Humanitarian Access and Safety Officer (HASO) - Katsina at Medecins Du Monde

LINE MANAGER: Field Coordinator, Katsina

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of Field Coordinator, the Humanitarian Access and Safety Officer in Katsina  (HASO) 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. H/She would have technical links with the Humanitarian Access and Safety Advisor (HASA) based in Abuja.

ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION:

Security management

• Compile and update a contact list (from authority, security entities, community leaders, HF staff, district office staff, local council ...etc.) to ensure safe access to implement MDM medical activities.
• Assess the security context on a daily basis and update the field coordinator and HASA
• Analyze and report the security and contextual data using MDM validated tools
• Take active role in developing security documents for Katsina  
• To support and monitor the implementation of the security pack in Katsina  field base
• To follow up and actively contribute to the security related tasks and works in Katsina
• Validate staff movements in the operational base
• Ensure proper update and delivery of constant companion cards for key staffs
• Conduct on-going security risk and threats assessment
• 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 management and subsequent reviews and evaluations in collaboration with the General Coordinator, HASA and the Field Coordinator.
• To provide briefings about the operational context to visiting staffs and ensure staffs are kept up to date on changing security conditions
• To provide briefings about cultural and social customs in the operational context
• Monitor and report on adherence to procedures and plans in the field base
• Assess and maintains timely update and replenishment of safety and security related kits with relevant departments
• Identify safety and security training needs for the team members, conduct trainings and capacity building actions in collaboration with HASA

Liaison with Authorities and Humanitarian Actors

• Develop, maintain and establish an effective communication and good relationship with authorities and other humanitarian actors in Katsina  LGA 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 Field Coordinator timely of any information concerning changes in the procedures in the context.
• Participate in any scheduled technical and coordination meetings when needed especially the field level civil military coordination meetings
• To serve as an interlocutor with security forces in the field
• Liaise and exchange relevant information with other humanitarian organisations and with the authorities in Katsina , keeping the field coordinator informed of such information.
• To represent MDM values as secular, independent organization whose commitment is to support sustainable improvement of health policies.

Assessment:

• Participate in developing SOP, validation procedures and briefing prior to field trips to new and/or sensitive areas in Katsina  LGA with technical guidance of Humanitarian Access and Safety Manager
• Develop and update a focal points database for info collection on permanent basis.
• During identification of MDM new locations of interventions, HASO should collect information about the possible places from the different networks (i.e., Authority, community leaders, MAG, Civilian in Conflict, 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 in the operational context during before each medical team field movements and other field visit.
• During fieldtrips, responsible in coordinating movement plans, represent MDM in check points, and introduce the objective of the assessment, importance, and methodology if needed.
• Inform the medical team of any information/issues/concerns that might affect the team safety or MDM acceptance in the operational base (i.e., if they face/feel community resistance for family planning, vaccination, handling GBV case… etc. 

Project implementation:

• HASO 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.

Training on security and safety.

OTHERS:

• Be flexible in performing his duties
• Inform immediately the Field Coordinator in case of any security problem
• Realize a weekly and monthly activities report to submit to the Field coordinator, keeping the HASSM in-copy.
• Participate in a pro-active way in MdM internal meetings that maybe requested
• Perform other additional duties on request of the Field Coordinator and country coordination team

Essential Qualification:

• University degree in social sciences or other related field; certification in security management course is an asset
• Very good research and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft office and Excel is desired
• 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, Hausa, and Kanuri
• Good intuition skill is desired
• 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