Security Assistant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

The Security Assistant will support the Technical Advisor Security in the implementation of CRS safety and security policies in the operational security management of project activities. He will source for and collate relevant security information on safety and security threats within CRS project activity areas in the Benue and Plateau state.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Collection of information regarding safety and security situation in Benue and Plateau states, as well as, on safety and security issues concerning CRS field operations.
• Conduct periodic security risks assessment of project activity environment 
• Daily tracking and recording of all CRS vehicle field movements in the two locations. 
• Working with partner organizations, the security assistant ensures programming activities are conducted in line with CRS Health Safety and Security protocols.
• Track staff movement and update security coordinator accordingly. 
• Responding to security relevant incidents with information gathering and informing the Technical Advisor Security.
• Assist the security coordinator in Maintain a state-wide network of influential actors and communication of CRS status and mission in the State. 
• Escort field staff on outreach activities providing security support where necessary. 
• Ensuring CRS security operating procedures and contingency plans are adhered to by staff and partners.
• Ensures security, equipment, safety and integrity
• Collate security information, write and submit regular contextual updates (weekly/monthly situational reports) on project security context for the Technical Advisor. 
• 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. 

Policies and Procedures:

• Be familiar with CRS’s Safety and Security procedures and policies and Safe and Sound Manual and support the technical advisor and program teams in ensuring adherence to CRS security and safety protocols.
• Conduct periodic security risks assessment of project activity environment.
• Assist the Technical advisor security 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 whenever required in the field.

Communication:

• Provide thorough security briefings to CRS staff and visitors upon arrival in the Benue and Plateau states.
• Initiate, review, and collate security incident reports for each field site.
• Ensure the communication equipment always functions (, sat phone, internet, phone lines). Follow-up on any calls made by satellite phone and radio.
• 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 movement within Plateau and Benue states. Maintain strong communication to report and record observations, information, and occurrences during staff movement.
• Serve as focal point with drivers during interstate movement by tracking the location of all vehicles and staff and communicate with CRS Security Focal Points in other states.
• Regularly conduct 30% 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.

Staff and Vehicle Movement:

• 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, informing violators of policy and procedures.
• 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.
• 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 Benue and Plateau state field locations, ensuring they meet CRS standard operating procedures.

Coordination:

• Maintain a wide professional and personal network of influential actors and clearly communicate CRS’s status and mission in Adamawa State and Southern Borno 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 two operating states.
• Coordinate regularly with the Technical Advisor Security on safety and security issues and fulfill all reporting requirements to the Country Office in Abuja.

Required Languages - Fluency in oral and written English. A basic knowledge of Tiv, Idoma, Hausa, or Mghavul will be an added advantage.)

Travel - 60% to field locations in Benue and Plateau.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
• Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:  

• Internal: Security Coordinator (Maiduguri), Security Manager (Abuja), Finance/Grants Assistant, Procurement Assistant, Head of Office Borno, Admin/Fleet. 
• External: Government, Ministries, departments and agencies, local and international NGOs, coordination platforms and working groups, community leaders 

Basic Qualifications 

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the field of community engagement, security risk management, safety, and security management in International or Local NGO context.
• Bachelor’s degree in criminology, peace & security studies, political sciences, or related subject. 
• Professional Certification in security studies. 
• Be a Nigerian National. 
• Ability to plan and organize work and write clear and concise reports and communicate effectively (both in writing and verbally). 
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. 
• Stable, moral, reliable, and robust character and a good team-player. 
• Excellent communication skills, calm, with a good sense of humor. 
• Proven commitment to accountability practices. 
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Emails, Skype, Web research). 
• Demonstrable training and capacity building experience.