Humanitarian Access & Operations Senior Officer

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.
Location: Ukraine, Kherson
Duration: in accordance with the contract
Start date: in accordance with the contract
The Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Operations Senior Officer (SO) will support the safe and effective establishment and day-to-day functioning of the IRC field presence in Khersonsyi raion. Given the high-risk operating environment, Safety and Security is the primary responsibility of the position, while Supply Chain and Administrative support are secondary functions that enable program delivery.
The SO will serve as the key field-level focal point for staff safety, operational security, movement management, security preparedness and incident response in Khersonskyi raion. The SO will also support procurement, logistics, fleet, warehouse, premises and administrative processes required for the Kherson office, while ensuring compliance with IRC policies, procedures and security requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security Management – PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
· Act as the primary field-level focal point for staff safety and operations for the office and program activities in Khersonskyi raion under the technical guidance of the Humanitarian Access Safety and Security (HASS) team and in coordination with the Field Coordinator
· Monitor and analyze the local security environment daily, identify emerging threats and vulnerabilities, and provide timely security advice, updates, alerts, and reports to Field Coordinator and staff that will inform decision making on daily movements and program activities
· Implement the Security Management Plan, SOPs, contingency plans and other relevant security protocols
· Conduct or support security risk assessments of the office, accommodation, routes, program locations and other operational premises, and follow up on agreed mitigation measures
· Support the development and implementation of evacuation, relocation, hibernation and emergency response plans, ensuring appropriate emergency preparedness measures are in place
· Support the review and revision of the operational model for project implementation in Khersonskyi raion, including activity locations, delivery schedules, team movements, and communications
· Monitor staff movements and ensure compliance with movement approval, tracking, and security procedures in Khersonskyi raion
· Deliver security briefings, inductions, refresher sessions, and practical drills for staff, visitors and travelling personnel entering the Khersonskyi raion operational area
· Manage and maintain all safety and security equipment in Kherson and escalate any concerns and anticipated needs to the Field Coordinator
· Support incident management, documentation and follow-up in coordination with the HASS team, Field Coordinator, and People and Culture
Represent IRC and liaise with INGO, NGO, and local stakeholders and also relevant security actors e.g., NGO security staff, security forces, local authorities
· Support the establishment and maintenance of a secure Kherson office in line with IRC safety and security requirements
· Promote staff awareness of and compliance with security policies and procedures, identify training or preparedness gaps, and promptly escalate serious concerns or breaches through the appropriate management channels
Supply Chain, Fleet & Logistics Support – SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITY
· Support day-to-day logistics required for program implementation in Khersonskyi raion, including transportation, fleet coordination, procurement follow-up, warehouse activities and movement of supplies
· Support armored vehicle allocation and transportation planning, with particular attention to security clearance, safe routes, driver compliance and movement restrictions
· Monitor operational readiness of armored vehicles and logistics resources and escalate maintenance or safety concerns
· Support warehouse and inventory activities in Kherson, including receipt, storage, dispatch and physical inventory checks
· Ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for logistics, fleet, procurement and inventory in Kherson, in accordance with IRC policies and donor compliance
· Support local supplier and service-provider coordination in accordance with IRC procedures
Administration & Office Support – SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITY
· Support the day-to-day administrative functioning of the Kherson office, including office supplies, premises-related issues, service arrangements and facilities management
· Support office setup, furniture, equipment, utilities and other administrative requirements
· Maintain accurate administrative records and provide information required for operational reporting
· Undertake other operational or administrative tasks assigned by the Field Manager, provided they do not compromise the primary HASS responsibilities
Concerning all client-facing staff:
• Information sharing - Regularly share and discuss timely, accurate and relevant information in local
languages with communities about: - access and eligibility to service, -expected staff behaviors and
code of conduct, - community feedback, safeguarding mechanism and how to use them .
• Facilitating participation - Identify and provide communities with opportunities to participate in and
guide programs – from assessment and design through to monitoring and evaluation. Talk with
communities about how they would like to be involved in decision-making and discuss with
management how this can be facilitated.
• Feedback collection and reporting - Establish or promote the formal feedback mechanism – aligned
with organizational best practice – to capture, monitor, respond to and act on feedback and
complaints from communities.
For people managers:
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection at team level to strengthen safeguarding,
wellbeing and duty of care, and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
• Lead by example and support IRC’s commitment to taking all necessary preventive measures and
creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct.
For FMT and ESMT members:
• Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC
works with to build a culture of prevention of safeguarding violations in our workplace and our
programs.
• Model accountability and commitment to wellbeing of all staff, partners, clients and others, the IRC
works with to build a culture of duty of care in our workplace and our programs
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education: Graduation from a higher education facility in a relevant subject is preferred, however secondary education and significant professional experience will be considered
Experience:
Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in humanitarian, NGO, security, logistics or field operations
Demonstrated experience working in a high-risk or conflict-affected environment, with practical responsibility for staff safety, field movements or operational security
Experience implementing SOPs, contingency plans, risk assessments, movement procedures or emergency preparedness measures
Experience coordinating with local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies or other humanitarian/security stakeholders is an advantage
Experience in logistics, fleet, procurement, warehouse or office administration is desirable
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC in coordination forums with external stakeholders
· Strong understanding of operational security and risk management in a conflict-affected environment
· Ability to assess rapidly changing situations and provide clear, practical and timely advice
Strong negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills essential
· Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressu