Mar 24, 2012

Security Coordinator - Kabul Afghanistan

Organisation: Solidarites International
Application deadline: 9 May 2012

Context of Intervention
Solidarités International has been working in Afghanistan for over 30 years. It is currently implementing Food Security, Emergency, and WaSH programs in the Provinces of Kabul, Bamyan, and Samangan. A new program in river basin management may mean the opening of a new base in Baghlan Province. Other initiatives may mean expansion into new areas where we have not worked before.

The mission is composed of five main bases (1 coordination office in Kabul, and 4 operations offices in Kabul, Saighan, Yakawalang and Doab). In addition, SI has offices in Ayback and Bamyan center for its ERM teams and for representation.

The mission currently has 13 expatriates and 135 national staff, but this will increase with the reopening of our 3 northern bases (and potential new ones).

The Security Coordinator will be posted in Kabul with frequent field visits to existing bases and potentially to new areas (upon validation of the Head of Mission).

Position:
The Security Coordinator supports the Head of Mission, the Field Coordinators and the Base Managers with the security management of the team and its assets.

He/she assists with collecting information, the analysis of this information within a security context and establishing appropriate measures.
He/she also assists with team training and awareness in security management.
He/she is a key player in the management of security crises.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Analysis of the security situation/collecting information:
. Ensure the monitoring and analysis of political and military strategies of armed groups and militia in the area
. Define the appropriate security strategy in accordance with identified risks
. Conduct security evaluations of new SI intervention sectors and propose specific security measures for the zones where the program is opening
. Assist the teams with opening and securing new bases or closing existing bases
. Conduct evaluations of the roads and airports used by the teams and select airline companies
. Improve the system of collecting and capitalizing information. Develop a network of contacts
. Approve travel requests for teams in the field and report to the head of mission with any likely security concerns
. Establish and maintain contact with local authorities, armed forces and tribal chiefs for all matters relating to security and support the teams during sensitive negotiations
. Take part in inter-agency coordination meetings for security-related matters

Establish and monitor security procedures:
. Establish and update the security guide for each base, as well as the evacuation and confinement procedures
. Train and make the teams aware of security issues
. Define the content of security briefings for expatriates arriving at the mission
. Ensure that SI buildings are secured
. With logistics, ensure the presence, the working order and correct use of communication material and ensure communication procedures and protocol are adhered to
. Ensure the organization of security surveillance as specified in the security guidelines

Crisis management:
. Carry out the direct management of security incidents. Implement measures to safeguard the physical well-being of the SI teams
. Manage phases of confinement, closure and relocation or evacuation of the bases or the country
. Draw up incident reports


CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education:
- A security-related degree/qualification or equivalent experience
- Advanced training in security (military, police, or similar)

Experience:
- Substantial security experience, ideally in an overseas NGO environment, but certainly in insecure developing countries (UN experience a plus)
- Proven experience in crisis management (to include hostage negotiation)
- Experience of managing and training multinational security teams
- Strong personnel management experience (both expatriates and local staff)
- Supportive personal management style, with the ability to build capacity
- Strong leadership skills
- Flexibility and ability to work within different and difficult cultural and political environments
- Ability to adapt to isolated and insecure environments
- An understanding of, and commitment to, Solidarités International's mission and values

Technical skills and knowledge:
- Strong knowledge of complex security environments
- An ability to analyze sometimes conflicting information quickly and accurately
- A superlative understanding of security management
- Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
- Good problem-solving skills in crisis situations
- Ability to write/edit quality reports in English (French a plus)
- Ability to liaise, local authorities, NGOs, other agencies and donors
- Ability to take decisions and work autonomously
- Familiar with HF/ VHF radio networks, BGAN, and satellite communication systems

Languages:
- Fluent in English (French a plus)
- Dari / Pashtun a plus

Other desirable qualities:
- Previous experience in Afghanistan
- Previous experience with SI


CONDITIONS

Salaried post: from 1700 euros gross per month, according to experience, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 500 USD.

Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate's home country to the site of the assignment.

- Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

- Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 15-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).


DURATION : 12 months, beginning as soon as possible.

Contact details
Please send us a CV and cover letter, either through our website or by clicking here.