Security & Safety Liason Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Anticipated start Date
1 September 2018

Location
Damauturu, Yobe

SCOPE OF WORK
Job Overview/Summary

Under the technical supervision of Safety and Security Coordinator, and direct supervision of the Base Manager, the Safety & Security Officer will assist in building up the capacity, awareness and preparedness of staff to deal with security-related risks, threats and incidents through the delivery of high quality, regular trainings or briefings to national and international staff and IRC visitors within the area of responsibility. The SSO will maintain a high level of contextual awareness of his/her operating area and strong coordination with Program and Operations support teams at the Field level. He/she will form a wide web of network to sources to proactively collate and source for relevant security information.   The SSO will support in conducting collaborative security risk assessments with all field based program staff in line with the standard IRC security management structures.   The SSO will support Base Office Managers in enforcement and implementation of existing SOPs and other risk mitigation plans guided by the acceptance, protection and deterrence strategies.

The SSO will act as a liaison link between IRC and other external security functionaries within the areas of responsibility, represent IRC in security forums as directed by supervisor to objectively ensure that the operations and program needs of IRC are well addressed.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Continuously monitoring the environment in the operational areas for which he/she is responsible.  As required, and at a minimum of once per quarter, support Safety and Security Coordinator in updating the FSMPs, CIMP and SOPs.
• Ensure that the Field or Base Offices FSMP and associated documents are kept up to date and reviewed regularly, and staff constantly kept aware of their contents.
• Brief, supervise and liaise on daily basis with the contracted guards to ensure the guard force is aware of IRC SOPs and are effectively enforcing the required regulations.
• Accompany program staff on field missions on as need basis in order to better develop an awareness of the challenges faced by IRC staff in the field
• Liaise with government, Army, Police, SSS, Local Heads and other key external stakeholders to ensure that IRC staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.
• Regularly coordinate with peer organization safety staff/focal points to get the current contextual information.
• Ensure that Hibernation, Relocation and Evacuation plans are updated for the area of responsibility with the support of Safety and Security Coordinator.
• Using standard trainings developed by SSC, conduct regular refresher trainings to IRC staff on personal safety, VHF communication, fire prevention, defensive driving among others.
• Prepare weekly reports for the Field offices and update data on available incident data tools.
• Submitting when required voice, email or SMS immediate advisories to Field staff when significant security incidents occur. This will include updating and testing on a bi-weekly basis the IRC SMS warden system.
• Submit formal post incident reports to the Base Managers, Field Coordinator and Safety and Security Coordinator.
• Support the Base Managers and Field Coordinator in investigating any internal incident that might have impact of IRC operations
• Regularly assess IRC field premises to ensure that the exiting physical security mitigation structures are well maintained and initiate any relevant repairs or upgrades. Prepare building assessment reports and submit to Supervisor.
• Work closely with the Base Mangers, to ensure that Security Focal Group (SFG) meeting are held and minutes submitted to SSC as required.
• During a critical incident at he/she will support the Base Managers in critical incident management giving all the required support as outlined in the CIMP.
• The SSO will be available 24/7 to respond to any staff concerns or incidents that might require urgent attention.
• Track and monitor IRC staff movement within the areas of responsibility and report any movement breaches to SSC.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Hold high-quality meetings with supervisor on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of existing staff in the department.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis
Continuously using different established sources such as UNDSS, INSO and other independent sources, collate or research security information, produce objective analysis which can be used to make informed decision to the security management plan.

Coordination & Representation

• Attend any local stakeholder’s coordination meetings/forums within Maiduguri, Monguno or Gwoza or any other meeting as might be directed by the supervisor.
• Liaise with government, Military, Police, DSSS, Local Heads and other key external stakeholders to ensure that IRC staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to:  Base Manager

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Safety & Security Coordinator

Position directly Supervises: N/A

Key Internal Contacts:

Country Program:  FC, Base Managers, Program Managers

Region/Global: None
Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree Security Management/Disaster Management/Military Science/International relations /Public Administration or a field related to humanitarian work or risk management.
• Computer skills (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and internet)
• Professional training and certification with recognized Security bodies will be considered.

Work Experience:

• 1-2 years of relevant work experience in preferably in an INGO or UN set up operating in the Northeast or other hostile areas as a security focal person or in a similar role of security management.
• In-depth knowledge or work experience in conflict or post-conflict and/or complex emergency environment.
• Previous service or work experience with the Nigerian Disciplined Forces will be a desired advantage. Certificate of discharge will be required as proof.  

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Security Risk Assessment in INGO hostile environment set up.
• Competency in using and maintaining field-based communications systems (HF, VHF radios and Satellite phones).
• Security incident analysis and report writing skills.
• Good communication (verbal and writing) and interpersonal relationships development skills.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in security management, advisory, analysis and capacity building role in an international organization setting.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in fast-paced team environments and to be available 24/7 whenever a security incident occurs.
• Training and facilitation skill using different training media.
• Ability to develop Security Plans and SOPs
• Languages:  English, Local language in the northeast of Nigeria

Computer/Other Tech Requirements

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use mapping software or applications.

Ability to Travel: Regularly to IRC sites in  Damaturu, Gujba and any other locations.

Standards of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Benefits
Monthly salary, 13Month Salary Inclusive, Health Insurance Coverage for Family, Pension, Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.