Humanitarian Access and Safety Coordinator Palestine Jerusalem

Background

The purpose of NRC’s Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) function is to enable a principled humanitarian response in a safe manner for the communities and partners we work with and our staff. Despite NRC’s success in delivering assistance to those in need, security and access constraints remain significant challenges. Obstacles such as conflict and violence, environmental and physical challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and interference in humanitarian operations, hinder the delivery of services and protection to displacement affected people. 

Role and Responsibilities

The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Coordinator is a key technical resource on safety and security, crisis management, and access at the area level. This role contributes to managing safety and security risks, building capacity, implementing Duty of Care (in direct coordination with People and Organisation), developing humanitarian access strategies, and facilitating principled humanitarian programming. The HAS Coordinator reports directly to the Area Manager and is technically overseen by the HAS Manager. This position is a core member of the Area Management Group.

Generic Responsibilities

Implement the NRC Global HAS Management System at the area level, prepare reports as required and execute area-focused elements of the HAS Operational Plan.

Contribute to a culture of enabling a safe and principled humanitarian response and support the implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards.

Line management responsibility for direct reporting staff. This includes: 

Performance management process: setting clear goals aligned to strategic priorities, and to follow up and support staff’s achievement. 

Support Area Manager and HAS Manager with workforce planning, recruitment, staff induction and development and support for Duty of Care for HAS staff in area.

Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the West Bank and East Jerusalem area‘s security and humanitarian context, including analysis and forecasting, to regularly brief area management on key security developments, NRC exposure, access challenges, and emerging threats to inform decision-making.

Lead on drafting initial context analysis for onset shock/crisis and collaborate with programme teams to identify opportunities for emergency response activations. Contribute to donor facing documentation linked to onset shock/crisis.  

Support the HAS Manager in the development of West Bank and East Jerusalem HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies, and context-relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in line with organisational standards.

Lead the development of area-level HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies, and context-relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in line with organisational standards. 

Support the HAS Manager in conducting Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments, including Rapid SRAs for new operational locations, and collaborate with management to implement relevant mitigation measures and support safe programming.

Work with the Area Management Group to maintain compliance with NRC’s HAS Management System at the area level.

Facilitate ongoing culture of learning relevant to Humanitarian Access and Safety and arrange for trainings including Hostile Environment Individual Security Training (HEIST), Field First Aid, drills and simulations for NRC staff and partners, in line with NRC policies.

In consultation with the Area Manager and HAS Manager, communicate, and coordinate with relevant external actors and coordination structures and build relationships with various stakeholders to inform operations and security management as well as increase humanitarian access and protect humanitarian space at the area level.

Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies and procedures.

Specific Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Area Manager, HAS Manager, People and Organisation staff, to ensure Duty of Care standards are upheld, reflecting the diversity of the NRC workforce and visitors to the area.

Work with management to ensure that all staff give their informed consent based on briefing upon arrival and that updates are regularly shared on the security context. 

Work with the Area Management Group (AMG) on emergency preparedness and contingency planning. 

Monitor and analyze the context (overall security situation, risks, and most likely scenarios), ensuring reliable security information and analysis as a basis for informed decision-making. 

Responsible for security and access incident reporting both internally and externally as required. 

Collaborate with AMG members and the HAS Manager to manage access, safety and security related incidents at the Area level, ensuring their documentation in NRC Protect. 

Lead on drafting initial context analysis for onset shock/crisis and collaborate with programme teams to identify opportunities for emergency response activations. Contribute to donor facing documentation linked to onset shock/crisis.  

Collaborate with management to ensure that the relevant mitigation measures are in place in the field and within our processes to reduce risks to an acceptable level. 

As a key member of the Crisis Management Team, provide sustained support to operational teams and management during an incident. 

Contribute, in collaboration with the Area Manager and HAS Manager, to improving humanitarian access for NRC operations across the area by providing technical support on tools and strategies, supporting capacity building for area staff, and assisting teams in developing access strategies and engagement plans. 

Ensure that HAS training tracker is up to date. 

Lead and/or advise on the engagement with parties to the conflict, including non-state armed groups and state armed forces at the area level, when designated by management, 

Participate in Project Cycle Management by providing contextual analysis and technical advice on operational and programmatic modalities in the area. 

Provide the relevant HAS information required for project proposals to donors, internal or external audits, and any other requests as needed. 

Contribute to capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives with local partners regarding security risk management and humanitarian access in the area, in coordination with the HAS Manager and the partnership focal points. 

Represent NRC in external forums at the area level, such as security coordination groups, Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) and Civil-Military Coordination, as well as other forums as required. 

Promote safeguarding principles and commitments within NRC and amongst communities. 

Participate, actively, in the Area Management Group. 

Contribute to NRC’s Risk Management process supporting Risk & Compliance Coordinator and other Risk Owners in identifying, assessing, and managing organizational risks. 

Perform any other tasks related to HAS and the position as delegated by the Area Manager.

Generic Professional Competencies

Minimum three years of relevant experience in a humanitarian/recovery context.

Solid understanding of the Humanitarian Principles and their application in programmatic and advocacy responses, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination.

Previous experience working in complex contexts and understanding of access negotiations. 

Proficient in MS Office applications including Word and Excel.

Prior experience as a trainer is an added value.

Working proficiency in English (written and verbal). Arabic is an asset.

Context Related Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Demonstrated knowledge of context.

Experience in liaising with communities and authorities as well as with NGOs.

Experience in risk management with implementing partners (as applicable).

Experience in risk management with implementing partners. 

Experience in working with and understanding risk management with a focus on risks related to security and safety. 

Understanding security and safety management processes in a humanitarian INGO context. 

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

Demonstrated analytical skills and attention to detail. 

Ability to work under pressure and manage stress. 

What we Offer? 

You will be working in an international and diverse organization with a dynamic atmosphere. 

You will receive support and opportunities to expand your skills and enhance your expertise. 

You will be working in our Office in Jerusalem, 

This position is Grade (07) Step (01). Salary & Benefits are based on Jerusalem Duty Station.

Reports to: Area Manager.

Recruiter: Recruitment Team.

Contract Duration: 12 months renewable based on the need of position, fund and performance.

E-mail: PS.Recruitment@nrc.no