Ukraine Security Consultant

To provide sound and comprehensive safety and security support, advice and guidance to the Christian Aid Ukraine Crisis programme team, including for travel planning, and guidance in the event of immediate threats to staff safety. This role will be responsible for managing security and logistics processes and procedures, ensuring Christian Aid safety and security standards are met in Ukraine, and ensuring safe operations in Ukraine; minimising risks to staff and partner organisations, while enabling effective implementation of humanitarian activities. You will provide sound and comprehensive safety and security support, advice and guidance to the Christian Aid Ukraine Crisis programme team, including for travel planning, and guidance in the event of immediate threats to staff safety. You will also be responsible for managing security and logistics processes and procedures, ensuring Christian Aid safety and security standards are met in Ukraine, and ensuring safe operations in Ukraine; minimising risks to staff and partner organisations, while enabling effective implementation of humanitarian activities.

Key outcomes

• Coordinates access and security requirements with Ukraine Programme Manager.
• Supports staff and partner organisations in Ukraine in understanding and complying with Christian Aid safety and security policies.
• Oversees access and security related responsibilities of all Christian Aid staff in Ukraine.
• Continuously assesses threats in large-scale and high-risk conflict environment, conducts risk assessments for existing and new projects and activities, including mitigation plans and strategies for enabling Christian Aid operations in Ukraine.
• Supports the identification and management of safe and secure transport and accommodation for Christian Aid staff travelling to and staying in Ukraine.
• Responsible for security briefings and information-sharing sessions for Christian Aid staff, directly managing phases of travel: trip preparation, understanding risks, entry and travel around Ukraine, and exiting safely.
• Responsible for comprehensive procedures concerning Christian Aid staff movement in Ukraine, with verification of situation along access routes
• Conducts specific access and security assessments as per Christian Aid’s needs, i.e. area assessment, road assessment and local partner analysis.
• Identifies, stocks and maintains supplies relevant for safety and security in Ukraine as identified in contingency plans, including in offices and emergency shelters in Ukraine.
• Manages inventory of all Christian Aid safety and security related equipment/materials for Ukraine.
• Maintains information network to gather and provide security information corroborated by trusted sources, and provides early warnings and advice on relevant course of action for staff in Ukraine.
• Provides security flash alerts for Christian Aid’s staff.
• Oversees workable relations with local authorities and other key actors shaping the security environment.
• Serves as the externally facing focal point for all safety and security related issues for Christian Aid’s Ukraine Crisis response, including, but not limited to:
  • Provide ‘live’ assistance, advice and guidance during security incidents and emergencies involving Christian Aid staff (including in the case of evacuations).
  • Following staff security incidents, maintain relevant documentation.
  • Attend relevant NGO security meetings, working groups, and forums in Ukraine (i-person or online), summarising relevant points for Ukraine Programme Manager.
  • Develop local network of contacts, including but not limited to: law enforcement, military, INGO security focal points, local security contractors.

Applied skills/knowledge and expertise

Essential

• Previous experience working in the humanitarian sector and insecure environments
• Experience with security / access aspects of INGOs operations
• Programme or logistics background or experience preferred
• A reliable, proactive, and problem-solving approach to security risk management
• Leadership skills and ability to make and communicate quick decisions
• Ability to be assertive
• Ability to analyse (using judgment and assessing practicality) and synthesise information
• Well-organised with ability to meet deadlines
• Outstanding skills in listening, negotiating and communicating
• Calm and composed in the event of an emergency
• Ability to work under stress in general, and in emergency situations in particular
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly in English

Desirable

• Ability to speak Ukrainian
• Ability to understand Russian