Safety & Security Officer (Ukrainian nationals)

Job Title: Safety & Security Officer (Ukrainian nationals)

Department: Safety & Security

Division: Operations

Duty Station: Mykolaiv, Ukraine

Line Manager: Head of Mission

Line Management Responsibility: N/A

Position Type: Full-time

Overview:

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

NP first established a presence in Ukraine in 2014/2015 working on peacebuilding and conflict mediation. NP has had a sustained presence in Ukraine since April 2022. NP occupies a unique space in the protection response in Ukraine; simultaneously providing direct protection to at-risk civilians and providing hands-on support to front-line volunteer collectives to directly contribute to the sustainability and safety of their actions.

Job Summary:

The Safety and Security Officer works directly with the Head of Operations and Security to contribute to the safety and security of NP staff in Ukraine. The position will support with analysis and security inputs and will engage directly with programmes teams for security monitoring and guidance. The position contributes to making sure effective safety and security arrangements are in place for NP staff.

The ideal candidate will bring security expertise developed through experience working in the security and/or humanitarian sector. They are focused and driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to civilian protection – the core of NP’s work.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety & Security Management

• Implement and uphold NP safety and security policies, procedures, SOPs, and contingency plans at field and office level.
• Conduct regular security and risk assessments to identify threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation measures.
• Support the operationalisation of security plans including travel management, incident response, emergency communications, evacuation, relocation, and hibernation procedures.
• Ensure offices, guesthouses, and programme sites meet minimum physical security standards through regular infrastructure and security audits.
• Immediately report and document all security incidents, breaches, threats, or near-misses affecting staff, assets, or operations.

Operational Support & Staff Movement

• Provide real-time tracking, monitoring, and oversight of staff and vehicle movements in line with established procedures.
• Ensure vehicles, communications equipment, and personal protective equipment are available, functional, and compliant with minimum standards.
• Work closely with Logistics to identify, procure, and maintain safety and security equipment and resources.

Information Management & Analysis

• Collect, verify, analyze, and disseminate security-related information from formal and informal sources.
• Maintain up-to-date records of security incidents, trends, and contextual developments.
• Provide timely security briefings, updates, and advisories to staff and management in response to changes in context.
• Contribute to weekly and monthly security reports relevant to NP areas of operation.

Training & Capacity Building

• Deliver regular security briefings, inductions, and awareness sessions for staff.
• Identify security capacity-building needs and support the design and delivery of relevant trainings.
• Train, mentor, and support designated Security Focal Points across field offices.
• Supervise, train, and develop security staff at office or area level where applicable.

Coordination, Liaison & Access

• Maintain strong working relationships with NGOs, UN agencies, INSO, security providers, and relevant coordination platforms.
• Liaise with local authorities, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to support safe access and programme implementation, in line with humanitarian principles.
• Participate in security coordination forums and inter-agency meetings as required.
• Support access analysis and security input for programme planning and expansion into new areas of operation.

Assessments & Compliance

• Participate in security assessments for new locations and evolving operational areas.
• Ensure adherence to NP security risk management standards and country-specific SOPs.
• Support senior management in internal security reviews and audits.

Safeguarding & Conduct

• Comply with and uphold NP safeguarding policies, including child protection, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and policies on bullying and harassment.
• Act in accordance with NP Codes of Conduct at all times.

Critical Interfaces

• All NP staff and departments.
• Senior Management Team.
• Programme and Operations teams.
• Logistics and Administration.
• External coordination and security actors.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in a related field with at least 2 years related work experience or equivalent in work experience.
• Relevant security experience in humanitarian settings / previous experience working with security providers, law enforcement entities, and/or intelligence resources and utilizing information to create and deploy actionable security plans and programs.
• Understanding of current security management good practice.
• Good grasp of various communications technologies commonly used, including VHF radio systems, satellite phones, cell phones, Power Bi, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence, build consensus and develop partnerships.
• Ability to work well under pressure in unstable and frequently changing security environments.
• Training and facilitator skills; ability to support training sessions is a plus.
• Commitment to and understanding of NP’s methodologies, core values and mission.
• Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English, Ukrainian and Russian.
• Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases.
• Valid Ukrainian driving license.
• Knowledge of and commitment to safeguarding, whistleblowing, PSEA and anti-corruption.

Skills and Competencies:

Independent Judgment/Analytical:

• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyse data.
• Ability to manage information with discretion.
• Identify safety and security issues and propose solutions.

Interpersonal:

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and motivate and provide leadership to team and to work and live in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to exert solutions-focused, creative behaviour.
• Proven ability to build relationships with the full range of actors including government, military, police and non-state actors.
• Flexibility and adaptability.

Languages:

• Ability to interact confidently in English with colleagues and external contacts, including in writing, and to present effectively relevant information.

Information Technology:

• High level skills in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Word, Power BI).
• Knowledge of Digital Mapping and GPS tracking software.
• Knowledge of computer software for VHF radios.
• Emergency Response Systems.

Working Conditions:

• Ukraine is a complex security environment, and the evolution of the war is completely unpredictable – experience in insecure environments is essential to success in this position.
• A strong motivation to do what’s necessary in a complex environment.
• Willingness to work some weekends and evenings to contribute to security support and preparedness.