Safety, Security and Access Officer – Kharkiv

Location: Kharkiv with National Travel 

Reporting line manager: CARE Ukraine Safety & Security Coordinator East 

Duration: 12 months

Conditions: Employment contract, gross monthly salary between 1’670.50 to 2’196.27. Annual leave of 28 days per fiscal year.

Starting date: As Soon As Possible

CARE Ukraine is seeking a Safety Security and Access Officer for Kharkiv to enable safe humanitarian access and assistance directly and through partners in newly liberated areas. We are looking for a candidate that not only has experience in security management in hostile/complex areas, but also someone who is quick to learn, adapt and can show agility in a fast-moving context. We encourage candidates with experience in the private and public (government) sectors to apply, and particularly welcome applications from female candidates.

CARE INTERNATIONAL

CARE International (CI) is among the world’s largest international non-governmental humanitarian relief and development confederations. Drawing on more than 75 years of experience, through its 21 Members, as both practitioner and thought leader, CI’s work reaches over 100 countries worldwide to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.

CARE’s vision is to seek a world of hope, inclusion, and social justice; where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. CARE focuses heavily on women and girls; the areas of gender equality, diversity and inclusion are at the center of our work because we know that we cannot overcome poverty and social injustice until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We recognize that power relations between people and within systems and structures are unequal and that these are entrenched in our broader systems, structures, and institutions.

At the core of the CI Confederation is a globally distributed Secretariat, which provides coordination and support its members in areas including governance, strategic planning, communications, membership development and accountability, advocacy, humanitarian response, and program development. In addition, the Secretariat represents the CI Confederation at the United Nations and the European Union, and with other external stakeholders.

Context in Ukraine 

For Care, the ongoing priority for the humanitarian response is to secure access to recently liberated and recaptured areas in the East & South, and to provide aid to previously unreachable and particularly hard-hit areas of Ukraine.

CARE UKRAINE

As a new actor in Ukraine, CARE prioritizes a locally led response and is partnering primarily with Civil-Society Organizations (CSOs), National NGOs, local authorities, and INGOs with a longstanding presence in the country and access to hard-to-reach areas. CARE Ukraine deliberately and strategically prioritizes partnerships with local and national Women Led and Women Rights organizations (WLO’s/ WRO’s), further strengthening the Gender in Emergencies (GiE) principle and the Women Lead in Emergencies (WLiE) approach.

In the first few weeks after the escalation of the war, virtually all humanitarian aid inside Ukraine was organized and implemented by local actors. These groups (together with local authorities) remain the principal aid providers but are quickly being exhausted of funds, fuel, and physical energy. Thereby, a considerable proportion of CARE’s resources is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the capacities of local partners.

As of November 2022, CARE Ukraine has established partnerships with twelve local/national organizations(including four WLO’s/WRO’s) and five international NGOs. From the more than 28 million that have been raised for Ukraine thus far, more than half is allocated to local/national partners. Through the activities that have been implemented so far, CARE Ukraine has been able to reach 550,030 people, including IDPs and affected populations in hard-to-reach areas.

While CARE Ukraine us present with two Country Officers in Lviv and Kyiv, and two Area Officers in Dnipro and Odessa, covering both the East and South of the country.

Role Responsibilities:

1. Planning and Preparation

The Safety, Security and Access Officer will be responsible for:

• Assisting in communication with implementing partners on their Safety & Security arrangements and advising them with the respect of Duty of Care and CARE standards
• Assisting in developing and maintaining a strong contextual understanding of the areas of operations in close and near constant consultation with the AM and SSAC, with a specific attention to original, accurate and detailed information sources in the languages used by the parties in the region; namely Ukrainian and Russian
• Monitoring the security environment in operational area, updating situation and risk assessments on  a daily basis, assuring the AM and SSAC are informed in real time of current and emerging safety and security trends, threats, risks and CARE Ukraine proposed risk mitigating measures
• Assisting in supporting the development of a safety and security culture among all CARE staff and those of CARE partner organizations in Ukraine, supported and reinforced by the Safety Risk Assessments and Safety & Security Management Plan (SSMP)
• Liaising with respective government agencies, law enforcement, military and, where needed, commercial security providers in the designated area, to ensure that CARE staff can maintain access to program area within limits of acceptable risks
• Ensuring that security planning becomes an integral part of day-to-day operations and is integrated into the development of future programs
• Assisting the SSAC in updating and maintaining the Area Office SSMP, using the CARE International template
• Assuring that all CARE functions and facilities are included in the plan and the plan is kept current to any changes
• Assisting SSAC in delivering Safety & Security training courses for CARE Ukraine staff and implementing partners candidate trainers
• Assisting the AD and SSAC to plan and prepare for major safety and security events and critical incidents
• Assisting in the selection and development of a network of Safety & Security management focal points(RMFPs) in operational area of Kharkiv Oblast
• Assisting in participating in the selection of protection services and other outsourced security risk management support, as required, and ensuring that adequate training and support is provided
• Working with the CARE Area Office East and, where appropriate, partner staff in development of new projects to help develop projects that are designed to have built in risk mitigation
• Assisting with the strategic and operational analysis and assessments, and with the refinement of program strategies
• Supporting the process of performing safety & security risk assessments or evaluation missions in the field and regularly review safety and security procedures

2. Security Management

2.1 Prevention

• ?Assisting in developing and regular updating the Area Safety and Security Management Planed tools in accordance with the nature of safety and security risks (Inc. detailed threat assessments, security protocols, standard operating procedures for personal movement &transport, office, warehouse, tele/radio communications, incident report sheets, and assets protection)
• Assisting in developing appropriate safety and security protocols depending on the nature of specific threats and risks
• Ensuring safety and security dimensions are factored into all operational activities such as programming (including budget), advocacy and communication
• Assisting managers enhancing standards in relation to safety and security
• Coordinating with Human Resources Officer to ensure field staff know how to identify health risks in Ukraine and the region, how to protect against illness, injury, and stress, and how to obtain proper support or medical treatment
• Working with administrative / logistics staff to ensure appropriate steps are taken to safeguard office premises, equipment, and residential property (guards, locks, lighting, alarms, and  fire equipment)
• Supporting the development of the network of contacts among national and regional actors to facilitate CARE work and enhance the security of its operations
• Representing CARE Ukraine Safety & Security and coordinate amongst all actors (state, military, INGOs, and other organizations) on all matters pertaining to safety and security
• Organizing and circulating relevant safety and security information to the staff and provide an opportunity for employees to voice Safety and/or Security-related concerns
• Contributing to the security of humanitarian community by sharing relevant security related information
• Ensuring timely and accurate reporting of safety and security incidents
• Coordinating training in safety & security, ensuring that staff have the necessary equipment and are trained accordingly
• Ensuring that project proposals and operational plans budgets include safety and security plans
• Ensuring that all incoming visitors receive a security briefing and information
• Ensuring all staff understand and fulfil individual and collective responsibilities for safety and security
• Supervising and enforcing (including disciplinary action where necessary) compliance safety and security standards and procedures

2.2 Procedures and Protocols

The Safety, Security and Access Officer is assists in the management of threats and risks, in part through the effective implementation of SOPs and Contingency Plans, and provide the following services:

• Advising implementing partners on Safety & Security SOPs and Contingency Plans according to CARE standards
• Briefing all new staff to operational area on national and regional security conditions and protocols
• Maintaining high levels of oversight for all staff physical security issues at offices and accommodation
• Assisting in overseeing the maintenance of staff contact lists and the security information trees
• Under the supervision and authority of the SSAC and AD, disseminate security flash alerts and advisories to staff and partners as and when required
• Reporting events and personnel not respecting risk mitigation procedures or in security breaches to the AD and SSAC
• Ensuring that effective communications are in place and that all staff members are adequately trained to use any equipment that is included in the SSMP, and that all staff members are capable of following communication protocols

3. Support after an Incident or in a Crisis

The Area Safety, Security and Access Officer is required to be a first responder for any safety or security incident involving CARE staff or assets in the designated area. Responsibilities include:

• Providing incident reports and analysis to the AD and SSAC as required
• Assisting AD and SSAC to ensure contingency planning for major events and critical incidents is adequate, based on risk assessments
• Deploying at short notice to support operations in CARE program in Kharkiv area in Ukraine
• Supporting the Incident Management or Crisis Management Team(s) in the event of a major incident or in a time of crisis
• Assisting with emergency medical evacuations within the country office

3.1 Reaction

Assisting in developing contingency plans for incidents management events such as:? 

• Accidents, ambush, car hijacking, among other incidents affecting staff
• Severe injuries and serious illness (hospitalization or medevac)
• Unlawful arrest and detention
• Death of an employee
• Destruction of essential assets
• Train staff on contingency measures and ensure they know how to react
• Establish relocation and emergency evacuations plans

3.2 Recovery and resumption of operations

• Ensure that preparations are made to enable post incident counselling to be offered to staff who have been confronted to traumatic events 
• Take the necessary measure to ensure post incident recovery and operation continuity
• Make the necessary arrangements to ensure resumption of critical processes, systems, and operations (alternate worksites, office storage, and remote control)

3.3 Review? 

• Review periodically past experiences and practices and propose improvements based on analytical judgment

4. Management and Capacity Development

The Area Safety, Security and Access Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Assisting in building capacity through training, coaching, and mentoring of CARE staff and Implementation 
• Partners in designated area in accordance with implementation agreements and relevant CARE Code and Policies
• Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities
• Assisting in recognition and proposing rewards for outstanding performance
• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans

5. Reports and Advisories

• Assisting in preparing a weekly situation report for the SMT and SSAM in designated area, and on an ad-hoc basis as required
• Completing reports as required by AD and/or SSAC
• Providing feedback to the AD and SSAC on progress in respect to safety and security risk management actions and initiatives
• Ensuring that regular strategic risk assessments are conducted, and management informed of emerging trends and threats

6. Other

The role of the Area Safety, Security and Access Officer is not restricted to the above provisions, and he/she maybe asked to perform other duties as directed by the Area Director and Area Safety, Security and Access Coordinator.

Reporting Lines/Line Management

The Area Safety, Security and Access Officer reports to the CARE Ukraine Area Safety, Security and Access Coordinator in designated area.

Key Internal Contacts

• Area Director
• Area Safety, Security and Access Coordinator
• Field Manager Kharkiv
• Safety, Security and Access Manager
• Program Managers and Project staff in designated area

Key External Contacts

• Ukrainian officials and other officials from neighboring countries
• Safety and Security Managers and staff of international NGOs and other organizations
• Regional and national government and security authorities

Essential Criteria required:

Qualifications

• Required: relevant bachelor’s degree? 
• Desired: Recognized certificate in Safety & Security management
• Advantage: Proven experience in conducting Safety & Security related trainings

Experience, Skills, and Core Competencies

• At least one year work experience in safety & security management
• At least one year experience in working in complex and hazardous environments
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian
• Flexible and committed to CARE standards of work
• Demonstrated experience with report writing
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams and supervising staff
• Proficiency in MS Office application particularly Excel, outlook, and Word

Accountability:

A commitment to CARE values and CARE’s integrity framework is critical to working with CARE. Any candidate offered a job with CARE will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with CARE’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behavior protocols
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within reprogramming area
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behavior of a CARE staff or partner

Safeguarding:

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with CARE as a result of CARE activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at-risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm. One of the ways that CARE shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process formal candidates.

Gender equality:

CARE is committed to meeting the standards of the CARE International Gender Policy (2019). Through this policy, CARE seeks to promote the equal realization of dignity and human rights for girls, women, boys  and the elimination of poverty and injustice. Specifically, this policy seeks to improve the corporation of gender in programmatic and organizational practices.

How to Apply:

Please send your complete application package (CV, motivation letter, references) to Отправить резюме , no later than  26 Apri 2024, with Safety Security & Access Officer Kharkiv as the subject title of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.