the implementation and monitoring of the NRC’s HAS Policy, plans, procedures, trackers, and processes in the Area Office and related Field Offices (as applicable). This role requires frequent presence in the field supporting the safe and principled delivery of programmes and the Duty of Care for NRC staff. 

Generic 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 and 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), in line with organisational standards.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and to HAS Assistants in the relevant area and field offices (where available), advise and provide performance feedback, and contribute to high-quality recruitment, induction, guidance, support, mentoring, capacity building, and the development of these roles as needed.
• 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 to inform decision-making.
• Assist the HAS Manager/Coordinator with Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments, including Rapid SRAs for new operational locations, collaborating with management to identify and implement relevant mitigation measures and support safe programming.
• Conduct drills and train staff in access, safety, and security topics and provide regular briefings.
• In coordination with the HAS Manager and the line manager, liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities, and other external actors to share and obtain security information to inform operations and security management as well as increase humanitarian access and protect humanitarian space at the area level.
• Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies and procedures.

Specific Responsibilities

• Prepare and facilitate HAS induction sessions for new area/field office staff, as well as briefings and debriefings with colleagues or visitors sharing relevant information about activity locations, emphasising practical safety and security risks prevention and mitigation measures and reporting mechanisms.
• 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. Follow up on the implementation of identified measures for these infrastructures.
• 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.
• After certification, 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/field office.
• Facilitate staff hibernation or relocation in emergency situations.
• Promote Safeguarding principles and commitments within NRC and amongst communities 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.
• Under the guidance of the HAS Manager, 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.
• In collaboration with the HAS Manager and the partnership focal points, contribute to capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives with local partners regarding security risk management and humanitarian access in the area/field office locations.
• Represent NRC in external forums at the area/field office level, such as security coordination groups, Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) and Civilian Military Coordination, as well as other forums on request by the Area Manager and HAS Manager.

• 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.
• Proficient in MS Office applications including Word and Excel.
• Working proficiency in relevant language English both written and verbal.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience

• Experience in liaising with communities and authorities as well as with NGOs.
• Working proficiency in English, both written and verbal.
  • Behavioural competencies
• Handling insecure environment
• Planning and delivering results
• Working with People
• Analysing
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Coping with change