
The purpose of NRC’s Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) function is to enable a principled humanitarian
response in a safe manner, for the communities and partners we work with and our staff. Despite NRC’s success
in delivering assistance to those in need, security and access constraints remain significant challenges. Obstacles
such as conflict and violence, environmental and physical challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, and interference in
humanitarian operations, hinder the delivery of services and protect
The Humanitarian Access and Safety (HAS) Officer provides a range of support in humanitarian access, safety, and security within the area. Under the supervision of the HAS Coordinator, the HAS Officer supports the implementation and monitoring of the NRC's HAS Policy, plans, procedures, trackers, and processes in the North East Area Office and related Field Office in Shostka, Sumska Oblast. This role requires frequent presence in the field supporting the safe and principled delivery of programmes and the Duty of Care for NRC staff.
Generic Responsibilities
1. Support the implementation of the NRC Global HAS Management System at area level, prepare reports as
required, and execute area/field office-focused elements of the HAS Operational Plan.
2. Contribute to a culture of enabling a safe and principled humanitarian response and support the
implementation of Safe and Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards.
3. Support the development of area/field-level HAS documents, including contingency plans, access strategies
and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in line with organisational standards.
4. Assist the HAS Manager/Coordinator with Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and access assessments, including
Rapid SRAs for new operational locations, collaborating with management to identify and implement
relevant mitigation measures and support safe programming.
5. Conduct drills and train staff in access, safety, and security topics and provide regular briefings.
6. In coordination with the HAS Manager and the line manager, liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities,
and other external actors to share and obtain security information to inform operations and security
management as well as increase humanitarian access and protect humanitarian space at the area level with
the preparation of further report to HAS Coordinator.
7. Ensure adherence to NRC policies, guidance, and procedures, and a specific responsibility for HAS policies
and procedures.
8. Conduct physical verifications of all HAS related equipment.
9. Prepare reports as required.
Specific Responsibilities
• Prepare and facilitate HAS induction sessions for new area/field office staff, as well as briefings and
debriefings with colleagues or visitors sharing relevant information about activity locations, emphasising
practical safety and security risks prevention and mitigation measures and reporting mechanisms.
• Keep up to date all necessary information for HAS documents including Safe Mission Planning (SMP),
Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), Hibernation, Relocation, and Evacuation Plan (HREP), and Medical
Evacuation Plan (MEDEVAC).
• Conduct site assessments for all new rental premises and provide any safety and security measures to be
addressed prior to use. Follow up on the implementation of identified measures for these infrastructures.
• Ensure vehicle and staff movements are monitored according to procedures and that necessary safety and
security equipment within each vehicle is available and in good condition.
• Accompany colleagues and/or visitors regularly to the field to identify, plan and implement HAS procedures,
enrich security risk assessments, and support in obtaining and maintaining humanitarian access.
• Request or generate user creation for new area personnel in the online travel authorisation request system.
Verify and approve travel requests for activities and visits within the area.
• Keep the area personnel communication tree updated, conduct test activations and assist in headcount
procedures.
• Ensure necessary training for the correct use of alternative communication system devices, in coordination
with Support teams.
• After certification, facilitate the planning and execution of the Hostile Environment Individual Security
Training (HEIST), Field First Aid, and fire safety training periodically for Area staff, maintaining the
corresponding training tracker.
• Promote and facilitate the proper reporting, documentation, and support the management of HAS incidents
in the area/field office.
• Facilitate staff hibernation or relocation in emergency situations.
• Promote Safeguarding principles and commitments within NRC and amongst communities served by NRC.
• Perform any other tasks related to HAS and the position as delegated by the line manager.
Generic Professional Competencies
• Minimum two years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development operations.
• Foundational understanding of Humanitarian Principles and their application in programmatic and
advocacy responses, NGO safety and risk management, and humanitarian access.
• Previous experience working in complex contexts.
• Proficient in MS Office applications including Word and Excel.
• Working proficiency in English language, both written and verbal.
Context related skills, knowledge and experience
• Experience in liaising with communities and authorities as well as with NGOs.
• Working proficiency and/or conversational English is an added value.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.
We protect displaced people and support them as they build a new future. We started our relief efforts after World War Two. Today, we work in both new and protracted crises across 40 countries. We specialise in six areas: food security, education, shelter, legal assistance, protection from violence, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
We stand up for people forced to flee. NRC is a determined advocate for displaced people. We promote and defend displaced people's rights and dignity in local communities, with national governments and in the international arena. NRC’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva is a global leader in monitoring, reporting on and advocating for people displaced within their own country.
We work with partners across the world through NORCAP, our global provider of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding expertise. NORCAP collaborates with local, national and international partners on finding sustainable solutions to meet the needs of people at risk.
Around 15,000 humanitarians work with the NRC. Most of us are hired locally to work in the field, and a small number are based at our head office in Oslo. Many of our colleagues were once themselves forced to flee their homes.
NRC assisted almost 9.1 million people worldwide in 2024, and with your support, we can help even more.
In order to meet the needs of more than 120 million displaced people worldwide, we need to unite forces across sectors and work together as one team. Through mutual partnerships we are dedicated to finding unique solutions for people who have been forced to flee, helping them build a sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
To find out how you can support our work, please visit nrc.no/corporate or send an e-mail to corporate@nrc.no.