Senior Security Officer at The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is” to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Secretariat has five regional office, as follows: Americas (Panama City); Africa (Nairobi); Asia/Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); Middle East and North Africa (Beirut). This position is to support the Head of Country Cluster Support Team (CCST) Abuja, also referred to as West Coast cluster, in the coordination of security risk management across its area of responsibility (Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and Liberia), to enable business operations whilst protecting all IFRC personnel, assets, and operations.

Job Purpose

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network.  The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.  Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  The overall aim of the IFRC is” to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world.  The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies.  The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners.  The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Secretariat has five regional office, as follows: Americas (Panama City); Africa (Nairobi); Asia/Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); Middle East and North Africa (Beirut).

This position is to support the Head of Country Cluster Support Team (CCST) Abuja, also referred to as West Coast cluster, in the coordination of security risk management across its area of responsibility (Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and Liberia), to enable business operations whilst protecting all IFRC personnel, assets, and operations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Analysis and Planning

• Carry out security risk assessments, including field security assessments.
• Support in the development of risk management measures.
• Carry out geo-political and socio-economic analysis for the Head of Cluster.
• Support IFRC business continuity planning during major events (e.g. national elections).

Incident and Emergency Response

• Respond 24/7 to IFRC or RCRC-related security incidents/emergencies/crises to safeguard personnel, assets, and operations.
• Ensure any internal/external security related-incident or emergency is immediately and adequately reported to the Head of Cluster/ Security Coordinator/Security Unit/Regional Director.
• Evaluate and record IFRC security incidents and identify incident/threat/risk patters or trends.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Compliance

• Monitor and evaluate IFRC’s Minimum Security Requirement (MSR) compliance in the West Coast cluster and support the Head of Country Cluster in the development of MSRs.                                                                                
• Monitor and evaluate compliance with mandatory IFRC safety & security trainings (e.g. e-learning programs).

Training and Development

• Brief IFRC and other RCRC personnel or visitors/guests in matters of security risk management, including but not limited to arrival briefings, event briefings, special mission briefings, and VIP briefings.
• Conduct emergency drills, including but not limited to building evacuations.
• Support in the provision of security and safety trainings to IFRC or other RCRC personnel.

Liaison and Coordination              

• Liaise and coordinate with local RC societies and other RCRC national societies in matters of security risk management in West Coast sub-region.
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant security bodies in the ICRC, United Nations, and international NGOs in West Coast sub-region.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities, e.g. military, police, and intelligence agencies, in West Coast sub-region.

Administration

• Supervise and ensure that contracted guard force undertakes its duties as per requirements on a 24/7 basis.
• Liaise and coordinate with contract guards force provider to ensure full compliance as per established service provider contract.

Train security guards in relation to IFRC post orders, standard operating procedures, and emergency procedures.

Education

• A relevant University Degree e.g. BA, BSc, LLB
• Successfully completed the Stay Safe e-learning courses (basic and managers)

Experience
Knowledge, skills and languages

• Working experience in a humanitarian organisation
• First-hand experience with IFRC security management system
• Humanitarian security management experience of not less than 5 years
• Leadership and staff training experience.

Competencies and values

• Good communication skills
• Good analytical skills in political, socio-economics and security areas
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Good stress management skills
• Self-supporting in computers [Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.]
• Valid driving license (light vehicles)
• Fluently spoken and written English is required
• Knowledge of another IFRC official language (French, or Arabic) is preferred
• Other languages; preferably other local languages is preferred

Comments

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager
• The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.