Security Assistant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Security Assistant

Job ID: 210000JI
Location: Borno
Job: Program Management
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Standard
Employee Status: Individual Contributor
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job

Job Summary

• The Security Assistant is responsible for supporting the security coordinator on operational security issues and sourcing of relevant security information within CRS project activity areas and in the entire Borno states.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Collection of information regarding safety and security situation in Borno states as well as on safety and security issues concerning CRS.
• Daily tracking and recording of all CRS vehicle field movements.
• Follow up of any calls made by Satellite phone and radio.
• Track staff movement and update security coordinator accordingly.
• Responding to security relevant incidents with information gathering and informing the Security Coordinator.
• 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.
• Assist the security coordinator in developing, consolidate and implement security operating procedures and contingency plans.
• Assist the security coordinator in Assessing equipment (including vehicles) and organizational assets to ensure equipment integrity.
• Ensure that responsible guardians (Private Security Guards) have the capacities to perform their duties as per the SOPs.
• Conduct monthly safety inspections such as: fire extinguishers, smoke/fire detectors and inspection of CRS facilities in the State as it pertains to health and safety to ensure equipment integrity.
• Identify, establish, and manage context-appropriate approaches to assure CRS facilities are secure.
• Assist the security coordinator in Submit regular contextual updates (weekly/monthly situational reports) to the Security Coordinator.
• 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.
• Assist the regularly with the Security Coordinator on safety and security issues and fulfil reporting requirements to the Country Office in Abuja.

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 always adhered to.
• Work with the Security Manager and the Security Coordinator 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 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

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 and Hausa (Kanuri Speaking).

Travel:

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 60%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Observation and active listening skills
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.

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

• Degree in Criminology, Peace & Security Studies, Political Sciences or related subject.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in the field of community engagement, risk management, safety, and security management in International or Local NGO context.
• 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 esearches).
• Demonstrable training and capacity building experience.
• Fluency in oral and written English and Hausa (Kanuri Speaking).

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.

Application Closing Date
16th September, 2021.

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

Note

• All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.
• CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
• CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer