Closing date: 09 Sep 2012
Mercy Corps
The security context in Yemen is very challenging with limited government control over rural, tribal areas, an extremely volatile political environment and ongoing protests and disgruntlement related to unfulfilled demands from over a year of protests. Kidnapping always has been – and continues – to be a major threat to foreigners in Yemen and Aid Workers are not exempt from this. In addition to this with the breakdown in rule of law across the country, there are heightened criminal activities (armed criminal gangs) which could directly impact the working of Mercy Corps in Yemen.
This expansion, in the Yemen context, requires our program team to be extremely savvy and having a high-level of security awareness. Yemen is also a young Mercy Corps country program with newly recruited team members and a Government Liaison and Security Advisor (GLSA).
General Position Summary:
The Safety & Security Manager (SSM) is a member of the country’s senior leadership team (SLT). The Security Manager is responsible for all security and safety functions in Yemen including training of all staff and partners in safety and security, coaching and mentoring the Govt Liaison and Security Advisor (national staff), training and mentoring the Security Focal Points in Aden and Taiz (national staff), working closely with the Mercy Corps Global Security Advisor and Regional security teams and members. The SSM will also coordinate with the INGO Security focal point and other Security focal points in Embassies, INGOs and Security companies.
S/he will provide support and advise the Country Director and other team members on safety and security issues, including where to implement programs and projects and how best to ensure the safety and security of Mercy Corps colleagues.
The SSM has the primary responsibility of strengthening the in-country safety & security systems and build the capacity of the GLSA to be at the high-standard required for safe operations. In addition, the Country Office is planning to hire 2 additional colleagues (one in Taiz and one in Aden) who would be the SFP (Security Focal Points) at these locations and would work under the direct report of the HoO but will have links and support with the GLSA.
This system of safety & 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 organizations.
It is expected that the SSM will develop, coach and work with the GLSA and Security Management Teams (SMT) in each Mercy Corps Yemen office to become a functional structure that helps reduce the risk to Mercy Corps’ staff, programs and image. Plus the SSM will also link closely with the Global Security Advisor of Mercy Corps and other colleagues in the region and around the world.
• 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 GLSA 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.
The most critical outcome of this assignment will be the incorporation of security planning and awareness into program planning and this will require trainings of all staff.
The SSM will also build the capacity of the GLSA to carry on this critical work with an orientation to Mercy Corps systems and targeted skills building to improve to fulfill responsibilities in analyzing and responding to security information and events.
Lastly, the SSM will support the Country Director in creating a central, Country Security Management Team and strengthening the communications, security protocols and documentation protocols.
Essential job functions::
All activities will be implemented jointly with the GLSA and SFPs with the intent of developing the GLSA to fulfill these and other, future strategies related to the security of the Mercy Corps Yemen team.
Security Systems
• Coach the GLSA to fulfill his/her role as the operational arm of the Mercy Corps security management strategy in Yemen. Develop a work plan that can be remotely monitored by the YSA and Country Director;
• 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;
• Work with management and GLSA to develop and review contingency planning in each office.
• Conduct a security review of existing and proposed programs with program staff and management in the context of the security environment in Yemen. Ensure this critical skill is transferred to local and international staff.
• Work with the GLSA 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. It will also identify 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.
• 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.
• Strategic Anchoring. Work with CD, Head of Offices and GLSA on the model of acceptance and how best to work in tandem to ensure programmatic activities and field based colleagues establish the bases of strategic anchoring within the communities;
• Tribal Mapping (IASO and Save the Children example)
• Develop and upgrade hibernation and evacuation SOPs. GLSA to coordinate with INGO Form to provide consultant with the templates and then work with the consultant and Head of Offices to reflect the realities of Mercy Corps in Yemen at the 3 different locations;
• Establish and develop a Security Telephone Tree for all 3 locations in consultation with GLSA, CD and Head of Offices;
• Look into training needs of staff especially Drivers and Guards in consultation with GLSA. Plus meet with the security company representatives in Aden, Taiz and Sana’a;
• Facilitate GLSA in establishing protocols and reporting of incidents and tracking of incidents;
• Testing of communication equipment;
• Vehicle tracking system;
• Any other duties which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for Mercy Corps staff and properties;
How to apply:
Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
Mercy Corps
The security context in Yemen is very challenging with limited government control over rural, tribal areas, an extremely volatile political environment and ongoing protests and disgruntlement related to unfulfilled demands from over a year of protests. Kidnapping always has been – and continues – to be a major threat to foreigners in Yemen and Aid Workers are not exempt from this. In addition to this with the breakdown in rule of law across the country, there are heightened criminal activities (armed criminal gangs) which could directly impact the working of Mercy Corps in Yemen.
This expansion, in the Yemen context, requires our program team to be extremely savvy and having a high-level of security awareness. Yemen is also a young Mercy Corps country program with newly recruited team members and a Government Liaison and Security Advisor (GLSA).
General Position Summary:
The Safety & Security Manager (SSM) is a member of the country’s senior leadership team (SLT). The Security Manager is responsible for all security and safety functions in Yemen including training of all staff and partners in safety and security, coaching and mentoring the Govt Liaison and Security Advisor (national staff), training and mentoring the Security Focal Points in Aden and Taiz (national staff), working closely with the Mercy Corps Global Security Advisor and Regional security teams and members. The SSM will also coordinate with the INGO Security focal point and other Security focal points in Embassies, INGOs and Security companies.
S/he will provide support and advise the Country Director and other team members on safety and security issues, including where to implement programs and projects and how best to ensure the safety and security of Mercy Corps colleagues.
The SSM has the primary responsibility of strengthening the in-country safety & security systems and build the capacity of the GLSA to be at the high-standard required for safe operations. In addition, the Country Office is planning to hire 2 additional colleagues (one in Taiz and one in Aden) who would be the SFP (Security Focal Points) at these locations and would work under the direct report of the HoO but will have links and support with the GLSA.
This system of safety & 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 organizations.
It is expected that the SSM will develop, coach and work with the GLSA and Security Management Teams (SMT) in each Mercy Corps Yemen office to become a functional structure that helps reduce the risk to Mercy Corps’ staff, programs and image. Plus the SSM will also link closely with the Global Security Advisor of Mercy Corps and other colleagues in the region and around the world.
• 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 GLSA 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.
The most critical outcome of this assignment will be the incorporation of security planning and awareness into program planning and this will require trainings of all staff.
The SSM will also build the capacity of the GLSA to carry on this critical work with an orientation to Mercy Corps systems and targeted skills building to improve to fulfill responsibilities in analyzing and responding to security information and events.
Lastly, the SSM will support the Country Director in creating a central, Country Security Management Team and strengthening the communications, security protocols and documentation protocols.
Essential job functions::
All activities will be implemented jointly with the GLSA and SFPs with the intent of developing the GLSA to fulfill these and other, future strategies related to the security of the Mercy Corps Yemen team.
Security Systems
• Coach the GLSA to fulfill his/her role as the operational arm of the Mercy Corps security management strategy in Yemen. Develop a work plan that can be remotely monitored by the YSA and Country Director;
• 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;
• Work with management and GLSA to develop and review contingency planning in each office.
• Conduct a security review of existing and proposed programs with program staff and management in the context of the security environment in Yemen. Ensure this critical skill is transferred to local and international staff.
• Work with the GLSA 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. It will also identify 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.
• 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.
• Strategic Anchoring. Work with CD, Head of Offices and GLSA on the model of acceptance and how best to work in tandem to ensure programmatic activities and field based colleagues establish the bases of strategic anchoring within the communities;
• Tribal Mapping (IASO and Save the Children example)
• Develop and upgrade hibernation and evacuation SOPs. GLSA to coordinate with INGO Form to provide consultant with the templates and then work with the consultant and Head of Offices to reflect the realities of Mercy Corps in Yemen at the 3 different locations;
• Establish and develop a Security Telephone Tree for all 3 locations in consultation with GLSA, CD and Head of Offices;
• Look into training needs of staff especially Drivers and Guards in consultation with GLSA. Plus meet with the security company representatives in Aden, Taiz and Sana’a;
• Facilitate GLSA in establishing protocols and reporting of incidents and tracking of incidents;
• Testing of communication equipment;
• Vehicle tracking system;
• Any other duties which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for Mercy Corps staff and properties;
How to apply:
Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...