Security Liaison Officer at Medecins Du Monde

Under the supervision of General Coordinator, the Liaison Officer in Maiduguri will be responsible to develop and follow up a context analysis mechanism, to adapt and implement a safety framework, to set up and maintain a network of relations with authorities, other NGOs and field-level focal points to proceed for assessment of new areas of intervention, request of access authorizations, to report and to anticipate security-related events, in accordance to national and MdM internal procedures, under a confidentiality based approach.

I. ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION:

Security management

• Identify a contact list (from authority, security entities, community leaders, HF staff, district
• office staff, local council ...etc.) that can be used in case of the team having problem in the field/check points, to ensure safe access to implement MDM medical activities.
• Assess on a daily basis the security context. Global and Local.
• Analyze and report the security and contextual data using MDM validated tools.
• To support and monitor the implementation of the security pack in all operational bases
• Validate staff movements when needed.
• Ensure proper update and delivery of constant companion cards for key staffs
• Conduct on-going security risk and threats assessment
• monitor a mechanisms of security alerts to all key staff
• Brief incoming national personnel and ensure personnel are kept up to date on changing
• security conditions.
• Maintain and analyse an incident reporting system.
• Advise on technical protection and communications matters, such as site selection and
• protection, as well as the functioning and good use of communications equipment
• Be involved in incident response and crisis management and subsequent reviews and
• evaluations in collaboration with the Log Coordinator.
• Brief expatriates or any new external visitor about the national context
• Brief expatriates or any new external visitor about cultural and social customs
• Oversee adherence to procedures and plans.
• Liaison with Authorities and Humanitarian Actors
• Develop, maintain and establish an effective communication and good relationship with authorities and other humanitarian actors in order to proceed for: Facilitating visits of MDM staff with
• authorities, and obtaining access authorization for current and potential intervention areas
• Keep informed the General Coordinator of any information concerning changes in the
• procedures and/or the legal context frame.
• Participate in any scheduled technical and coordination meetings when needed
• To be the main interlocutor with security forces in the country
• Liaise with and exchange information with other aid organisations and with the authorities.
• To represent MDM values as secular, independent association whose commitment is to support
• sustainable improvement of health policies.

Assessment:

• To develop SOP, validation procedures and briefing prior to fieldtrips to new and/or sensitive areas
• Develop and update a focal points database for info collection on permanent basis.
• During identification of MDM new locations of interventions, liaison officer should collect
• information about the possible places from the different networks (i.e. Authority, community leaders,
• MAG, other relevant actors) and gather needed information about the location safety, access, and other
• relevant actors on the screen.
• To get verification of safe access by communication with key people (to be identified in each
• targeted location) before each field visit.
• During fieldtrips, to coordinate the convoy, represent MDM in check points, and to introduce
• the objective of the assessment, importance, and methodology if needed.
• Request to medical team any information/issues/concerns that might affect the team safety or
• MDM acceptance in the area of intervention (i.e. if they face/feel community resistance for family
• planning, vaccination, handling GBV case… etc.

Project implementation:

• Liaison officer is the person in charge to answer authority on non-technical questions, (example
• in check points)
• He is in charge to introduce MDM team to people and to explain about MDM, presence,
• activities. etc.
• Identify possible places for team hibernation in the field and advise on adaptation of security
• pack based on new needs and context factors.
• Identify relevant actors in the area and get involved in the actors mapping, including analysis of
• relationships and dynamics between different actors and impact on MDM intervention.

II. OTHERS:

• Be flexible in performing his duties
• Inform immediately the General Coordinator in case of any security problem
• Realize a weekly and monthly activities report to submit to the General coordinator
• Participate in a pro-active way in MdM internal meetings (general, admin, security…)
• Ensure the translation of documents when needed.
• Perform other additional duties on request of the General Coordinator and country team coordinator

III. Essential Qualification:

• University degree in social sciences or other related field
• Very good research and analytical skills
• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports, make presentations
• Full command in writing, reading and speaking of English and Hausa
• Proven experience of working effectively in complex security environments
• Experienced and knowledgeable in security/safety-related subjects, threat/risk assessment,
• strong representation and negotiating skills, security management, networking and personal and
• organizational security awareness
• Be proactive in improving skills by keeping up to date with new / latest development in safety
• and security operations procedures