Access Safety and Security Officer

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state.  In early 2014, IRC opened a field office in Mubi town of Adamawa state in NE Nigeria followed by offices in Yola (Adamawa state) in November 2014 and Maiduguri (Borno state) in October 2015.  IRC has also expanded to operations to Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto through a consortium partnership.

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (HASSM), the Access Safety and Security Officer (ASSO), should assist Humanitarian Access and Security Manager to maintain, improve day-to-day security management plans in compliance with IRC’s strategy and in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, Duty of Care and Gender Equality principles.

The post holder will provide expert advice to the IRC team in Mubi as well as visitors. He or She would assist the HASSM to identify changes and trends in the security environment in the areas of operations and will ensure that adequate and up-to-date policies and procedures are in place; ensure people have the information they need to manage operations, to identify issues, and to recommend and implement measures to reduce them. He or She will also support with the basic IT infrastructure in the office.

Major Responsibilities:

Humanitarian Access Management:

• Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work within the operation is known and accepted by all relevant stakeholders.
• Assist HASSM to oversee and advise on the implementation and review of tailored access and acceptance strategies.

Safety and Security Management

• Assist HASSM in organizing monthly Security Focal Group (SFG) Meeting.
• Give security briefings to newly hired staff and visitors.
• Enhance physical security measures of the IRC office in Mubi.
• Share Daily Security Reports and incidents via other available platforms.
• Work closely with HASSM to conduct Security Risk assessment for Mubi.

Liaison, Networking, Analysis:

• Establish and maintain relations and networks with relevant stakeholders in Mubi to enhance collaboration.
• Develop and maintain contact lists, stakeholder analyses and humanitarian access profiles in area of responsibility – Mubi.
• Assist HASSM on day-to-day operations related to security management and liaison with authorities and other entities for administrative and substantive staff, program, and organizational needs.

Context Understanding and Reporting:

• Monitor open sources to collect, compile and report information including incidents and trends pertinent to humanitarian access in area of responsibility – Mubi.
• Assist HASSM to monitor the operating environment, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities, and recommend possible responses and mitigation measures.
• Contribute to local-level conflict sensitivity analysis and macro- level analysis of trends in Mubi and environs.

Training and capacity building:

• Assist the HASSM to build up the capacity, awareness, and preparedness of staff to deal with security-related risks, threats, and incidents through the delivery of high quality, regular trainings/ briefings to national and international staff and IRC visitors when deemed necessary.
• Provide regular training for IRC staff on security preparedness, prevention, and response. Training(s) may include socialization sessions on SOPs; Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; and Communications.
• Provide training for contracted security guards and drivers.                                                                                                                                                 

Key working relationships

Reports to: Humanitarian Access Safety Manager Adamawa
Supervises: None.
Other relationships: Access Safety and Security Coordinator, local authorities, and NGO counterparts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in security studies, political science, or related field, preferred.
• At least to 2 years’ experience of security management is required.
• Security management skills and experience with local or international NGO is required.
• Understanding of local context, dynamics, and access limitations related to gender, disability, religion, tradition, and local norms.
• Demonstratable experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
• Flexibility, adaptability, culturally sensitive, team player.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Females are strongly encouraged to apply.
• IT skills and expertise will be an added advantage.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft office.
• Good relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.
• Ability to work under pressure and ensure staff abide with the security policies.
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated, honest, responsible, and punctual.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in The IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.