Head of Safety

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 800 staff in Ukraine and implements emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a highly-qualified Head of Safety to join our team in Kyiv.

About the job

As the Head of Safety, you will be responsible for ensuring the proper application of DRC’s Safety Risk Management System (SRMS), including Global Safety Policy, identifying known and foreseen risks and to determine and implement appropriate mitigation measures, mechanisms and procedures. In addition, ongoing context assessment and day-to-day safety and security management shall be done in close cooperation with Senior Management and Safety Focal Points, thereby enhancing the operational continuity and resilience of DRC Ukraine country program.

Your main responsibilities will be: 

• Maintain the existing DRC Safety Risk Management System (SRMS) to cover all DRC Ukraine program locations.
• Support in the recruitment of Safety Focal Points and provide capacity building, mentoring and training.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance of the DRC Safety Risk Management System (SRMS).
• Manage the Safety Level System (SLS) for field sites, based on individual Safety Risk Assessments (SRA), and ensure they strive to improve compliance with Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS).
• Identify actual, perceived and foreseeable risks to maintain program continuity and enhance resilience through robust security and risk management.
• Lead the development and production of contextualized risk management policy, protocols and procedures in close collaboration with area offices and management.
• Facilitate program access and continuity through the provision of timely, quality and informed advice.
• Maintain relevant safety documentation, data, and records (staff presence lists, training register, incident tracking, maps, etc.)
• Produce weekly and quarterly security analysis/reports (including ad hoc daily updates, weekly summaries, and monthly trend analysis) where requested.
• Create and deliver high quality security trainings that reach a maximum number of national and international staff. Develop and facilitate workshops for security focal points, heads of departments, area managers and other key staff.
• Mentor, coach and provide technical supervision to safety focal points and other staff with safety management responsibilities.
• Ensure new staff receive a pre-arrival briefing prior to and a country briefing on arrival.
• Provide safety input to meetings and support the Country Director (CD) and Senior Management Team (SMT) in the decision-making process.
• Coordinate with the RO/HQ Crisis Management Team (CMT) when needed, and take part in the Incident Management Teams (IMT)
• Support the development of the capacity of Area Incident Management Teams (IMTs) at Area levels.
• Work with Area Managers and the Head of Support Services to ensure that safety is adequately budgeted for in grants, and support proposal development and donor reporting requirements where applicable. Internal and external reporting on budgets and activities under the grants.
• Act as the focal point for the procurement of safety-related equipment, facilities and other resources.
• Develop, maintain, and participate in networks for (safety) information sharing.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have minimum 5 years as Security Manager/Advisor for an NGO in a high risk/conflict zone (or equivalent role). Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Proven experience in context/security analysis and advising humanitarian personnel.
• Experience in developing and updating SOP’s, contingency plans and other risk assessment and management documents and tools.
• Proven experience in incident/crisis management.
• Experience in conducting safety training for international and national staff, and experience of capacity building.
• Ability to provide conflict analysis (written).
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Computer literate, able to use all common software packages.
• Be able to encourage, motivate and guide team members to approach safety and security issues with confidence especially during crises.
• Be flexible to travel at short notice to difficult and risky areas.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Fluent English is required.

Desirable

• Master degree in relevant subject preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of Ukrainian is an advantage.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: Until January 2028, renewable based on performance and funding following a successful 3-month probation period
• Band: E1 – management
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: March 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national and expat employees.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: February 6th, 2026

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.