Safety & Security Officer at INTERSOS

Duty station Nigeria, Maiduguri, with frequent field missions in all those LGAs Intersos Nigeria has been active / will be active during the following months

Starting date 01/07/2018 (tbc)
Contract duration 6 months (tbc)
Reporting to Head of Mission and the Safety & Security Adviser
Supervision of No
Dependents No

2. Job description
A. General context of the project
General context of the project

Since 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency has crippled north eastern Nigeria. Borno State continues to be most affected, with over 1.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Recent advances by the Nigerian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force have improved humanitarian access in 22 of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno but have also revealed the extent of the crisis. In newly accessible areas, basic infrastructure has been destroyed, essential services are non-existent, and most local governance systems are not functional.
In support to the UN-led coordinated humanitarian response in the region, INTERSOS is implementing more than 6 projects addressing critical gaps in health and nutrition, WASH, food security, shelter, Camp Coordination and Camp Management and protection services for a highly vulnerable population in the newly accessible host communities in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ngala (Ngala-Gambaru), Bama (Banki), Dikwa (Dikwa), Magumeri (Magumeri), Mobbar (Damasak), Monguno (Monguno) Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State, Nigeria.
INTERSOS Security strategy is mostly based on acceptance. Acceptance is linked to its ability to inform and educate local stakeholders about its mission and programs, and to its negotiations for access to war/disaster affected populations.
The importance of analyzing context and conflict dynamics, cultivating relationships with multiple stakeholders, and understanding the perceptions of local populations it is therefore of paramount importance for INTERSOS missions.
Gaining acceptance among stakeholders is directly related to INTERSOS mission and positive stakeholder perceptions of the INTERSOS image.
This can be done using a combination of active and passive acceptance strategies.
Security for INTERSOS is not about high walls and Barbed wires. It is not about Armored vehicle and deterrence strategy. Security for INTERSOS means enabling access to affected areas in order to deliver humanitarian Aid sustainably and in Safety.

B. General purpose of the position, responsibilities and tasks

General purpose of the position

The Security Officer provides the country team with technical assistance, monitoring the compliance to INTERSOS risk management plan of all country’s dispersed operational offices. The position will concentrate on ensuring that structures and systems for safety and security management are in place and properly utilized. He/She will provide direction and technical support in developing and maintaining country programs’ context-specific field security plans.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Staff/Program and Premises Safety/Security:

• Secures INTERSOS premises and personnel and ensure monitoring surveillance equipment; inspecting office compound, equipment, and access points and entry gates;
• Ensure INTERSOS compound are safe and secure, fences and gates are strong enough and maintained to prevent unauthorized entries;
• Ensure Security guards are well aware of their responsibilities and present 24/7 on duty;
• Take appropriate security/safety measurements to limit and mitigate the security/safety risk and damages of INTERSOS premises;
• Monitor on regular bases and ensure INTERSOS offices and GHs are well equipped with fire extinguishers, first aid kits and emergency contact list;
• Monitor on regular basis and ensure security guards have access to basic security equipment (torch, mobile phone +  charger and credit and INTERSOS emergency contact list.
• Ensure there is safe area for fleet parking, drivers alerted for any evacuation in an immediate notice;
• Conduct Security assessment of INTERSOS new premises before INTERSOS goes with lease contract signatures;
• Identify an exit route for all distribution point, arrange transportation and safety measurements to evacuate staff – in case the distribution turn to violence;

Transport/movement Safety and Security:

• Ensure all vehicles equipped with updated fire extinguishers, first aid kits and INTERSOS emergency numbers, if not, inform Logistic and HR Dept. to update;
• Ensure all cars seat belt are working and staff members are following the safety instruction;
• Monitor with Logistic team support the car movement and speed limit of the vehicles in INTERSOS Jordan with the new GPS tracking system;
• Coordinate staff movement in the field – with coordination of Security focal point at Maiduguri

Communication/Reporting:

• Ensure staff are always updated on security situation in the country – by e-mail, SMS or other existed communication system.
• Communication is the main pillar of security; ensure always to maintain a solid communication with staff, security organization and other stakeholders at Maiduguri and value any information, even based on rumors and pass to direct
• supervisor;
• Ensure that communication tools and equipment are functioning well and in working condition;
• Ensure VHF Radio, Thuraya SAT phone and mobile phone are available, fully charged;
• Never relay on single communication network, always have 2 nd or even 3 rd means of communication, thus ensure Thuraya SAT phone are available for emergency communication;
• Coordinate with Local security organization at Maiduguri, attend the Security meeting after approval of Head of Mission.
• Update Country Head of Mission on Security situation in the field
• Provide meeting minutes, briefing to PMs and LGAs Coordination;
• Follow up of SIR (Security Incident Report) with Security Focal Points at LGA level;
• Consolidate Security Monthly report and analysis;
• Provide Maiduguri base visitors and new staff with an induction on security and with regular security briefings and updates and ensure that all staff follow security procedures;
• Ensure that INTERSOS’s security management plans are relevant and constantly updated as appropriate and that all staff know their roles and responsibilities;
• Write regular security management reports with situational analysis and recommendations;

Capacity building:

• Identify with support of HR department Security and Safety training for staff (both National and international)
• Ensure all staff are aware of INTERSOS Country Security Plan, Country Security context and INTERSOS security Operation procedures (SOPs).
• Expected profile The ideal candidate should be university graduated in relevant field, with a minimum of 5 years of experience working as a Security Manager in a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Should have Expertise in responding to security incidents, establishing security policy procedures, conducting security assessments, and documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Should demonstrable understanding of humanitarian safety practices and principles and their application.
• Should demonstrate strong experience, based on evidence, of humanitarian negotiation (with national authorities, local authorities, non- state actors, military forces) and humanitarian access in complex emergencies.
• Should be willing and ready to support the field team in designing and implementing the “acceptance strategy” especially for hard to reach and remote field locations.
• Should demonstrate previous experience with humanitarian NGO security and/or project management.
• A Collaborative Manager able to inspire a shared vision of security with your country teams. Ability to help focal points and management teams in learning, growing, and thriving in their resilience to safety and security issues.
• Have a wide network of security contacts and information sources. The candidate should be able to gather information on emerging events and trends quickly and accurately.
• Able to spot trends and keep INTERSOS country and headquarter Senior
• Security Advisor informed about country threats and support needs.