Employer: Mercy Corps
Closing Date: Sunday, 07 April 2013
Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and is committed to programming interventions in the areas of humanitarian assistance, livelihoods, economic recovery, youth, governance and conflict management.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps' Middle East programs continually meet the ever-growing needs of beneficiaries, and are only successful if the security situations are closely monitored and the overall safety and security of both team members and partner beneficiaries are well managed.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Safety & Security Manager (SSM) is a member of any country's senior leadership team (SLT) and is responsible for all security and safety functions within a country, including training of all staff and partners, in safety and security, coaching and mentoring the national colleagues and Security focal points (national staff), training and mentoring the Security Focal Points, and working closely with the Mercy Corps Global Security Advisor and Regional security teams and members. The SSM also coordinates with the INGO Security focal point and other Security focal points in Embassies, INGOs and Security companies.
The SSM has a primary responsibility of strengthening in-country security systems to be the high standard required for safe operations. These systems follow the no-weapons policy employed by Mercy Corps globally in addition to a strategy of acceptance that is typical and successfully used by humanitarian organizations. It is expected that s/he will develop, coach and work with the Security Management Teams (SMTs) in each Mercy Corps office to become a functional structure that reduces risk to Mercy Corps' staff, programs and image. The SMTs will have the ultimate responsibility of assessing threats and vulnerabilities to Mercy Corps and design and implement effective security strategies to address them; the SSM will take a more operational approach of implementing these strategies.
The SSM does not have the authority to suspend operations, impose procedures or evacuate staff, but rather will advance best practices through providing training, technical advice and support for improved assessment, analysis and planning.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All activities will be implemented jointly with the SSM, TL (Team Leader) or Country Director, and Country Response Coordinator (CRC) with the intent of developing the GLSA to fulfill these and other, future strategies related to the security of the Mercy Corps country team.
Security Systems
Stay abreast of the security situation and proactively apply this knowledge, with analysis, guidance and advice for programmatic and operational responses;
Stay abreast of Mercy Corps program activities. Develop and deliver security guidance, training materials and contingency plans to support these activities and program objectives;
Work with management and local actors to develop and review contingency planning in all country locations;
Conduct a security review of existing and proposed programs with program staff and management in the context of the security environment. Ensure this critical skill is transferred to local and international staff;
Execute crisis management exercises for all staff and management;
Support the development and maintenance of current security plans in a consistent format (using the approved Mercy Corps format) through planning workshops, training, and the provision of feedback on plans;
Develop and upgrade hibernation and evacuation SOPs. SSM to coordinate with INGO Form to provide consultant with the templates and then work with the consultant and TL, CR, Head of Offices to reflect the realities at all operational locations;
Establish and develop a Security Telephone Tree for all locations in consultation with TL, CRC, CR and Head of Offices;
Meet with the security company representatives mainly focusing on Mercy Corps area of operations;
Facilitate national staff (SFP) in establishing protocols and reporting of incidents and tracking of incidents;
Test communication equipment;
Other duties which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for Mercy Corps staff and properties.
Team Support
Work with the respective teams at all locations and support staff in implementing country-wide training and orientation plans, focusing on both orientation for new staff/consultants and visitors and identifying training and refresher workshops to include security awareness as an essential part of program planning;
Promote and support efforts by field offices to meet the Inter Action Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) through effective planning and budgeting for security;
Coach and mentor local SFPs to fulfill his/her roles as the operational arm of the Mercy Corps security management strategy. Develop a work plan that can be remotely monitored by the Global SA and CRC;
Attend SMT meetings in each office, including a central SMT at the country-level. Coach SMTs and sharpen their skills in risk and vulnerability assessments, evaluating information and developing security protocols and strategies that work for the team and allow Mercy Corps programs to progress safely and with the lowest risk possible. Utilize existing tools including analysis tools, briefing documents and draft SOPs;
Assess training needs of staff especially Drivers and Guards in consultation with Team Leader or Country Director.
In-Country Support:
Assist in monitoring the security environment, however, the responsibility for the detailed, day-to-day work falls on the office-level SMTs, the SFP and ultimately the Response Coordinator. Proactively provide the Country Response Coordinator with areas and analysis on risk levels throughout the country and specific to program activities;
Be readily available at all times to advise on security developments;
Be able to call upon additional expertise where needed;
Make field visits, respond to emails and calls and review security plans, providing advice and feedback as appropriate;
Develop the necessary contacts and advise the Country Response Coordinator on strategy to support the merging of Mercy Corps programs of different geographic areas in to a single program.
Other:
Place high value on inter-agency coordination in security; encourage Mercy Corps field-level coordination in the NGO community;
Seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation;
Develop a network of relationships with peers in the humanitarian community (UN, NGO, ICRC, appropriate governmental offices, etc.);
Develop and engage Mercy Corps' internal network of Security Focal Points and encourage inter-communications between them;
Pursue opportunities to engage others in our community in creative solutions to our security challenges through collaborative efforts.
Organizational Learning:
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Security Focal Points (SFPs)
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Response Coordinator
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Team Leaders, Country Directors, Head of Offices, Program Managers, Finance Manager, Operations Manager
COLLABORATES WITH: All Mercy Corps colleagues
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Formal security qualification or advanced security management training.
Advanced level of understanding with the philosophy and mode of operation of NGOs.
Recommended minimum of 5 years of field-based experience in complex and insecure settings, preferably in more than one country with large teams of staff.
Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military government authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions.
Experience with 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.
Strong analytical capacity, resourcefulness and creativity in developing the role of security within programs and ensuring the most effective support to line management.
Ability to balance demands of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
Excellent planning, coordination and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments.
Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other database/mapping systems.
Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Knowledge and understanding of the Middle East region.
Ability to speak Arabic is strongly preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will have an ability to problem solve, and to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with MC and donor regulations. Maintaining strong, cooperative relationships with other departments is crucial. A successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity and demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The candidate will ensure a high degree of professionalism and neutrality when it comes to implementing the response.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This is a full time position, based in the Middle East at a location to be determined, which may be unaccompanied, with frequent travel to other field offices. Living conditions will be clean and secure, but basic.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply:
APPLY VIA URL:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
Closing Date: Sunday, 07 April 2013
Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and is committed to programming interventions in the areas of humanitarian assistance, livelihoods, economic recovery, youth, governance and conflict management.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps' Middle East programs continually meet the ever-growing needs of beneficiaries, and are only successful if the security situations are closely monitored and the overall safety and security of both team members and partner beneficiaries are well managed.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Safety & Security Manager (SSM) is a member of any country's senior leadership team (SLT) and is responsible for all security and safety functions within a country, including training of all staff and partners, in safety and security, coaching and mentoring the national colleagues and Security focal points (national staff), training and mentoring the Security Focal Points, and working closely with the Mercy Corps Global Security Advisor and Regional security teams and members. The SSM also coordinates with the INGO Security focal point and other Security focal points in Embassies, INGOs and Security companies.
The SSM has a primary responsibility of strengthening in-country security systems to be the high standard required for safe operations. These systems follow the no-weapons policy employed by Mercy Corps globally in addition to a strategy of acceptance that is typical and successfully used by humanitarian organizations. It is expected that s/he will develop, coach and work with the Security Management Teams (SMTs) in each Mercy Corps office to become a functional structure that reduces risk to Mercy Corps' staff, programs and image. The SMTs will have the ultimate responsibility of assessing threats and vulnerabilities to Mercy Corps and design and implement effective security strategies to address them; the SSM will take a more operational approach of implementing these strategies.
The SSM does not have the authority to suspend operations, impose procedures or evacuate staff, but rather will advance best practices through providing training, technical advice and support for improved assessment, analysis and planning.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All activities will be implemented jointly with the SSM, TL (Team Leader) or Country Director, and Country Response Coordinator (CRC) with the intent of developing the GLSA to fulfill these and other, future strategies related to the security of the Mercy Corps country team.
Security Systems
Stay abreast of the security situation and proactively apply this knowledge, with analysis, guidance and advice for programmatic and operational responses;
Stay abreast of Mercy Corps program activities. Develop and deliver security guidance, training materials and contingency plans to support these activities and program objectives;
Work with management and local actors to develop and review contingency planning in all country locations;
Conduct a security review of existing and proposed programs with program staff and management in the context of the security environment. Ensure this critical skill is transferred to local and international staff;
Execute crisis management exercises for all staff and management;
Support the development and maintenance of current security plans in a consistent format (using the approved Mercy Corps format) through planning workshops, training, and the provision of feedback on plans;
Develop and upgrade hibernation and evacuation SOPs. SSM to coordinate with INGO Form to provide consultant with the templates and then work with the consultant and TL, CR, Head of Offices to reflect the realities at all operational locations;
Establish and develop a Security Telephone Tree for all locations in consultation with TL, CRC, CR and Head of Offices;
Meet with the security company representatives mainly focusing on Mercy Corps area of operations;
Facilitate national staff (SFP) in establishing protocols and reporting of incidents and tracking of incidents;
Test communication equipment;
Other duties which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for Mercy Corps staff and properties.
Team Support
Work with the respective teams at all locations and support staff in implementing country-wide training and orientation plans, focusing on both orientation for new staff/consultants and visitors and identifying training and refresher workshops to include security awareness as an essential part of program planning;
Promote and support efforts by field offices to meet the Inter Action Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) through effective planning and budgeting for security;
Coach and mentor local SFPs to fulfill his/her roles as the operational arm of the Mercy Corps security management strategy. Develop a work plan that can be remotely monitored by the Global SA and CRC;
Attend SMT meetings in each office, including a central SMT at the country-level. Coach SMTs and sharpen their skills in risk and vulnerability assessments, evaluating information and developing security protocols and strategies that work for the team and allow Mercy Corps programs to progress safely and with the lowest risk possible. Utilize existing tools including analysis tools, briefing documents and draft SOPs;
Assess training needs of staff especially Drivers and Guards in consultation with Team Leader or Country Director.
In-Country Support:
Assist in monitoring the security environment, however, the responsibility for the detailed, day-to-day work falls on the office-level SMTs, the SFP and ultimately the Response Coordinator. Proactively provide the Country Response Coordinator with areas and analysis on risk levels throughout the country and specific to program activities;
Be readily available at all times to advise on security developments;
Be able to call upon additional expertise where needed;
Make field visits, respond to emails and calls and review security plans, providing advice and feedback as appropriate;
Develop the necessary contacts and advise the Country Response Coordinator on strategy to support the merging of Mercy Corps programs of different geographic areas in to a single program.
Other:
Place high value on inter-agency coordination in security; encourage Mercy Corps field-level coordination in the NGO community;
Seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation;
Develop a network of relationships with peers in the humanitarian community (UN, NGO, ICRC, appropriate governmental offices, etc.);
Develop and engage Mercy Corps' internal network of Security Focal Points and encourage inter-communications between them;
Pursue opportunities to engage others in our community in creative solutions to our security challenges through collaborative efforts.
Organizational Learning:
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Security Focal Points (SFPs)
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Response Coordinator
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Team Leaders, Country Directors, Head of Offices, Program Managers, Finance Manager, Operations Manager
COLLABORATES WITH: All Mercy Corps colleagues
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Formal security qualification or advanced security management training.
Advanced level of understanding with the philosophy and mode of operation of NGOs.
Recommended minimum of 5 years of field-based experience in complex and insecure settings, preferably in more than one country with large teams of staff.
Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military government authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions.
Experience with 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.
Strong analytical capacity, resourcefulness and creativity in developing the role of security within programs and ensuring the most effective support to line management.
Ability to balance demands of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
Excellent planning, coordination and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.
Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments.
Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other database/mapping systems.
Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Knowledge and understanding of the Middle East region.
Ability to speak Arabic is strongly preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will have an ability to problem solve, and to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with MC and donor regulations. Maintaining strong, cooperative relationships with other departments is crucial. A successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity and demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The candidate will ensure a high degree of professionalism and neutrality when it comes to implementing the response.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This is a full time position, based in the Middle East at a location to be determined, which may be unaccompanied, with frequent travel to other field offices. Living conditions will be clean and secure, but basic.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply:
APPLY VIA URL:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...