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 care 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**.**
The International Rescue Committee has been working in Somalia since 2006, providing essential services to conflict and disaster affected communities. The IRC has been operational in Central Somalia (Galmudug, Puntland and Southwest regions) and Banadir implementing interventions in the areas of livelihood, WASH, Governance, and peacebuilding, GBV, Nutrition, education and health reaching out to more than 200,000 conflict and drought affected people.
Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Access Security & Safety Manager (HASSM) will advise on, update and implement the IRC Security Standards and Requirements under the supervision of the Country Security and Safety Adviser (CSSA). The HASSM will provide support for the expansion of programming in SWS and build acceptance of IRC’s presence and humanitarian efforts within Baidoa region by liaising extensively with local stakeholders and partners. The HASSM will be based in Baidoa with regular travel to all field locations, providing support, capacity building and documentation to field leadership (Field Coordinators and Managers) as well as to all Security Focal Points (male and female) within the country program. He/she will back up the Country Safety and Security Advisor as needed.
Safety and Security Management Planning
- Provide technical support to the Baidoa office and Country Program (when requested) on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security and program continuity.
- Develop, review and update the Security Management Plan (SMP) for Baidoa. Assist in ensuring field locations have updated SMPs, including context-specific Security Risk Assessments, SOPs and Contingency Plans. Reference and ensure compliance to IRC Security Management Framework.
- Work with field leadership and Deputy Director of Operations to develop, consolidate and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.
- Evaluate, review and update the evacuation plans for Baidoa and ensure that practical preparations are in place and known to staff.
- Conduct risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards including the specific point raised up by the Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) team.
- Undertake regular assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met.
- Conduct in-person and remote safety and security assessments on a regular basis in each field location to assess the level of compliance with relevant security plans and procedures designed for each geographical area.
- In coordination with CSSA, liaise with relevant security actors (e.g., NGO, UN and other Security Focal Points) and attend relevant coordination meetings.
Support for Programs and Humanitarian Access
- Collaborate with program team to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted.
- Develop ongoing relationships with community elders and other stakeholders to ensure that the IRC’s mission and work within SWS is known, accepted and safe.
- Provide technical input and advice in assessments and proposals for potential IRC programming in new geographic areas as required.
- Support local partners to ensure the good compliance with IRC safety and Security Standards and Requirements according to the level of responsibility mentioned in the legal clause of the partnership agreement (for example: 50%/50% for the REACH/GAVI project)
- Design and review the acceptance strategy in collaboration with the CSSA.
- Make sure that the stakeholder mapping/analysis is updated and reviewed on a regular basis (every 6 months).
- Work closely with the regional humanitarian access team to ensure that the strategy is appropriate
and implemented.
- Ensure appropriate support to field-based staff via regular site visits, producing reports with action points to monitor, including
Monitoring, Analysis, Reporting
- Produce and/or review incident reports (PIR) submitted by the field (within 24 hours). Work with CSSA and field teams to ensure appropriate incident management.
- Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized security situations and incidents along with appropriate advice and analysis to IRC field leadership, CSSA and program management staff.
- Compile and submit monthly security reporting that track incidents and trends within the IRC’s area of operation. Submit daily contextual updates to the CSSA.
- Coordinate with the CSSA to produce the daily situation report (DSR) before 12:00 and share with CSSA and field leadership.
Security Training and Orientation
- Work closely with the CSSA to identify learning and development needs. Training plan to be sent to CSSA and field leadership by October of each year.
- Provide regular trainings to staff according to identified needs. Trainings may include SOPs, humanitarian negotiations, contextual understanding, risk management, incident management and reporting, humanitarian principles, safety and security preparedness etc. Coach field leadership and field security focal points.
- Maintain, review and update the IRC security information package for new staff and visitors
- Provide on-arrival briefings to new and returning visitors to Baidoa.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of non-profit or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs with demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing and executing security operations in the field.
- Experience in applying humanitarian principles, codes of conduct and, ideally, specific sub-sector work linked to NGO field operations contexts.
- Prior experience as a trainer with the ability to develop, implement, facilitate and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
- Ability to gain a precise understanding of the various local, regional, country and international policies, operational positions and interactions, providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur.
- Experience of working in complex humanitarian settings supporting shifting program and partner priorities in emergency or refugee settings.
- Good working knowledge of communications systems (satellite communications, VHF/HF radio).
- Proficient in MS Office Suite.
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong sense of personal integrity
- Attention to detail
- Ability to multi-task
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Team spirit and problem-solving abilities; desire to learn
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Excellent written and organizational skills
- Ability to manage large amounts of information and prioritize work
Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, physical or mental ability, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.
IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.
Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply
