Security Officer at Mercy Corps

Location: Gombe
Reports Directly to: Director of Humanitarian Programs and Country Security Focal Point
Works Directly with: Finance, Program and Operation Teams.
Supervisory Responsibility: None

Program/Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on women’s empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the north east of Nigeria and causing displacement of over a million individual, Mercy Corps is addressing the rising humanitarian needs among displaced households and vulnerable host communities through program interventions in the Northeast. With current funding from OFDA, FFP, CERF and ECHO and ongoing opportunities from other donors, all Mercy Corps interventions in the Northeast are implemented with plans for scale-up.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Gombe is to support economic opportunities, food security and protection among conflict-affected populations, and to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian agencies and the quality of information gathering in Nigeria. The current funding opportunity’s goal in Adamawa is to provide a package of relief interventions designed to help conflict affected communities in central Adamawa meet their basic needs in livelihoods restoration, water and sanitation and protection. Expansion into other affected states is also planned for the humanitarian response team.

General Position Summary

• The Security Officer will focus on the protection and well-being of Mercy Corps International and National personnel who work under circumstances that are frequently difficult, dangerous and sometimes life-threatening as well as ensure all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard Mercy Corps’ assets and operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop, disseminate and regularly update written Security Plan and tools (this includes information pertinent to the area of operations such as detailed threat assessment, standard operating procedures (personnel movement & transport, office, warehouse, landmines and UXO, telecommunications, incident report sheets, etc.), asset protection, contingency plans for incidents, emergency evacuations policy, etc.).
• On-going monitoring of the political, social, economic and military situation, identifying trends relevant to the security situation.
• Lead safety and security assessments.
• Coordinate with other team members to ensure staff knows how to identify health risks, how to protect against illness, injury and stress, and how to obtain proper support or medical treatment.
• Ensure that all individuals understand personal responsibilities for their own safety.
• Ensure operational plans and budgets reflect responsibilities for staff management, training, support, security and well-being.
• Advise on technical areas of operation (i.e., Finance Manager on cash withdrawal/ deposit and payroll procedures; Transport/Fleet manager on seat belt policy, defensive driving, etc.)
• Represent Mercy Corps and coordinate amongst all actors (state, military, UN, NGO, etc.) on all matters pertaining to safety and security. Share security-related information with other members of the humanitarian community.
• Set clear standards for security and develop an individual and collective sense of security and safety awareness and responsibility.
• Create a positive security profile and ensure that security planning becomes an integral part of day-to-day operations.
• Monitor that all staff follow appropriate security and safety precautions and procedures and never risk their lives to protect Mercy Corps property. Clearly articulate consequences of not doing so.
• Coordinate staff briefing and appropriate training in safety and security procedures.
• Organize regular security meetings and provide an opportunity for team members to voice security-related concerns.
• Record and report immediately all significant threats to staff and security, and all security and safety incidents to national and regional offices.
• Work with staff to ensure appropriate steps are taken to safeguard office premises, equipment and residential property.
• Advise on site selection for office building/ logistical/ residential accommodation.
• Assist in developing guidelines for staff when travelling.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous security training or experience is required. He/she should have received UN, or similar formal security training.
• Advanced University Degree from an accredited educational institution in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations, conflict studies, international law with a focus on security and risk management;
• Additional technical certification in relation to security and risk management such as security management, close protection, counter-terrorism, intelligence management, hostage management, operational planning and investigation, crisis management and emergency or disaster planning;
• Senior Staff College (military or police) training;
• Proven report writing abilities are essential for this post.
• Computer skills are essential especially MS Word and Power Point.
• Additional management, programme and project management qualifications are a plus.
• Fluency in English and Hausa is required.

Success Factors

• He/she should be fully conversant with all aspects of security procedures and general safety and safe practice in the work place.
• He/she must have and exercise strong training and communication skills in a multi-cultured work environment.
• He/she must possess excellent leadership and organizational skills and have a flexible and analytical approach to problem solving.
• He/she must have the ability to troubleshoot bureaucratic hurdles and problem solving so as to facilitate program activities throughout the country.
• Must be diplomatic and follow protocols on representation and reporting. Must be able to work independently and show initiative. Good organizational skills are necessary.

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Location: Gombe
Reports Directly to: Director of Humanitarian Programs and Country Security Focal Point
Works Directly with: Finance, Program and Operation Teams.
Supervisory Responsibility: None

Program/Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on women’s empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the north east of Nigeria and causing displacement of over a million individual, Mercy Corps is addressing the rising humanitarian needs among displaced households and vulnerable host communities through program interventions in the Northeast. With current funding from OFDA, FFP, CERF and ECHO and ongoing opportunities from other donors, all Mercy Corps interventions in the Northeast are implemented with plans for scale-up.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Gombe is to support economic opportunities, food security and protection among conflict-affected populations, and to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian agencies and the quality of information gathering in Nigeria. The current funding opportunity’s goal in Adamawa is to provide a package of relief interventions designed to help conflict affected communities in central Adamawa meet their basic needs in livelihoods restoration, water and sanitation and protection. Expansion into other affected states is also planned for the humanitarian response team.

General Position Summary

• The Security Officer will focus on the protection and well-being of Mercy Corps International and National personnel who work under circumstances that are frequently difficult, dangerous and sometimes life-threatening as well as ensure all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard Mercy Corps’ assets and operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop, disseminate and regularly update written Security Plan and tools (this includes information pertinent to the area of operations such as detailed threat assessment, standard operating procedures (personnel movement & transport, office, warehouse, landmines and UXO, telecommunications, incident report sheets, etc.), asset protection, contingency plans for incidents, emergency evacuations policy, etc.).
• On-going monitoring of the political, social, economic and military situation, identifying trends relevant to the security situation.
• Lead safety and security assessments.
• Coordinate with other team members to ensure staff knows how to identify health risks, how to protect against illness, injury and stress, and how to obtain proper support or medical treatment.
• Ensure that all individuals understand personal responsibilities for their own safety.
• Ensure operational plans and budgets reflect responsibilities for staff management, training, support, security and well-being.
• Advise on technical areas of operation (i.e., Finance Manager on cash withdrawal/ deposit and payroll procedures; Transport/Fleet manager on seat belt policy, defensive driving, etc.)
• Represent Mercy Corps and coordinate amongst all actors (state, military, UN, NGO, etc.) on all matters pertaining to safety and security. Share security-related information with other members of the humanitarian community.
• Set clear standards for security and develop an individual and collective sense of security and safety awareness and responsibility.
• Create a positive security profile and ensure that security planning becomes an integral part of day-to-day operations.
• Monitor that all staff follow appropriate security and safety precautions and procedures and never risk their lives to protect Mercy Corps property. Clearly articulate consequences of not doing so.
• Coordinate staff briefing and appropriate training in safety and security procedures.
• Organize regular security meetings and provide an opportunity for team members to voice security-related concerns.
• Record and report immediately all significant threats to staff and security, and all security and safety incidents to national and regional offices.
• Work with staff to ensure appropriate steps are taken to safeguard office premises, equipment and residential property.
• Advise on site selection for office building/ logistical/ residential accommodation.
• Assist in developing guidelines for staff when travelling.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous security training or experience is required. He/she should have received UN, or similar formal security training.
• Advanced University Degree from an accredited educational institution in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations, conflict studies, international law with a focus on security and risk management;
• Additional technical certification in relation to security and risk management such as security management, close protection, counter-terrorism, intelligence management, hostage management, operational planning and investigation, crisis management and emergency or disaster planning;
• Senior Staff College (military or police) training;
• Proven report writing abilities are essential for this post.
• Computer skills are essential especially MS Word and Power Point.
• Additional management, programme and project management qualifications are a plus.
• Fluency in English and Hausa is required.

Success Factors

• He/she should be fully conversant with all aspects of security procedures and general safety and safe practice in the work place.
• He/she must have and exercise strong training and communication skills in a multi-cultured work environment.
• He/she must possess excellent leadership and organizational skills and have a flexible and analytical approach to problem solving.
• He/she must have the ability to troubleshoot bureaucratic hurdles and problem solving so as to facilitate program activities throughout the country.
• Must be diplomatic and follow protocols on representation and reporting. Must be able to work independently and show initiative. Good organizational skills are necessary.