Jobs at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Roles and Responsibilities:

Generic responsibilities

• Ensure NRC policies, handbooks, procedures, and SOPs/guidelines are adhered to.
• Line management of CC Project Managers/ Coordinators, Area Emergency Response Project Manager, and Area M&E Coordinator.
• Provide and lead the development of Area programme and CC-specific strategies, initiate, and participate in developing projects and interventions.
• Lead on grant management and project cycle management in the area.
• Responsible for actively promoting, supporting, and driving ‘integrated’ (multi-sector) programmes, cross-sectorial exchange of lessons learned, and adherence to relevant quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with donor standards and oversee effective grant management and regular, timely, and high-quality reporting to donors of the Area program within the Country Office grants management structure and PCM flowchart.
• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and extracting and implementing critical learnings from project implementation. 
• Ensure the development and implementation of a capacity-building plan for all area programme staff. 
• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist.
• Ensure the AO implementation is following the SIP (Safe Inclusive Programming) minimum standards in alignment with the SIP Action Plan

Specific responsibilities 

• Implementing the NRC Health, Safety, and Security Risk Management System.
• Take charge of overseeing and conducting thorough Security Risk Analysis (SRA) in alignment with the minimum operational safety standards (MOSS) to ensure a secure environment within NRC’s operations.
• Create and refine comprehensive security and contingency plans tailored specifically to NRC's areas of operation and the Area Office, fostering preparedness and resilience.
• Develop, regularly update, and implement Health, Safety, and Security (HSS) strategies, plans, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), while identifying and providing effective mitigation measures that ensure safe and secure programming across the board.
• Prepare and generate detailed status reports as required by management, offering insights into current safety conditions and security measures in place.
• Ensure robust security support for all projects aimed at benefiting our target communities, continuously exploring innovative methods to enhance support for program teams.
• Actively contribute to the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards, ensuring these principles are integrated into operational strategies across the area of work.
• Provide essential support for humanitarian access initiatives in the operational area, facilitating movement and safety for personnel and resources.
• Meticulously monitor and assess the security context, analyzing the overall security situation, identifying risks, and predicting likely scenarios to ensure reliable security information drives informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with management to guarantee that relevant risk mitigation measures are effectively implemented in the field and within organizational processes, thereby minimizing risks to an acceptable level.
• Work closely with management to ensure that all staff members receive comprehensive briefings upon arrival, grant their informed consent, and consistently communicate timely updates on security situations.
• Always rigorously uphold Duty of Care (DoC) HSS standards, taking corrective actions in collaboration with the HR department when any weaknesses are identified.
• Partner with the Area Management Team (AMT) in preparing for program-related emergencies, offering oversight and technical support in the formulation of security protocols and emergency evacuation plans.
• As a crucial member of the Crisis Management Team, provide unwavering support to operational teams and management during critical incidents, ensuring effective response measures are executed.
• Enhance humanitarian access for NRC operations throughout Adamawa State by delivering technical guidance on tools and strategies, facilitating capacity building for field staff, and supporting the Area Manager and program/support teams in navigating access-related challenges.
• Foster a continuous learning environment focused on health, safety, and security by coordinating ongoing training initiatives, including Hostile Environment Individual Safety Training (HEIST) and on-site practical training in line with NRC policies.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication and collaboration with relevant external HSS actors, developing relationships with diverse stakeholders to bolster and sustain humanitarian access.
• Contribute actively to NRC's Risk Management process, collaborating with the Risk & Compliance Coordinator and other Risk Owners to effectively identify, assess, and manage organizational risks.
• Represent NRC in health and safety discussions, ensuring our positions and recommendations are communicated effectively within relevant forums.

Competencies 

Generic Professional Competencies: 

• A Bachelor's degree is required, accompanied by a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in the same or a similar functional area, preferably in the context of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or United Nations (UN) agencies.
• The candidate must exhibit strong decision-making capabilities and proven experience in incident management, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience in risk management, particularly with a focus on identifying and mitigating risks associated with security and safety, is essential.
• The applicant should have a background in delivering effective training programs, showcasing the ability to facilitate participant learning and development.
• Proficiency in communicating and collaborating with diverse communities and authorities is critical, as is experience working alongside NGOs to achieve common goals.
• A solid understanding of security and safety management processes within a humanitarian international non-governmental organization (INGO) context is necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are necessary, enabling the individual to engage with various stakeholders effectively.
• Strong analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail are required to assess complex situations and develop appropriate strategies.
• The ability to work efficiently under pressure while managing stress is essential for success in this role.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is required. Additionally, fluency in Hausa is mandatory, while knowledge of other languages spoken in Adamawa State would be considered an advantage.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office, including strong Word, Excel, and Outlook skills.

Context/ Specific Skills, Knowledge, and Experience: 

• Knowledge of the context in North-east Nigeria is desirable.
• Experience in community gatekeeper coordination and stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and practically to improve staff safety and security.
• Experience in security risk assessments and reporting.
• Good communication skills, with the capacity to directly influence and negotiate with various stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style.
• Experience with a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high and diverse workload.

Behavioural competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Managing resources to optimize results.
• Influencing, and initiating action and change
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing performance and development
• Handling insecure environment

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Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the Health, Safety, Security (HSS) Officer position is to lead the collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of HSS risk information internally to all NRC Yola field office staff, consultants, and visitors and liaise with relevant government departments and local leaders for unimpeded access to programming locations.

Generic responsibilities

• Ensure adherence with the NRC Area Office South Security Management Plan and SOPs
• Implement delegated Security tasks according to plan of action.
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management.
• Ensure proper filing of documents.
• Ensure security support to projects targeting beneficiaries most in need, and explore and asses new and better ways to support Program teams.
• Promote and share ideas for technical improvement.
• Development of holistic and needs-based programs, including cash-based interventions and market-based programs.

Specific responsibilities 

These responsibilities adapted to the particularities of the job location and context.

• Implement NRC’s HSS Policies and guidelines in Yola Field Office locations. 
• Conduct regular security risk assessments (SRA) of NRC offices and Guest Houses to implement mitigation measures guided by the MOISS standards. 
• Support the HSS Team Leader and Field Office Coordinator in conducting a Security Risk Assessment (SRA) workshop for the Area and Field Office as per Annex 4 and conduct other rapid SRA on a need basis. Ensure mitigation action plans are budgeted for and implemented. 
• Conduct HSS briefing and induction for all staff, new hires, and visitors to Yola. Record all briefings following informed consent guidelines.
• Supervise contracted security guards and liaise with the security guard company management. 
• Ensure that all incidents impacting NRC staff, assets, and programs in Yola are reported and documented in the NRC Protect Platform. 
• Develop a staff travel tracking system in collaboration with the HSS CMC in Maiduguri Country Office. 
• Liaison with UN agencies, NGOs, and other external actors for information sharing and collaboration in Yola field locations. 
• Collate and prepare a weekly security report for the Yola field office and submit it to the Field Office Coordinator and HSS Team leader. This will include conducting regular conflict analysis/research in implementation locations and submitting findings to the AM and HSS Team Leader. 
• Work closely with the HSS Humanitarian Access team to report, track, and monitor access challenges, enablers, and constraints. 
• Give regular daily context updates to the Area Manager and staff before commencement of field activities. 
• Make available key contact persons in different LGAs where NRC will be implementing activities. 
• Support the HSS Team Leader to facilitate an ongoing culture of learning as it relates to health, safety and security. Support in conducting mandatory training (HEIST, Field First Aid, HEAT, CMT) in line with NRC policies and the country Learning & Development Plan. Organize other bespoke onsite training based on assessed need.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have:
• Experience working in Health, Safety, and Security in a humanitarian/ recovery context for at least 3 years.
• Previous experience working in complex and volatile contexts, especially in northeastern Nigeria.
• Experience in risk management for implementing partners and remote management.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and verbal
• Previous experience in delivering training and capacity-building activities.
• Experience working with State and Non-state Actors in northeastern Nigeria.
• Takes responsibilities with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Nigerian nationality.