Field Security Officer at Catholic Relief Service (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Security Officer

Job ID: 21000079
Location: Yola, Adamawa
Employment Type: Full-time
Job: Risk Management
Organization: Catholic Relief Services
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Entry Level
Job Level : Day Job
Travel :Yes, 25 % of the Time

Job Summary

• The Field Security Officer (FSO) assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for CRS employees and visitors, premises, and assets as well as maintaining regular communication with staff during field movement. The FSO is responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems and procedures (Safety and Security Protocols) are in place to maximize safety and security and that they are adhered to at all times.
• The FSO is responsible for coordinating operational security issues and sourcing of relevant security information within CRS project activity areas and in the entire Adamawa and Southern Borno states. He supports the Head of Office to ensure that safety and security is mainstreamed into all field operations across Adamawa State Field office, and at the same time provides a high-quality information for decision making.

Responsibilities
Policies and Procedures:

• Be familiar with CRS’s Safety and Security procedures and policies and Safe and Sound Manual and support the Head of Office in ensuring they are adhered to at all times.
• Work with the Security Manager and the Head of Office to develop, consolidate, implement, and regularly review operating procedures and security plans across Adamawa State and Southern Borno, Northeast Nigeria.
• Assist the Security Manager to 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.

Communication:

• Provide thorough security briefings to CRS staff and visitors upon arrival in the State.
• Initiate, review, and collate security incident reports for each field site.
• Implement, maintain, and regularly update the CRS State staff and visitors list, Security Communications Tree and SOPs as needed
• Ensure the communication equipment functions at all times (HF radio, sat phone, internet, phone lines). Follow-up on any calls made by satellite phone and radio

Staff and Vehicle Movement:

• 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 Adamawa State and Southern Borno. 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 25% 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

Monitoring and Analysis:

• Collect information regarding politics and security in Adamawa State and Borno South as well as on safety and security issues concerning CRS.
• Respond to security relevant incidents with information gathering and inform the Head of Office and the Country Security Manger.
• 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.
• Ensure that perimeter security staff (guards) have the capacities to perform their duties as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct monthly health and safety inspections such as, but not limited to: fire extinguishers, smoke/fire detectors and inspection of CRS facilities in Adamawa State
• Regular inventory and stock taking of hibernation kits, first aid kits, and vehicle safety kits; ensure that staff know what is in the kits and how and when to use them.
• Submit regular contextual updates (weekly/monthly situational reports) to the Head of Office
• 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.
• Take appropriate measures to secure CRS premises, personnel, assets, and properties by regularly monitoring and control of CRS existing security set-up.
• 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 Adamawa State and Southern Borno and in 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 state.
• Coordinate regularly with the Country Security Manger on safety and security issues and fulfill all reporting requirements to the Country Office in Abuja.
• Attend and represent CRS at UN, Sector, and other meetings relating to access and security as appropriate, following guidance from the Head of Office and the CP Security Manger

Required Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English. Fluency in Hausa or any other local language in Adamawa State is a distinct advantage.

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good relationship management skills
• Good analytical, organizational, and systems thinking skills
• Ability to make sound judgment
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Supervisory Responsibilities (none) 

Key Working Relationships

Internal:

• Head of Office, Security Manager, Admin Officer, Security Officer, Deputy Country Representative, National staff, International Staff, etc.

External:

• INGO’s, UN Agencies, Government Agencies, Partners etc.

Qualifications
Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the field of community engagement, risk management, safety and security management or other related field.
• Proficient in Excel and experience with Word and PowerPoint.
• Previous experience in security management with NGOs is added advantage.
• Completed formal security management trainings.
• Ability to plan and organize work and write clear and concise reports and communicate effectively (both written and verbal).
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of the geography and culture of Northeast Nigeria with proven ability to read maps.
• Stable, moral, reliable character and a good team player.
• Proven commitment to accountability practices.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• Must be familiar with and committed to gender equity in programming and management practice

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

What We Offer

• CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
• Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Application Closing Date
20th May, 2021.