Job Offer: Humanitarian Access and Safety Manager

General Objective

As the Humanitarian Access & Safety Manager, you will oversee the entire Safety Risk Management (SRM) system for the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. Working closely with safety staff, Project Managers, and program Team Leaders, and under the direct supervision of the Area Manager with technical support from the Humanitarian Access and Safety Coordinator, you will focus on achieving the following objectives and tasks.

Key Responsibilities

A) Primary Objectives of the Role:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
• Ensure program access and continuity by providing accurate, timely advice and solutions.
• Collaborate with DRC’s local partners to assess their safety and access needs, building their capacity and integrating best practices, lessons learned, and local knowledge.
• Ensure adherence to DRC’s safety policies in alignment with the DRC Operations Handbook.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor the Safety and Access team members.
• Provide timely and high-quality reporting through DRC’s tools and templates.
• Maintain effective communication within the SW/NW operations and with the DRC Country Office.
• Assist in the development of policies and procedures for the field office, collaborating with the Area Manager and Humanitarian Access and Safety Coordinator.
• Take full accountability for all Access and Safety-related decisions and issues.

B) Humanitarian Access & Programme Continuity:

• Implement a comprehensive approach to access negotiations, involving DRC program staff, support services, local communities, and other stakeholders.
• Work alongside program teams to ensure that strategies for humanitarian access and engagement effectively serve the intended purposes, minimize unintended consequences, and adhere to humanitarian principles while staying within DRC’s acceptable risk levels.
• Develop a network with stakeholders and strategize to improve DRC’s access and acceptance in the field. Lead or participate in access negotiations when necessary.
• Regularly produce analysis on the humanitarian space, access conditions, and DRC’s presence and operations, identifying potential scenarios and key decision points at all levels.
• Monitor access and security-related developments and ensure timely reporting of any incidents or concerns.

C) Safety Management:

• Ensure full compliance with Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Local Safety Rules.
• Regularly conduct Safety Risk Assessments (SRA) for each program area, in line with DRC Safety Policy.
• Develop and implement Safety Improvement Plans and Contingency Plans as necessary.
• Serve as Area-level support for the Incident Management Team (IMT), ensuring all members understand their roles and responsibilities. Act as the primary contact for safety issues with the field office, Country Office, and external actors (INSO, UNHCR, OCHA, CHINGO, UNDSS, etc.).
• Maintain accurate safety documentation, monitor the overall safety situation, and provide regular situation reports. Keep an up-to-date incident tracking database and share relevant safety information through internal and external reports.
• Deliver briefings and updates for all teams as required.

D) Capacity Building:

• Lead or facilitate safety training for staff at all levels, ensuring that watchmen and guards understand and comply with their responsibilities under the access control SOPs.
• Assess capacity-building needs of DRC’s local partners and deliver training, workshops, and materials to enhance their capabilities.
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts with other NGOs, INSO, government agencies, and key local stakeholders. Represent DRC in safety and access-related matters for the Northwest/Southwest regions.

E) Managerial Responsibilities:

• Be accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives in the assigned regions.
• Oversee team management, including recruitment, setting objectives, probation, performance evaluation, and staff development. Manage performance, including addressing any issues with underperformance.
• Make sound decisions based on DRC policies, SOPs, standards, and local safety regulations, with guidance from the Area Manager and Humanitarian Access and Safety Coordinator.
• Ensure the responsibilities outlined are adhered to but may be adjusted as per operational requirements while staying aligned with the overall role purpose.

Required Qualifications

Essential:

• Master’s degree in political science, peace & conflict studies, history, disaster management, or military education.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in safety and security management or advisory roles within an INGO.
• Proven experience in conducting needs assessments and implementing capacity-building initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective and context-specific protocols and systems.
• Strong skills in information gathering, analysis, and report writing.
• Experience in conducting high-quality Safety Risk Assessments (SRAs).
• Background in critical incident management and working in hazardous environments.
• Experience working in multicultural and multinational settings.

Desirable:

• HEAST or HEAT training is considered an asset.

Languages:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in local spoken languages (e.g., English Pidgin) is advantageous.
• Fluency in French is also an asset.

Key Stakeholders (Internal & External):

• DRC staff and partner staff.
• Other INGOs, international organizations, and local NGOs.
• Administrative authorities, local community leaders, and stakeholders.

Required Skills & Qualities

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for Excellence: Focus on achieving results efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborating: Engage relevant stakeholders and encourage constructive feedback.
• Taking the Lead: Take ownership and initiative, driving innovation and improvement.
• Communicating: Communicate effectively, with clarity and honesty.
• Demonstrating Integrity: Uphold DRC’s values and code of conduct, ensuring a commitment to ethical and professional standards, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Additionally, you must possess:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• The ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment, with a good sense of humor.