Employer: Mercy Corps
Location: South Sudan
Closing date November 10, 2015
** This is a four month role with possible extension. **
Mercy Corps seeks a resourceful Safety and Security Manager (SSM) to assist with the growing complexity of programmes in South Sudan. This exciting time will require a resourceful and proven security manager who has experience in complex emergencies. SSM is a member of the country’s senior leadership team (SLT). The SSM is expected to support operations of the fleet and premises – integrating security practices in to these functions through standards, training and other support.
The system of security will 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 organisations. It is expected that the SSM will develop, coach and work with the Security Management Teams (SMTs) in each sub office to become a functional structure that helps reduce the risk to Mercy Corps’ staff, programmes and image. 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.
The SSM will also build the capacity of the national staff through targeted skills building to improve their ability to analyse and respond to security information and events. S/he will provide support and advise the Country Director and other team members on safety and security issues, including where to implement programmes and projects and how best to ensure the safety and security of Mercy Corps colleagues.
The SSM will proactively provide the SLT management with analysis of incidents, current political, military or other, significant events that affect Mercy Corps programming and safety. The SSM is expected to know programme activities, objectives and give guidance and advice to country management team on the safe implementation in an acceptance-based strategy.
Closing date November 10, 2015
** This is a four month role with possible extension. **
Mercy Corps seeks a resourceful Safety and Security Manager (SSM) to assist with the growing complexity of programmes in South Sudan. This exciting time will require a resourceful and proven security manager who has experience in complex emergencies. SSM is a member of the country’s senior leadership team (SLT). The SSM is expected to support operations of the fleet and premises – integrating security practices in to these functions through standards, training and other support.
The system of security will 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 organisations. It is expected that the SSM will develop, coach and work with the Security Management Teams (SMTs) in each sub office to become a functional structure that helps reduce the risk to Mercy Corps’ staff, programmes and image. 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.
The SSM will also build the capacity of the national staff through targeted skills building to improve their ability to analyse and respond to security information and events. S/he will provide support and advise the Country Director and other team members on safety and security issues, including where to implement programmes and projects and how best to ensure the safety and security of Mercy Corps colleagues.
The SSM will proactively provide the SLT management with analysis of incidents, current political, military or other, significant events that affect Mercy Corps programming and safety. The SSM is expected to know programme activities, objectives and give guidance and advice to country management team on the safe implementation in an acceptance-based strategy.
PROGRAMME/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
Mercy Corps has been operational in South Sudan since 2005 and is currently engaged in series of development and resiliency programming in the north of the country. Yet since the outbreak of fighting on December 15, 2013, Mercy Corps is launching emergency programming throughout its four current areas of operation. South Sudan is currently in the midst a major humanitarian crisis impacting the entire country. The main thrust of the work of Mercy Corps along with her national and international partners for the next foreseeable future (12 to 14 months), is focused on meeting the urgent humanitarian needs across the country. As the complexity of the crisis unfolds and unleashes itself on millions of people, the heightened insecurity and continuous acts of violence and war are making the humanitarian response not only more challenging but also highly complicated, with battle lines changing on a weekly basis, making places that are safe one week, unsafe areas the next week and vice versa.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Security Systems & Capacity Building
Stay abreast of the security situation in South Sudan and proactively apply this knowledge to programme management with analysis, guidance and advice programmatic and operational responses.
Stay abreast of Mercy Corps programme activities and develop and deliver security guidance, training materials and contingency plans to support these activities and programme objectives.
Responsible for Flash Reports of security events and immediate Manager and to all team members.
Respond to all critical incidents and in a reporting role / with coordination with the Country Director.
Conducts Risk Assessments and assigns a risk rating with mitigation strategies for each work location.
Conducts routine security visits with audits to all work locations.
Will update and implement a relevant, Security Management Plan for each location.
Coach and mentor local SFPs to fulfill his/her role as the operational arm of the Mercy Corps security management strategy in RSS. Develop a work plan that can be remotely monitored by the Global SA and SRC.
Chair bi-weekly SSMT (Safety and Security Management) meetings in each office and delegate when impossible to attend. Coach SSMTs 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 programmes to progress safely and with the lowest risk possible.
Utilise existing tools including analysis tools, briefing documents and draft SOPs.
Work with management and local actors to develop and review contingency planning in each location.
Work with the respective teams at all locations and support staff in implementing country-wide training and orientation plans. This will focus on both the orientations to all new staff/consultants and visitors.
Identify training and refresher workshops to include security awareness as an essential part of programme 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.
Testing, issuing and training on communication equipment.
Any other duties which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for Mercy Corps staff and properties
Develop and engage Mercy Corps’ internal network of Security Focal Points.
Logistics Support
Support for the Mercy Corps fleet in Sudan and drivers; including maintenance, scheduling, training and performance as per discussed and planned with country manager.
Ensure a staff and vehicle tracking system is in place. Monitor all inter-city travel.
Ensure a trip-ticket system is used (with SSM approval) for all inter-city travel.
Ensure the compound and all premises locations are of standard and meeting minimum requirements for security and safety standards.
Prepare PR and materials requests for any security or safety related upgrades.
Ensure safety features are in place for each vehicle and location with first aid and fire safety equipment.
Coordination and Representation
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).
Organisational Learning
As part of our commitment to organisational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organisations 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
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director South Sudan
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Operations Manager, Head of Offices, programme Managers, Finance Manager, Regional Security Manager
COLLABORATES WITH: All Mercy Corps colleagues
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelors degree in a related field -or- equivalent
Formal security qualification or advanced security management training
Advanced level of understanding with the philosophy and mode of operation of NGOs
3- 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 of 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 programmes and ensuring the most effective support to line management
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching and ability to work in with team from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Excellent planning, coordination and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities, and present complex information in succinct and compelling manner
Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams in the event of emergencies
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 East Africa and South Sudan
Ability to speak Arabic is strongly preferred
SUCCESS FACTORS
Ability to problem solve is critical, including the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programmes 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 programme 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 unaccompanied position will be based in Juba with up to 50% travel to the other field offices. While conditions in the country are improving, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity. Mercy Corps’ offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored. Conflict and corruption have held back any real country infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to move between cities; especially during the rainy season. Telephone lines, electricity and other infrastructure are almost non-existent in most parts of the country.
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.