Humanitarian Safety Advisor

The Humanitarian Safety Advisor leads the establishment and operationalisation of NRC's Humanitarian Safety Unit in North-East and North Central Nigeria, providing safety coordination for member organisations. The role involves facilitating safety coordination meetings, managing safety information, capacity development, and liaising with government and UN bodies to support humanitarian operations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, convene and facilitate humanitarian safety coordination meetings and roundtables for NIF member organisations across the North-East and North Central regions to strengthen operational awareness, promote information sharing, and support coordinated humanitarian response.
• Work closely with the Information Management Technical Adviser to develop, validate and disseminate periodic safety information products, including the 6Ws database and quarterly operational reports, to support evidence-based planning by member organisations, while maintaining appropriate records of dissemination.
• Maintain a database of operational incidents voluntarily reported by member organisations, analyse trends, and produce information that supports humanitarian preparedness and operational decision-making.
• Identify capacity development needs and coordinate the planning and delivery of HEAT, SSAFE or equivalent safety training for humanitarian personnel in collaboration with member organisations and accredited training providers.
• Serve as NIF's focal point for engagement with UNDSS under the Enhanced Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework and support the development of collaborative information-sharing arrangements and joint preparedness initiatives.
• Provide advisory support on bureaucratic and administrative processes affecting humanitarian operations, working closely with the Government Engagement Adviser and maintaining constructive liaison with relevant government authorities to facilitate humanitarian activities in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Represent NIF in humanitarian coordination platforms relating to operational access and humanitarian coordination, ensuring that the operational concerns of member organisations are appropriately reflected.
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to the Humanitarian Safety Officer to promote consistent methodologies, reporting standards and service delivery across all operational areas.
• Monitor humanitarian, operational and contextual developments that may affect humanitarian activities and provide timely analytical updates to NIF leadership to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure attention to protection issues arising from HSU work, particularly the handling of vulnerable-group information, sensitive sources, and confidential incident data.
• Help organise and facilitate workshops and other capacity-development activities for member safety focal points, as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by NRC country leadership.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of non-profit or NGO work experience within international humanitarian/recovery assistance programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Documented results in related responsibilities.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• Fluency in one or more languages spoken in Northern Nigeria, particularly Hausa, is an advantage.
• Advanced knowledge in communications technology, including satellite communications, cell phone, etc.
• Proven communication, interpersonal, representation, negotiation and skills.
• Computer skills – database knowledge essential, wireless networking.
• Experience working for a humanitarian coordination body.
• Strong capacities to develop relationships with Nigerian government counterparts that can yield positive results.
• University degree in conflict and development, Sociology, international relations, international humanitarian law or related technical field.
• Minimum five years' cognate experience working for an NGO(Local or International or UN Agency).
• Knowledge of the humanitarian coordination system and the mandates of the actors involved.
• Good understanding of the security environment and economic, socio-political dynamics in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region in general.
• Sound working knowledge of the UN Security Management System, the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework, and OCHA-led access coordination architecture.
• Sound knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and civil-military coordination principles and practice as applied in Nigeria.
• Written and spoken fluency in English.
• Strong data analytical and interpretation skills.
• Commitment to and understanding of international humanitarian standards and principles.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and often demanding environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and experience in a humanitarian setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical abilities.
• Proven ability to build relationships and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to present and represent collective views to various stakeholders.

Skills

• Humanitarian Safety Coordination
• Satellite Communication
• Wireless Networking
• Database Management
• Humanitarian Coordination
• Conflict Analysis
• International Humanitarian Law
• Civil-Military Coordination
• Security Management
• Saving Lives Together Framework
• Access Coordination
• Data Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Negotiation Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Technology
• Humanitarian Standards for Children
• Capacity Development
• Report Writing
• Representation Skills

Languages

English, Hausa