Safety and Access Coordinator

About LAW

LAW is an independent, non-profit organization comprised of human rights lawyers working in fragile and conflict affected areas in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, rule of law and accountability and transformative justice, working to bring justice to those who need it most. LAW’s ground-breaking work has received international media coverage, including the New York Times, BBC, Reuters, AP, the times of London, the Guardian, Al Jazeera, France24, Voice of America, Huffington Post and Foreign Policy.

LAW’s Rohingya Crisis Programme  

LAW’s ground-breaking Rohingya Crisis programme seeks to ensure meaningful Rohingya participation in the ongoing international justice processes seeking accountability for their persecution in Myanmar, including engagement with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar); the ongoing investigation by the Officer of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM). Additionally, LAW undertakes innovative strategic litigation on behalf of more than 300 Rohingya clients and ensures Rohingya voices are prioritized throughout its advocacy.  

A key aspect of the programme is LAW’s network of over 50 Rohingya Survivor Advocates, who are given ongoing training to provide legal information to the community about international justice mechanisms related to the Rohingya Crisis and provide support to individuals participating in international justice process in accessing services, especially to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In addition to empowering Rohingya women and girls, LAW works closely with male and Hijra (third gender, transgender, intersex) survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to ensure their access to justice.  

 

We are looking for well-networked and experienced Safety and Access Coordinator to work with the programme team and ensure that LAW’s security policies and procedures are responsive to the live context as well as to advise on local access processes and approaches. 

More about this position 

Where? The position will be based in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Some travel within the region may be required.  

Duration? This position is funded for 12 months on a full-time basis with the possibility of extension subject to funding. 

Salary: Competitive rates of salary apply.  

Role Overview and Responsibility:  

The Safety and Access Coordinator will support the Programme Manager to improve policies and procedures within a growing team, and to work on access and law enforcement coordination. The post holder will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below: 

 

Safety and Security 

  • Draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to risk mitigation and safety as requested;  
  • Work closely with the Bangladesh team to embed and ensure that the SOPs are implemented;  
  • Design and keep the security de-brief updated for staff and community volunteers in Bangladesh and providing security briefing to all guest staff and consultants;  
  • Delivering updates on the security threats, situation and movements on a on a weekly basis, and more regularly when a situation arises;  
  • Contribute to LAW’s security working group and to work with the Operations Director on global security policies and initiatives;  
  • Coordinate regional missions and accompany staff, facilitating transportation to and from meetings;  
  • Provide support on logistic and procurement including service providers as requested; 
  • Staying abreast of security and public health related alerts, and all risks relevant to LAW operations and engaging with relevant stakeholders as required; 
  • Design and implement risk assessments for security clearance; staff accommodation, office space; 
  • Design, organize and deliver trainings on first-aid, security, fire evacuation; conflict de-escalation, negotiation, and any other safety and security measures;  
  • Build networks and liaison with all relevant security agencies to ensure situational awareness;  
  • Liaise actively with relevant humanitarian actors, and act as a focal point across coordination groups to advice on impact of LAW’s programming on the remit of any organizations’ operations and vice-versa; 

Domestic Affairs 

  • Establish and maintain relations with all government officials relevant to LAW’s operations in Bangladesh; 
  • Coordinate and arrange meetings between relevant government officials and LAW management; and to represent LAW at meetings as and when required;   
  • Conduct risk assessment and advise on impact of LAW’s programming, including the research, reports and publications, on relations, and compliance;  
  • Liaise and coordinate with the humanitarian access focal points in Cox’s Bazar, and with relevant authorities to ensure staff and beneficiaries have uninterrupted access to LAW office;  
  • Monitoring evolving threats and generating and disseminating threat reports effectively;  
  • In consultation with the Programme Manager consult and share compliance information with relevant authorities as and when required;  
  • Any other duties as specified by the Programme Manager or LAW’s Senior Management Team. 

About you

  • Bangladeshi Nationals with the right to work only; 
  • Bachelor’s degree in social science, development studies or other relevant field. 
  • 4 years demonstrated experience within a humanitarian or development organisation working in a similar role, and within the Rohingya  Response Programme is preferred;  
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla, proficiency in Rohingya or the Chittagonian dialect would be preferred; 
  • Demonstrated experience of developing policies, SOP and security systems; 
  • Knowlege of procurement policies and logistics will be preferred;   
  • Track record of establishing and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders and actors; 
  • Advanced level of analytical skills, negotiation skills and critical thinking; 
  • Ability to manage teams to achieve goals in a complex working environment ; 
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence others;   
  • A high degree of flexibility and adaptability in order to respond to changing needs; 

 

How to apply

If you can embed security practices as well as adapt to changing needs of a growing programme we would like to hear from you. Please submit your CV and covering letter outlining how your previous experience and skills matching this role (neither exceeding 2 pages of A4) to: recruitment@legalactionworldwide.org. The heading of the application should read “Safety and Access Coordinator”.  

The deadline for applications is 3rd September 2023. 

At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately.  

 

To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org.