Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. NRC has been operational since 1946 and has grown to become one of the leading organizations in the humanitarian sector, with a presence in over 30 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC employs thousands of staff globally, working tirelessly to address some of the world's most pressing humanitarian crises. The organization's mission is to help people rebuild their lives and futures, ensuring that they receive the support they need in times of crisis. NRC is committed to fostering a culture of professional growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce, encouraging employees to take on responsibilities and contribute to innovative solutions in humanitarian response.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security of humanitarian operations within the designated area of responsibility. This position involves supporting the implementation and monitoring of the NRC's HAS Policy, which includes developing and maintaining safety protocols, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards. The HAS Officer is expected to work closely with the Area Manager and the HAS Manager to facilitate safe and principled humanitarian programming. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating security risks, as well as fostering a culture of safety among staff. The HAS Officer will frequently engage with field operations, providing essential support to ensure that humanitarian access is maintained and that staff can operate safely in challenging environments. The position demands a strong understanding of the local context, security dynamics, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, including local authorities and other humanitarian actors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the implementation of the NRC Global HAS Management System at the area level, preparing reports as required, and executing area/field office-focused elements of the HAS Operational Plan.
• Contributing to a culture of enabling a safe and principled humanitarian response and supporting the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards.
• Developing area/field-level HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Supervising HAS Assistants in relevant area and field offices, providing performance feedback, and contributing to recruitment and capacity building.
• Maintaining an understanding of the humanitarian context and briefing area management on key security developments and access challenges.
• Assisting with Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments, collaborating with management to implement mitigation measures.
• Conducting drills and training staff on access, safety, and security topics.
• Liaising with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities, and other actors to share and obtain security information.
• Ensuring adherence to NRC policies and procedures, particularly regarding HAS. 1
• Preparing and facilitating HAS induction sessions for new staff and conducting site assessments for new rental premises. 1
• Monitoring vehicle and staff movements according to procedures and ensuring safety equipment is available. 1
• Accompanying colleagues to the field to implement HAS procedures and support humanitarian access. 1
• Keeping personnel communication trees updated and conducting test activations. 1
• Facilitating training for the use of alternative communication systems and planning for Hostile Environment Individual Security Training (HEIST). 1
• Promoting proper reporting and documentation of HAS incidents and facilitating staff hibernation or relocation in emergencies. 1
• Contributing to improving humanitarian access by assisting teams in developing access strategies and engaging with parties to the conflict.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer position include:

• A minimum of two years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development operations.
• A foundational understanding of Humanitarian Principles and their application in programmatic and advocacy responses.
• Previous experience working in complex contexts, particularly in insecure environments.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, in English.
• Experience in liaising with communities, authorities, and NGOs.
• Behavioral competencies such as handling insecure environments, planning and delivering results, working with people, analyzing, and communicating with impact and respect.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer position typically includes a degree in a relevant field such as international relations, humanitarian studies, security management, or a related discipline. Candidates with additional certifications in security risk management or humanitarian access will be considered favorably. Continuous professional development and training in safety and security management are also advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates for the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer position should possess a minimum of two years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development operations. This experience should ideally include working in complex and insecure environments, where the candidate has demonstrated the ability to manage safety and security risks effectively. Previous roles that involved direct engagement with communities, local authorities, and other humanitarian actors will be beneficial. Experience in conducting security assessments and developing safety protocols is also highly valued.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for the Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer position is proficiency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the area of operation is considered a strong asset, as it facilitates communication with local communities and authorities. Additional languages may enhance a candidate's profile, particularly if they are relevant to the operational context.

Additional Notes:
The position of Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer is a full-time role, and candidates should be prepared for frequent field visits and potential travel within the area of operation. The role may involve working in challenging and insecure environments, requiring a strong commitment to safety and security protocols. NRC is committed to safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contributing to a safe environment for all. The organization has a zero-tolerance approach to exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and all employees are expected to report any incidents.