Employer: Mission East
Location / department: Mission East (ME) Erbil, Nothern Iraq – Frequent travel to all programme locations (Duhok Governorate, Sinjar and Kirkuk Governorate)
Closing date January 20, 2016
Length of contract: 6 months, with possibility to renew.
Responsible to: Country Director (CD), Iraq
Line Management: There is no direct line management, but this position indirectly supervises all relevant staff at the Country Office in Erbil and in the sub offices in governorates of ME operation, particularly the Team Leaders and Logistic Officer/Assistants.
This will require close coordination on a horizontal level with senior management and key programme staff within the ME Iraq team. The advisor will be a key member of the Country Management Team (CMT) in Iraq.
Background:
Mission East, founded in Denmark in 1991, is an international humanitarian and development organisation undertaking disaster relief and development programmes in Asia.
Mission East worked in Dohuk from 2003-2005. In response to the recent IDP crisis Mission East has re-established a presence in Iraq in September 2014 in order to provide emergency assistance for displaced people.
Our current programme in Iraq focusses on psychosocial support, shelter, non-food items, WASH, and cash assistance in Dohuk, Ninewa and Kirkuk Governorates.
More information on Mission East can be found at: http://www.missioneast.org
Overall responsibility:
The Security and Logistics Adviser’s role is to provide leadership in the development and management of the country programme’s safety and security strategy and to provide support to the country operations for the management of security, logistics and risk issues.
Key tasks and responsibilities:
Provide timely and practical security information to the senior management and staff which includes analysis identifying key personal security aspects, implications on access (present and future) and possible impacts on organizational reputation.
Consult with the Team Leader/ Project Manager and other staff members as necessary to discuss the security situation of potential distribution sites and other areas targeted for programming.
Promote a strong safety culture as part of management of overall programme
Ensure operational security systems and protocols through Standard Operating Procedures, contingency plans and other procedural documentations are kept up to date, relevant, complied with and regularly tested, in close cooperation with national security focal points.
Lead response to security crises and incidents.
Monitor, respond to and communicate to staff on relevant security issues. Includes: maintaining up to date general context analysis, specific area risk analysis; reports to senior management on incidents, trends and risks.
Effectively convey procedures to staff and supervise their implementation to include, though not limited to, presentations and conducting drills..
Build national staff capacity to produce documented assessments and proactively engage security requirements which improve the minimum operating standards.
Coordinate and provide security training and briefing for all field staff, both national and international, making sure that staffs (and visitors) understand the relevance of risk and security management and their role.
Coordinates with relevant security actors across the sector (INSO, government, UN, other NGOs, both international and local, Security and Logistics clusters, diplomatic missions, etc.) for mutual support in data collection and analysis and response to crises and risk situations.
Advise Country Director and Team Leaders as requested on logistics issues, including logistics staff management, transport/fleet management, facilities management, communications systems and procurement.
Build national staff capacity as requested on logistics management.
Support Mission East’s global understanding and learning from the practical and effective management of risk
Conduct and document security assessments as required of office spaces, guesthouses and project sites and oversee implementation of mitigation measures.
Assess training needs then develop and ensure the delivery of relevant security trainings to staff members, partner NGO and drivers.
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications Required
Minimum 3 years of experience from working as a Security Manager in a hostile environments / conflict- afflicted areas within humanitarian/recovery context
In depth knowledge of risk management and associated principles is essential
Strong analytical skills with commensurate writing ability to provide practical situational and conflict analysis that effectively enable safe access.
Thorough understanding of the implementation of a Security and Safety Management Framework (SMF) and all related processes and procedures
Understanding of major incident response mechanisms during crises (especially of hostage crises)
University degree in relevant discipline
Previous experience working in Iraq would be an advantage
Knowledge of first aid
Necessary Skills and Competencies
Proven networking and relationship building skills
Analytical and communication skills for: the analysis of context and management acceptance; the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and related documentation
Demonstrable Monitoring and Evaluation skills for a dynamic safety and security environment
Ability to assess and coordinate an effective decision making for response under pressure and at very short notice
Ability to develop and deliver relevant trainings to mixed ability groups sometimes through interpreters
Computer literate, able to use all common software packages
Be able to understand how to relate to all levels of Mission East’s communities and to respect local customs and protocols
Be able to diffuse tensions and remain calm at all times and particularly following an incident
Be cross-culturally adept
Be able to avoid the typical barriers that develop between local and expatriate communities and colleague through an approachable, empathetic and open style
Be sensitive to Mission East’s values
Be able to encourage, motivate and guide team members to approach safety and security issues with confidence especially during crises
Be able to communicate effectively across Mission East’s management structures
Be flexible to travel at short notice to difficult and risky areas. The position is expected to have considerable travelling demands.
Languages
Excellent command of English, both written and verbal.
Some knowledge of Kurdish and Arabic would be an asset.
How to apply
To apply for this post please visit www.missioneast.org/vacancies, where you will be able to complete an application form.
Please ensure that all sections are fully answered as candidates will be initially screened using data submitted on the online form. Deadline for this position is 20/01/2016.