Leading specialist in general security issues - Odesa - 865057 / Security & Political Adviser - Odesa - 865057 in International Committee of the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC is mandated to work in countries affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. The ICRC is present in over 100 countries and has some 18,000 staff worldwide. In 2014, the ICRC expanded its presence in Ukraine. Over 900 team members working across the county in various professional fields.

About the job 

The ICRC Security & Crises Management Support (SCMS) Unit is seeking a highly capable Security and Political Adviser to join our team in Odesa. In close cooperation with the team members and line managers, the Security & Political Adviser advises the sub-delegation management on potential risks to the ICRC and supports the management in ensuring the proper functioning of the sub-delegation (SD) security management system. S/he advises the sub-delegation on political developments and changes in the overall environment, conflict, and security dynamics in the assigned area of responsibility (AoR). In addition, the Security & Political Adviser identifies, maintains, and broadens high-level relations with key regional stakeholders and facilitates the management’s access to a vast network of contacts.

Start date: February 2026 

Your Tasks and Responsibilities

• Support the management in ensuring the proper functioning of its security management system and contribute to the implementation of ICRC Minimum Security Requirements
• Contribute to monitoring and analysis of the security environment in Odesa area and the elaboration/monitoring of critical documents and processes 
• Ensure the effective implementation of security and safety procedures and the monitoring of security-related events within the wider Odesa area
• Ensure and oversee the implementation of specific security and safety risk mitigating measures, including for ICRC premises and during work-related movements
• Provide support to staff on security-related matters and help raise staff context awareness through security and safety awareness sessions 
• Perform security and context briefings for newcomers and visitors, drills, and training for staff
• Advise management on political, security, social and cultural context
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen a relevant network of interlocutors in the Odesa area
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of other humanitarian organizations’ activities
• Present the ICRC principles, mandate, and activities to interlocutors and beneficiaries 

What we offer you

• A great team to work with and an organization where you have an impact
• Employment contract according to Ukrainian labor law with flexible working arrangements 
• Competitive salary between UAH 78,000 and 114,000 (gross) before taxation
• Medical insurance foryou and your depending family members
• Comprehensive onboarding and learning opportunities
• 20 working days of annual paid leave
• Convenient office location in the city center

The ICRC is an equal opportunity employer that prioritizes staff safety and security. 

 We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our workforce and encourage qualified female and male candidates of all backgrounds, including candidates with disabilities to apply for the position. We also value our employees' professional growth and offer a supportive and inclusive work environment. For more information, visit the website http://www.icrc.org/.

About you

To be successful as a Security & Political Adviser in the SCMS Unit, you should possess the following qualifications and experiences and have the following characteristics:  

• Ukrainian citizenship or permanent residence permit in Ukraine
• University degree
• Accreditation in risk or crisis management is highly desirable
• Typically, 6-9 years of experience in security/safety management or a related field
• Experience in the humanitarian sector is an advantage
• Strong background in security/safety management is preferred
• Crisis management experience is an asset
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian, and Russian (both written and spoken)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• In-depth knowledge of the geographical area of operations (Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson oblasts) and its political landscape
• Proven expertise in risk management and familiarity with risk management methodologies
• Self-motivated with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn
• Ability to work independently, as well as effectively under supervision
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to work within a diverse team and establish and maintain good working relations in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary environment

Interested? Yes? THEN APPLY!

Please submit your English CV, along with your motivation letter and salary expectations, to the attention of the ICRC People and Culture Team. Please label your CV with your first and last names (First Name LAST NAME). In addition, please complete the compulsory ICRC questionnaire. The questionnaire is available through the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/APw3dvQMHJ. (Click onthe link or copy the link into your internet browser.)

Your application will be considered only once you have completed the ICRC questionnaire and uploaded your English CV.

Application deadline: 28 December 2025

Only candidates meeting the above-mentioned criteria will be contacted to move forward in the recruitment process. The ICRC reserves the right to re-issue the vacancy, cancel the recruitment process, offer a position at a lower grade, with an adjusted job description or different duration, or to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the deadline.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organization with an exclusively humanitarian mission: to protect the lives and dignity of people affected from armed conflicts and other situations of violence, and provide assistance to them. The ICRC is authorized to work in countries affected by armed conflicts or similar situations. The organization is represented in more than 100 countries of the world and has about 18,000 employees. In 2014, the ICRC expanded its presence in Ukraine. Today, more than 900 employees work in different cities of the country in various professional fields.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Security and Crisis Management Unit of the ICRC is looking for a highly qualified security and policy advisor to work in our team in Odessa. Working closely with team members and line managers, the Security and Policy Advisor advises sub-delegation management on potential risks to the ICRC and supports management in ensuring the proper functioning of the sub-delegation's security management system. He/she advises the subdelegation on political events and changes in the general situation, conflicts and security dynamics in the designated area of ​​responsibility. In addition, the Security and Policy Advisor establishes, maintains and develops high-level relationships with key regional stakeholders and facilitates management's access to a broad network of contacts.

Start date: February 2026 or as soon as possible

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Support management in ensure the proper functioning of the security management system and promote the implementation of the minimum security requirements of the ICRC
• Contribute to the monitoring and analysis of the security situation in the Odesa region and the development/monitoring of important documents and processes
• Ensure the effective implementation of security and protection procedures, as well as the monitoring of security-related events in the Odesa region
• Ensure and control the implementation of specific measures to reduce security and security risks, in particular for ICRC premises and during business trips.
• Provide support to security staff and promote staff awareness of the situation at the event venue by conducting security and security seminars. 
• Conduct briefings on security issues and the situation at the event venue for new villagespart-time employees and visitors, education and training for staff.
• Provide advice to management on the political, social and cultural situation, as well as the security situation.
• Develop, support and strengthen the relevant network of partners in the Odesa region.
• Keep abreast of the activities of other humanitarian organizations.
• Present the principles, mandate and activities of the ICRC to partners and beneficiaries. 

ICRC is an equal opportunity employer with a strong focus on staff safety and an inclusive environment for all employees 

We encourage all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, health or background to apply for the position. 

The ICRC also supports the professional development of employees and provides a supportive and inclusive work environment.

More details: http://www.icrc.org/.

Candidate Requirements

To be successful in this position, you must meet the following criteria:  

• Citizenship of Ukraine or permanent residence permit
• Higher education
• It is desirable to have accreditation in the field of risk management or crisis management
• Typically 6-9 years of experience in security/security management or a related field
• Experience in the humanitarian field is an advantage
• Experience in security/security management is preferred
• Experience in crisis management is an advantage
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian (as both written and verbal)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• In-depth knowledge of the geographical region of activity (Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions) and its political landscape
• Proven experience in the field of risk management and knowledge of risk management methodologies
• Self-motivation and dedication teamwork and humanitarian principles
• Flexibility, enthusiasm and willingness to learn
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively under supervision
• Ability to organize and prioritize between several tasks
• Ability to work in a diverse team and establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural environmenttour and multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to work effectively independently and under supervision
• Ability to effectively organize time and set priorities
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and build good working relationships

INTERESTED IN A JOB? Then apply!  SURNAME(First Name LAST NAME).

Also, be sure to fill out the ICRC questionnaire at the link: https://forms.office.com/e/APw3dvQMHJ. (Click on the link or copy it into your browser window.)

Your application will be considered onlyafter filling out the ICRC questionnaire and uploading an English resume.  

Application deadline: December 28, 2025

Only candidates who meet the above requirements will be invited to the next stage of selection. The ICRC reserves the right to re-announce the competition, cancel the selection process, offer a lower-level position, make changes to the job description or the duration of the contract, and close the vacancy early in the event that a suitable candidate is selected.