Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator (Snr HAS Co) reports to the Country Director (CD) and Regional Safety & Security Director (RSSD) and manages the Humanitarian Access & Security Department for the Ukraine country program. He/she is a member of the country Senior Management Team (SMT) and manages a team of security and access professionals across the country. The Snr HAS Co ensures that IRC’s security policies and procedures are contextually appropriate, well-communicated, and effectively implemented. They work in close coordination with program teams to advise on humanitarian access issues and facilitate safe and principled program delivery. They analyze security trends, advise senior leadership, update security risk assessments and implement security management plans. 

This position requires frequent travel throughout the country.

Major Responsibilities

Safety & Security Management
•    Provide technical support to country management on all policies, procedures, guidelines, strategies and planning for staff safety, operational security, and program continuity.
•    Ensure compliance with the IRC’s Security Minimum Standards and implement corrective actions to improve compliance as needed. 
•    Evaluate, review and update security management plans for all IRC offices and implementation locations, including all relevant contingency plans and SOPs. 
•    Work with key stakeholders to develop, consolidate and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.
•    Conduct risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
•    Undertake continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met.
•    Oversee movement planning and clearance processes for all staff, and visitors, ensuring adherence to Movement SOPs. 
•    Approve travel to areas with elevated or rapidly changing risk levels and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
•    Provide and implement the best possible solutions for the use of communications equipment, including proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment.
•    Develop and maintain a network of IRC Security Focal Points at each field office and program site enhancing gender balance.
•    Ensure safety and security protocols, reporting mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles, and background, and are sensitive to local contexts.
•    As a key Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) member, provide sustained support to operational teams and management during an incident.
•    Identify, create, and maintain a network with NGO/UN and other humanitarian access and security specialists.
•    Liaise with peers and attend meetings at relevant humanitarian fora, e.g., NGO Security Focal Points, INSO, NGO Forums, etc.

Humanitarian Access Management
•    Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites and include overarching community engagement components.
•    In line with the humanitarian principles, develop ongoing relationships with appropriate local authorities and other key stakeholders, encouraging collaboration with IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and have access to continue delivering humanitarian activities.
•    Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in all areas of operation are known and accepted.
•    Provide technical input and advice on assessments to consider IRC programming in new geographic locations.
•    Provide strategic advice to SMT and program teams on access constraints affecting project planning, budgeting, and implementation.

Context Monitoring and Reporting
•    Monitor the operating environment across all IRC areas of operation to identify emerging threats, assess organizational vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures or corrective actions.
•    Compile and submit regular reports on humanitarian access, security incidents, and environmental trends, including reports required by the country program, regional office, and donors.
•    Submit daily contextual updates to the SMT and relevant field and program management staff, as needed.
•    Ensure all security and access incidents are immediately notified to the Country Director and the Regional Safety & Security Director. 
•    Ensure all security and access incidents are reported through the IRC’s online system within 48 hours of the incident occurring. 

Training and Capacity Building
•    Develop and implement strategies to enhance security culture within the country program. 
•    Oversee the work of the Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Manager – Partnership and Training to develop, review and deliver capacity-building plans to support IRC staff and IRC partner organizations.
•    Work with relevant internal focal points to develop, review, and deliver onboarding packages and briefings for new hires and visitors.

Program Development
•    Participate in program design in close cooperation with program staff, supporting the development of conflict-sensitive and contextually appropriate approaches.
•    Participate in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the timely, safe, and secure delivery of IRC service to beneficiaries.
•    Advise program and field management teams on context-specific risks pertaining to Safety & Security and Humanitarian Access and contribute to developing and implementing mitigation measures and plans.
•    Ensure budgeting for security equipment, staffing, training, and risk mitigation is included in new proposals.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
•    Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
•    Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
•    Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to perform in their positions successfully.
•    Approve and manage all time, attendance, and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
•    As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the IRC Staff Employment Policies
•    Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of all staff

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION:
Reports to: Country Director (CD) 

Technical supervision by: Regional Safety & Security Director (RSSD) 

Direct Reports: Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Senior Manager; Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Manager – Partnership & Training 

Technically Supervises: Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Officers in field offices who are directly supervised by Field Coordinators. 

Key Interfaces: SMT, Program Coordinators, Field Coordinators, Regional Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator.

Requirements

•    5 years of experience, including substantial non-profit or NGO work within international humanitarian assistance programs, with proven ability to plan, organize, and manage security operations in high-risk field settings.
•    A university degree in Security Risk Management, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field is advantageous.
•    Demonstrated understanding of humanitarian principles and sector-specific practices relevant to field operations.
•    Knowledge of communication technologies (e.g., satellite communications, mobile networks) is an asset.
•    Experience in delivering training; ability to develop, implement, facilitate and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
•    Proven management experience, including people and projects.
•    Solid ability to provide team-building, coaching, and development for staff as well as encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation.
•    Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders.
•    Strong negotiation and mediation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution essential
•    Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
•    Experience working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including local and international NGOs, government authorities, and community actors, with a high level of cultural sensitivity and diplomacy.
•    Digital literacy: MS Word, Excel & email applications required; MS Access, Project & GIS preferred.

Language/Travel:
•    Fluency in English. Working knowledge of Ukrainian is strongly preferred.
•    40% travel primarily to field locations in Ukraine. 
 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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