Safety Assistant (Watch Keeper) at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Background

• Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally.
• Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose

• The purpose of the Watch keeper role is to act as operations and communications focal point to the DRC mission staff for both the day-to-day operational needs and during security and medical emergencies.
• The Safety Assistant will be the persons responsible for the management of communications and staff movement monitoring, ensuring compliance with the DRC MOSS, as well as all safety and security policies, procedures and protocols:

Duties and Responsibilities
Staff movements and accountability oversight and support at field level across the North East Regional States:

• Provide a 24-hour over watch on all DRC Nigeria deep field locations by acting as an immediate point of contact for all staff 24/7 Monitors, tracks, logs and reports all DRC Nigeria staff movements at field level across the BAY regional states Monitors and logs all radio and satellite communications with DRC Nigeria field staff and other delegated focal persons Monitors and logs all DRC Nigeria staff movements.

Security Incidents and Data Management:

• Monitor, log and report on the security context via local and external sources within the BAY region Monitor the local and national news/media platforms.
• Draft and disseminate the daily media monitoring reports Receive, log and disseminate daily security incident alerts, advisories and updates when/if required ensuring timely notification to DRC Mission Communicate all changes in the Safety Level at field level when directed by the Safety Team Leader and  Humanitarian Access and Safety Advisor Ensure all safety and security incidents are logged and reported using the DRC reporting mechanism.

Administrative and Operational Support:

• Play an active role of the DRC Nigeria Missions Safety and Security Department A key player in the DRC Nigeria Missions country communications and staff accountability plan by providing technical communications support
• Conducts Staff Pre-Departure Security Briefing
• To serve in the shift duties and operate various types of communications equipment on a daily basis
• Responsible for the issue of communications devices, supporting accessories and relevant documentation to deploying staff.
• Be able to operate Motorola VHF/UHF radio, tracking devices, Thuraya and iridium satellite communications equipment.
• Be able to carry out maintenance, function’s tests and repairs on all communications equipment operated in the DRC Nigeria Mission.
• Report any security situation/reports immediately to the Safety Team Leader who will communicate to the Humanitarian Access safety Advisor and the Area Manager.

Asset Management:

• Maintain the Safety Unit’s asset register and oversight on all assets that are both utilized and stored (Thuraya phones, radio, etc). 
• Coordinate with the DRC Logistics and Procurement department to ensure that the overall DRC asset register reflects the Safety Unit’s current asset register.
• Carry out any additional responsibilities and tasks as assigned by Safety Team Leader & Humanitarian Access & Safety Coordinator.
• The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Qualifications

• Tertiary education (Bachelor minimum) in Security Management, Criminology, Political Science, Communication or related field.
• Two (2) Experience working with INGOs/UN, other international agencies.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Stable, moral and robust character and a good team-player.
• Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humour.
• Proven commitment to accountability practices.
• Strong information technology skills.

Desirable:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to humanitarian work or risk management
• Competent and literate in English, verbal and written, with a sound knowledge of technical expressions.
• Demonstrative experience in INGO/NGO or UN field (operations) with experience of safety and security.
• An ex Security Forces (Police, Military etc) with a Certified Discharge Letter. 

General Regulations:

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.