Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Manager 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 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Manager

Requisition ID: req42103
Location: Gusau, Zamfara
Sector: Safety & Security
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Category: Regular
Open to Expatriates: No

Job Overview / Summary

• Under the direct supervision of the project team lead and technical support of Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Coordinator (HASSC), the Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager (HASSM) should maintain, improve and expand principled humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in area of responsibility through development and overseeing the implementation of humanitarian access and 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 role supports the teams in Zamfara and Katsina in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risk to facilitate access for humanitarian programming, operates within acceptable Safety & Security risk levels. To achieve this, the HASSM will be based in Zamfara and regularly supports the team in Katsina.
• He/She will further entails advising the management team and other project staff on various security matters; contribute to implementing the security policies and facilitate the rollout of security SOPs, and regular reporting on compliance.  

Major Responsibilities

• Share Daily Situation Report/updates with SMT, HASS team and the project staff.
• Ensure timely reporting of security incidents and dissemination of security information to all staff and maintain the record.
• Ensures that incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and distributed to the Management team.
• Conduct security briefing and orientation to all newly hired staff, staff on mission or international visitors using the standard briefing format. He/She will ensure that an updated briefing tracking sheet is maintained.
• With the support of relevant staff, conduct security risk assessment of the program locations in Katsina and Zamfara using the standard SRA & Security Level tool, and to monitor the contextual trends prior to and continuously after deployment of staff.
• Work closely with the project lead, HASS Coordinator and Senior HASS Coordinator to ensure that Safety and Security Standards in Katsina and Zamfara offices are maintained and implemented in line with the recommendations from assessment repots.
• Assist the team lead and HASSC to Collate, analyze, and disseminate security information as approved or advised by the SHASS Coordinator to the project staff and ensuring the information remains accurate and neutral.
• Contribute to the development and review of Project field offices Field Security Management plans, Contingency plans, and standards operating procedures.
• Enforce Security SOPs within the area of jurisdiction and advise staff accordingly. Constantly and immediately notify the HASS Coordinator of any breach to the procedures in the SOPs.
• Conducting regular checks on IRC premises in Katsina and Zamfara, provide recommendation on their improvement and follow up on their implementation. Any areas of improvement to be reported to HASS Coordinator, Senior HASS Coordinator, and the team lead for immediate action.
• Initiate security alerts as appropriate in line with the ever-evolving security context across two states through the existing Warden System, Bulk SMS, and Early Warning Group.
• Ensure that staff movement are well tracked and communication using Sat Phone is maintained.
• Guide Field teams on how to undertake security risk assessments during field missions to programme areas and potential programme areas, report on findings and design necessary improvements.
• Work on identification and mitigation of potential security risks to staff, assets and operational/program security and validates mitigation measure within security risk assessments.
• Monitor events, review incidents and coordinate analysis, follow-up actions and recommendations in close coordination with the HASS Coordinator and the team lead.
• Provide security update, which includes situational analysis, actions taken, and actions recommended to the Field Management Team on a regular and as per request basis.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Establish Security Focal Group (SFG) in Zamfara and Katsina and build the capacity of the team on basic humanitarian access safety and security protocols and policies. 
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor the HASS officer, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular, positive, and constructive performance feedback.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable the HASS officer to successfully perform in his/her positions.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. Train and develop capability and capacity of direct report to perform well in the role.
• Work closely with the team lead, indirect/technical supervisor, and direct report to promote team spirit.
• Coordination and representation: He/She will represent the department in meetings and serve as focal person for the department in Zamfara and Katsina.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Team Lead
• Indirect / Technical Reporting: Humanitarian Access Safety and security coordinator
• Position directly Supervises: Humanitarian Access Safety and security Officer in Katsina.

Qualifications
Education: 

• B.Sc / HND in Social Sciences
• Master’s Degree in security studies or relevant course is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• 2 - 4 years’ work experience - Previous experience with INGO preferred.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication are required.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication and time management skills
• Ability to organize tasks simultaneously, prioritize work and ensure tasks are completed by deadline.
• Knowledge of Northwest context is required.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.