Safety Manager (Deputy Head of Safety)

About the Position

Safety Manager (Deputy Head of Safety) (re-advertisement)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations. DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently employing over 800 staff in Ukraine and implementing emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors.

DRC is currently looking for a Safety Manager (Deputy Head of Safety) to join our team in Kyiv.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Head of Safety supports the Head of Safety in ensuring the effective implementation of DRC’s Safety Risk Management System (SRMS), including adherence to the Global Safety Policy, the identification of known and emerging risks, and the development and application of appropriate mitigation measures, mechanisms, and procedures.

• Manage the Operations Room (OPS Room) on a daily basis, ensuring that alerts are disseminated in a timely manner, staff movements are tracked, and systems are calibrated in line with evolving and emerging threats.
• Ensure operational safety oversight for the Country Office in Kyiv.
• Provide day-to-day technical support and guidance to Area Safety Focal Points.
• Contribute to contextual and security analysis to inform operational decision-making.
• Ensure that the Safety SharePoint folder is consistently updated with the latest documentation and support the Head of Safety with revisions and updates as required.
• Design and deliver high-quality security trainings in both Ukrainian and English languages, reaching a maximum number of national and international staff.
• Develop and facilitate workshops for Security Focal Points, Heads of Department, Area Managers, and other key staff.
• Ensure all new staff receive a pre-arrival security briefing and a comprehensive country briefing upon arrival.
• Act as Head of Safety in the absence of the Head of Safety and support the Country Director (CD) and Senior Management Team (SMT) in safety-related decision-making.
• Coordinate with HQ Crisis Management Team (CMT) when required, and participate in Incident Management Teams (IMT) as necessary.

Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a security-related field in a management position with at least 3 years as Security Manager/Advisor for an NGO in a high-risk context.
• Proven experience in context/security analysis and advising humanitarian personnel.
• Experience in developing and updating Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs), contingency plans, and other risk assessment and management documents and tools.
• Proven experience in incident/crisis management.
• Experience in conducting safety training for international and national staff, and experience of capacity building.
• Ability to provide conflict analysis (written).
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Computer literate, able to use all common software packages.
• Capacity building and mentorship of technical security skills to colleagues, particularly safety staff.
• Be able to encourage, motivate, and guide team members to approach safety and security issues with confidence especially during crises.
• Be flexible to travel at short notice to difficult and risky areas.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Fluent English required.

Desirable

• Master's degree in a relevant subject preferred but not required.

We Offer

• Contract length: 12 months with the possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funding after successful completion of a 3-month probationary period.
• Band: F1 – managerial.
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv.
• Start date: ASAP.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts; please refer to our website for more details.

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 16th June 2026

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select a candidate before the vacancy close date once a suitable candidate has been identified.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.