Safety & Security Officer at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

This document offers generalized duties or terms of reference for the Safety and Security Focal Point(s) for the Field Office. Per the Global Safety and Security Standards, the establishment of an FSSFP is a critical aspect of Security Management Plan development and execution, Critical Incident response, and daily safety and security operational oversight for the Field Office or humanitarian response. This position will offer support to the West Pokot field office -70% and Lodwar field office-30%.

Summary Responsibility

The Safety & Security Officer will be in charge of the security in Lodwar/West Pokot field sites and will assist the Safety and Security Coordinator in building up the capacity, awareness, and preparedness of staff to deal with security-related risks, threats, and incidents through the delivery of high quality, regular trainings/ briefings to national and international staff and IRC visitors when deemed necessary.

The Safety & Security Officer will be responsible for designing and delivering the required trainings to field-based staff, ensuring that course content remains up to date, is adapted according to the target audience, and that refresher trainings are carried out for all staff in accordance with a pre-determined schedule.

He/she will head the Lodwar/West Pokot Safety & Security Department and supervise all staff within the department.

The duties and responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to.

• Ensure Lodwar and West Pokot Field Offices compliance with IRC Global Safety and Security Standards and Policy.
• Assess safety and security risk and vulnerability and make recommendations to the Field Coordinator and program manager West Pokot to reduce staff exposure.
• Maintain and update Field Security Management Plan.
• Oversee operations of the guarding services, CCTV & alarm system service providers within West Pokot and Lodwar and highlight concerns and recommendations to the Field coordinator.
• Deliver security briefing materials to new staff and visitors to the Field Offices (West Pokot) or humanitarian response.
• Immediately report all safety and security incidents to Country Office, ensuring production of Post-Incident Report by involved staff.
• Contribute to a regular situation report (to include situational analysis, actions taken, and actions recommended) prepared by the most senior staff on location.
• Ensure security risk assessments (SRA) of program areas and potential program areas are done and update as requested by senior staff on location.
• Undertake regular program site visits to the program areas and potential program areas whenever needed, anticipated incidents, or response to incidents.
• Advise Field Coordinator  and senior staff in West Pokot/ Lodwar of any need for review of individual security procedures.
• Represent the IRC locally in interagency fora dealing with humanitarian security where applicable.
• Liaise with local stakeholders and community leaders in the process of gathering and verifying security information on a regular basis.
• Coordinate with Administration and Supply Chain staff regarding staff and vehicle movement and facility security in respective locations.
• Provide recommendations to IRC Field Office or program site staff on ways in which they can effectively reach out to gain acceptance from and improve their image in host communities.
• Submit monthly report and any other report to the Security Coordinator.
• Coordinate with Field Coordinator and Senior Finance officer to ensure security budget is adequately catered for during budgeting period.
• Submit weekly report to the Security coordinator.
• Liaise with the Government security in both west Pokot and Lodwar on ensuring the movement of staff and program implementation is properly coordinated.
• Help in ensuring there is good coordination with other stakeholders in the two counties as far as security issues are concern.
• Safety & Security Officer will also supervise and give oversight to the private security and hired armed escorts in the IRC Offices and facilities.

Common Duties

• Uphold the mission, values, and spirit of IRC.
• Follow and enforce all IRC codes of conduct and policies (worldwide and in-country).
• Report any violations to appropriate IRC authority and participate in preventative initiatives.
• Actively seek opportunities that will complement ability to fulfill position’s responsibilities as well as further professional development, such as taking part in internal and external trainings.
• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

• Must have university degree in security from recognized University.
• Mush have 3-4 years of working experience in the same capacity as security officer or equivalent and previous NGO work is desirable.
• Technical competency and training experience in field-based communications systems (such as HF Codan, VHF/Thuraya)
• Demonstrate experience of working multi sectoral sector.
• Knowledge of West Pokot and Turkana is an added advantage.
• Ability to effectively manage and coordinate with geographically dispersed team. And have experience of remote supervision.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information and excellent attention to details.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly through out the region (West Pokot and Turkana) sometimes on short notice.
• Ability prepare and interpret budget (BvA).
• Outstanding people skills: strong ability to communicate constructively across culturally diverse teams and contribute to a pleasant work environment.
• Existing network of security team in the region of deployment.
• Fluent in English both oral and written.