Field Security Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• The Security Officer assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for CRS employees and visitors, premises, and assets and maintaining regular communication with staff during field movement.
• The Security Officer is responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to maximize safety and security and that they are adhered to at all times.
• The Security Officer is responsible for supporting the Northeast Nigeria Security Coordinator and Head of Office, Yobe State to ensure that safety and security is mainstreamed into all field operations across Northeast Nigeria and that high-quality information is available for decision making.

Specific Responsibilities:
Policies and Procedures:

• Be familiar with CRS’s Safety and Security procedures and policies and Safe and Sound Manual, and support the Security Manager and Head of Office, Yobe in ensuring they are always adhered to.
• Work with the Security Manager to develop, consolidate, implement, and regularly review operating procedures and security plans across Northeast Nigeria and Yobe in particular.
• Assist the Security Manager to provide training(s) that may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Contingency Plans (CPs), Security Management, Incident Reporting, Prevention and Response Mechanisms, Communications (including satellite phones), and risk/threat analysis.

Communication:

• Provide thorough security briefings to CRS staff and visitors upon arrival in Yobe State.
• Initiate, review, and collate security incident reports for each field site.
• Implement, maintain, and regularly update the CRS Yobe State staff and visitors list, Security Communications Tree and SOPs as needed
• Ensure the communication equipment functions at all times (HF radio, sat phone, internet, phone lines). Follow-up on any calls made by satellite phone and radio

Staff and Vehicle Movement:

• In collaboration with the Travel Team, monitor movement and provide security guidance to international and national staff on the current situation in operational areas.
• Daily track and record all CRS field movements within Yobe State. Maintain strong communication to report and record observations, information, and occurrences during staff movement
• Serve as the focal point with drivers during interstate movement by tracking the location of all vehicles and staff and communicating with CRS Security Officers in other states.
• Regularly conduct field visits to assess field site compliance with safety and security procedure during field activities.
• Ensure vehicle and personal tracking systems are appropriate, fully resourced, and operational

Monitoring and Analysis:

• Collect information regarding politics and security in Yobe State as well as on safety and security issues concerning CRS.
• Respond to security-relevant incidents with information gathering and inform the CRS NE Operations Security Manager and the Head of Office, Yobe.
• Undertake continual assessments of equipment (including vehicles) and organizational assets to ensure that minimal conditions for security are met. Prevent loss and damage by reporting irregularities, and informing violators of policy and procedures.=
• Ensure that perimeter security staff (guards) have the capacities to perform their duties as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct monthly health and safety inspections such as, but not limited to fire extinguishers, smoke/fire detectors and inspection of CRS facilities in Yobe State
• Regularly inventory and stock as necessary hibernation kits, first aid kits, and vehicle safety kits; ensure that staff know what is in the kits and how and when to use them
• Submit regular contextual updates (weekly/monthly situational reports) to the Security Manager
• Work closely with CRS field teams to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written Incident Report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately.
• Take appropriate measures to secure CRS premises, personnel, assets, and properties by regularly monitoring and control of CRS existing security set-up.
• Check that facilities and equipment conform to security norms (closures and doorways are in a good state, open spaces lit up, buildings identified, fire extinguishers present, electrical installations buried, etc.).
• Review lodging options for staff in Damaturu and in field locations, ensuring they meet CRS standard operating procedures.

Coordination:

• Maintain a comprehensive professional and personal network of influential actors and clearly communicate CRS’s status and mission in Yobe State and across NE Nigeria.
• Build acceptance to facilitate continuity of current CRS programs and any future humanitarian or development programming by liaising with local communities, local authorities and other humanitarian actors and stakeholders within the state.
• Coordinate regularly with the NE Security Officers and the CP Security Manager on safety and security issues and fulfill all reporting requirements to the Country Office in Abuja.
• Assist NE Security team in staff safety and security matters and act as a backup security focal point, as requested.
• Attend and represent CRS at UN, Sector, and other meetings relating to access and security as appropriate, following guidance from the Head of Office

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Head of Office, Admin Officer, Security Officer, Security Manager, Deputy Country Representatives, National staff, International Staff, etc.
• External: INGO’s, UN Agencies, Government Agencies, Partners etc.

Requirements
Basic Qualifications:

• Degree in Criminal Justice, Peace and Security Studies, Political Science, or a related field
• Minimum of two years working in a security-sensitive environment.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in the field of community engagement, risk management, safety and security management or other related fields
• Previous experience in security management with NGOs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completed formal security management training
• Ability to plan and organize work and write clear and concise reports and communicate effectively (both written and verbal)
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Proven ability to read maps
• Knowledge of the geography and culture of Northeast Nigeria
• Stable, moral, reliable character and a good team player
• Excellent communication skills, calm, with a good sense of humour
• Proven commitment to accountability practices
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, email, Skype, internet searches)
• Fluency in oral and written English. Fluency in Hausa or Kanuri or any other local language is a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• Must be familiar with and committed to gender equity in programming and management practices.