Safety and Security Coordinator at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safety and Security Coordinator

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Safety & Security            
Employee Type: Regular            
Employee Category: Full Time            

Scope of Work

• The post holder will develop and ensure the systematic application of safety and security management policies and procedures in all of IRC operational areas of Nigeria. This will include the assessment of threats and provision of advice to manage risk; the maintenance and updating of security guidelines and ensuring that field security working practices are robust and that all staff are aware of, trained in, and adhere to security management plans, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Integral to the post is the ability to work successfully with field teams to cultivate capacity and motivation thereby ensuring field-based responsibility for security analysis and management. In parallel to the above, the post holder will capacity build and train a local security manager.
• The post reports to the Deputy Director of Operations, works in close collaboration with the CD and broader SMT, Field Coordinators and Security Liaison Officers, as well as all other staff.
• She/he will receive technical support from the Regional Safety and Security Advisor (RSSA).

Specific Duties
Security Management and Systems:

• Ensure that all IRC program activities and locations are assessed and monitored relative to their impact on staff safety and security, and make recommendations on protocols and practices to reduce staff risk and vulnerability.
• In consultation with the CD, DDO, Field Coordinator, and Security Liaison Officers continuously monitor the security /safety environment nationally and locally for all IRC program areas and make recommendations to the Country Director, who will consult with the RSSA to adjust security policies and procedures as needed
• Initiate the creation of a Security Management Team in Nigeria and spearhead the revision of Safety and Security Guidelines for all operational areas in accordance with IRC global security guidelines.
• Finalize security plans as part of a fully inclusive process involving a fair representation of team members.  Publish, publicize and implement the ratified documents.
• Ensure that contingency plans for Evacuation, Relocation, Hibernation, and Medical Evacuation are in place, disseminated and adopted amongst staff including a detailed contextual assessment and situational update which is revised at least quarterly.
• Ensure and regularly reassess that IRC vehicles, premises and equipment are compliant with internationally recognized safety and security standards.
• Research and analyze security-related information from a variety of local and international media sources, governmental sources, the UN and other INGOs in order to produce a formal weekly security update.
• Ensure that communication systems are adequate and maintained.  Provide training to staff on the use of such equipment and communications protocols in conjunction with the DDO.
• Monitor HR / Finance / Logistics working practices within the context of safety and security and alert the relevant coordinators, DDO, and the Country Director if inappropriate decisions are impacting on the safety and security of the team or external perception of the organization thereby creating security risks.
• Conduct local analysis of incidents to inform future security management
• In conjunction with the SMT and other relevant staff, assist in the debriefing of staff that has experienced security incidents or ‘near miss’ incidents.
• Coordinate post-incident follow up actions, analysis and recommendations.
• Ensure systems are in place to instantly respond to a crisis management situation by working with the Incident Management team; ensure that lines of communication and reporting to the Crisis Management team in New York are fully understood and implemented.
• Conduct security assessments in new areas of Nigeria prior to entry by IRC program staff, in collaboration with the RSSA.

Documentation:

• Ensure that briefing documents and maps are developed to help orient all new staff (national and international) about the overall security situation in Nigeria and the particular threats and procedures in the areas where staff will be based.
• Ensure that a centralized filing system of security-related documents is maintained in Nigeria
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile reports on security assessments of offices, staff guest houses, field sites and project areas.
• Systematically map all incidents on a dedicated map and provide timely analysis to identify emerging trends.  Ensure field offices adhere to the same process and share information with the post holder.

Briefing, Training and Capacity Building:

• Ensure Security briefings (arrival and complete) are of adequate quality and done in timely manner
• Work with national and international staff to build a shared understanding of security analysis and risk mitigation.
• With the support of the RSSA, develop a standardized security training method and provide security training for all staff in safety and security related subjects ensuring that policy and guidelines are understood and are being adopted and implemented across the program.
• Act as a team facilitator during the development of Field office Security Management Plans.
• Build capacity of local security liaison officer(s)
• Guide train and monitor all staff to ensure the Country’s Minimum Standards in Safety and Security are followed and respected

Coordination and Networking:

• Coordinate and liaise on program safety and security matters with all relevant actors in country such as national and international NGOs, UN, Donor organizations, government authorities and other stakeholders within the population.
• Proactively share information with staff in the CO and in the field ensuring high security awareness levels, close situation monitoring and effective two-way communication on security-related issues.
• Under guidance of the CD, serve as a key resource to IRC and its operational partners in times of emergencies, such as natural or manmade disasters.

Job Requirements/Experience Required
Essential:

• A formal security qualification or advanced security management training.
• Substantial practical field experience in security management in a leadership role (e.g. direct INGO security management).
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• 3 to 5 year work experience in insecure/hostile environments.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multi ethnic team
• Experience and knowledge of personnel and organizational security issues, threat/risk assessment, security management and security awareness in an insecure environment.
• Experience of incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation and analysis functions, set up and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), compilation of security reports and assessments.
• Experience in training and coaching national and international staff in safety and security.
• Technical competency and training experience in field based communications systems such as HF Codan, Motorola VHF, Thuraya, satellite systems and internet systems.
• Ability to adapt to needs and balance demands of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination.
• Sound knowledge of humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality as outlined in the Humanitarian Charter and the International Red Cross Code of Conduct.
• Strong report writing, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Previous security management work experience with INGOs in Africa.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Nigeria’s context
• Previous experience with IRC
• Knowledge of mapping software

Specific Security Situation/Housing

• The Safety and Security Coordinator will be based in Maiduguri, Nigeria with travel throughout the country particularly rural parts of Borno, Yola and Mubi in Adamawa state, and Abuja.
• The security situation in Nigeria continues to be volatile in the NE with the security level at 3 (orange).
• The candidate should be prepared to manage security in an unpredictable, insecure environment.
• This is a non-accompanied position. The Safety and Security Coordinator will live in shared housing. 

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online