Security Officer , Burundi (short term contract)

Employer: War Child Holland
Location: Bujumbura Burundi
Closing date: 01 Feb 2016
“A hands-on security officer with excellent communication and analytical skills, fluent in French”
War Child programme in Burundi

War Child has been working in Burundi since 2008 through partners, and is currently implementing psychosocial, child protection and education programmes through a community based and child rights approach. Its use of creative methods across all the activities significantly contribute to the psychosocial wellbeing of children and young people who have suffered from almost 15 years of civil war. War Child is one of the few international child protection NGOs with a strong presence in the war torn Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, Cibitoke and Bururi provinces.

The Burundi programme will support options for cooperation and exchange with War Child offices in the Great Lakes Region (Uganda, D.R. Congo). War Child is committed to add value to the development of a sustainable programme which suits the local needs and works closely with Burundian local organisations and relevant government institutions.
Your challenge

You play a key role in the operationalisation of security plans across the Burundi mission. In close collaboration with the Country Management Team members you will assist in the management of security of the mission. As the Security Officer you provide risk management guidance, advise on the upgrading and implementation of safety and security policies, protocols, plans and resources. You are based at the country office in Bujumbura, with regular travel to different field locations. You report to the Operation Support Manager.

Your main tasks and responsibilities
1 Implementation of security policy
Ensure that all field staff are aware of and understand relevant safety and security concerns and are fully advised on measures they can take to reduce personal and team vulnerability;
Ensure understanding of and compliance with War Child security and safety policies, protocols and plans;
Monitor the security preparedness of staff and work closely with the Country Management Team members to enforce staff compliance with security policies;
Provide ongoing security guidance to and identify security capacity-building opportunities for staff members to increase overall team resilience to insecurity;
Assist logistics and administrative staff in identifying physical upgrades needed to facilities or vehicles, and provide support in developing capacity to procure and use any security or safety resources/equipment needed;
Oversee the development and implementation of tailored crisis response exercises related to potential risk factors that may affect War Child’s operation in Burundi;

2 Security information analysis and sharing
Establish, develop and leverage a diverse network of reliable sources to obtain credible and up-to-date security and threat information from multiple local, national, regional and global resources as it applies or could apply to project sites;
Participate in relevant in-country security activities and meetings;
Provide frequent security briefings to all staff and visitors;
Communicate key updates and provide trend and pattern analysis to inform any changes to movement, operations or staff conduct;
Ensure analysis and all security related information is promulgated through to all internal stake-holders.
Make frequent site visits to conduct assessments and monitor the impact and viability of recommendations made;
Facilitate internal security-related discussions and workshops with staff to stimulate internal information sharing and respond to concerns or questions staff might have.

3 Risk mitigation and management
Conduct ongoing threat analysis, advising on all aspects of the security management framework for War Child Burundi, including pro-active recommend mitigation measures;
Ensure roles and responsibilities related to safety and security are clearly identified, communicated to, and understood by all staff members;
In consultation with the Country Management Team, develop facility and site incident management plans, including contingency plans, evacuation plans, hibernation plans, and remote management plans;
Act as the focal point for all security-related ICT systems, including SMS incident notifications, satellite phone oversight, GPS tracking, and emergency mobile credit distribution;
Serve as information-gathering focal point in the event of an incident;
Ensure internal incident reporting systems are understood, used, and responsive to ongoing developments; incorporate lessons learned into staff capacity-building efforts.

4 Other tasks
As a member of War Child Burundi Operations team, assist in managing logistics, including procurement and ICT.

Profile
5 years experience managing/ advising on security with (I)NGOs or UN agencies in emergency response settings;
Fluent in French and English (verbal and written);
Advance Training certificate in first aid, security, emergency response, logistics and/ or related field;
Hands-on knowledge of security tools and equipment’s use and maintenance;
Proven understanding of humanitarian and human rights safety principles;
Sensitivity to balancing security with low-profile operations for organizations whose work relies on building trust with local communities;
Strong analytical skills and sound judgment, with the ability to meaningfully synthesize diverse and complex information from a wide range of sources and to develop clear and actionable recommendations based on that information;
Ability to set up or adapt viable security systems and frameworks in a context of unpredictable or rapidly evolving threats;
Track record in successfully building the capacity of multi-disciplinary teams in multi-cultural settings;
Ability to travel to the remote field sites, up to 60% of work time.

Job Location: 

Bujumbura, Burundi, with frequent travels –up to 60% of the time- in Bubanza, Cibitoke, Bururi and Bujumbura rural provinces where most of the activities are implemented.

Contract: 6 months contract

Starting date: a.s.a.p.

War Child offers a challenging job, within an inspiring and motivated team of people and the backup of a strong and professional organisation in The Netherlands. War Child offers good remuneration and excellent benefits. Please visit our website www.warchildholland.org for more information on the organisation and the programme.


How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to send a CV and a letter of motivation before 1 February 2016. Make sure to use the following hyperlink to apply:http://warchild.onlinevacatures.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/58469

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The safety of children is essential to War Child. War Child does not tolerate or accept any form of abuse.This subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures.