Islamic Relief Worldwide, Birmingham, with extensive field travel
Applications opened: 13 Feb 2013 | Close: 24 Feb 2013Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is seeking an experienced Security Coordinator to be responsible for maintaining oversight of operational safety and security issues and implementing IRW safety protocols and procedures across IRW’s field and programme locations.
This position is based in Birmingham with a significant period of time spent visiting Field locations and providing support to the regional security teams and other members of IRW’s emergency team. This position will also work closely with the HROD Division on staff security.
The ideal candidates should have extensive security management experience within an INGO setting and qualification in a field related to humanitarian work or security risk management. It is essential that the individual can plan, prioritise, implement and meet targets in a pressurised environment.
JOB PURPOSE
Be a point of contact for issues concerning security worldwide. To oversee and coordinate security efforts across the organisation and to liaise with other parties on the design, implementation, maintenance and monitoring and evaluation of Islamic Relief security policy and strategy
DEPLOYMENT
The post-holder is expected to spend 60+ per cent of his/her time actively engaged in field-based operations. This will include the setting-up and management of the in-county security function.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Regular liaison and engagement with local, national and international security related institutions, and consultants as appropriate for independent security audits.
SCOPE AND AUTHORITY
Scope of the Role: Reporting to the Head of Humanitarian Department the Security Coordinator has responsibility for a network of security officers at field level.
Responsibility for Resources:
Has the responsibility for the safety of staff, beneficiaries, volunteers, consultants and contractors.
Key Accountability 1:
- To oversee a review of the IR security strategy and the security guidelines and manual.
- To oversee the implementation and management of this strategy throughout IR
- To ensure that security training modules are updated and to facilitate and contribute to the delivery of security training as required, ensuring dissemination of good practice to IR staff
- To identify protection goals, objectives and metrics consistent with IRW strategic plan.
Key accountability 2:
- To manage the development and implementation of global security policy, standards, guidelines and procedures to ensure ongoing maintenance of security. Physical protection responsibilities will include individuals (staff, beneficiaries, volunteers, contractors etc) asset protection, workplace violence prevention, access control systems, video surveillance (in some countries) and any additional systems / procedures required. Information protection responsibilities will include network security architecture, network access and monitoring policies, employee education and awareness, and more.
Key Accountability 3:
- To work with country offices and regions to formulate country level security documents and plans
- To oversee and manage a network of security Officers at field level.
- Form systems to monitor and evaluate these security incidents and implementation of office plans
- To identify protection goals and objectives consistent with country security plans
- To act as the reference point for any security incidents in the field where necessary
- To work as security focal point for disaster response and emergency operations
Key Accountability 4:
- To travel to the field as part of a Disaster Response team where required
- To ensure that Islamic Relief operations don’t impact negatively on the personal security of IR staff or beneficiaries
Key Accountability 5:
- Maintain relationships with local, national and international security related institutions
- To participate in cross unit and organisational meetings and working groups.
Key Accountability 6:
- To prepare reports on Islamic Relief security procedures and operations
- To oversee incident reporting, response planning as well as the investigation of security breaches, and assist with disciplinary and legal matters associated with such breaches as necessary.
- To work with outside consultants as appropriate for independent security audits.
Key Accountability 7:
- All security efforts must compliment the organisations core values.
- To work with other departments to prioritise security initiatives and spending based on appropriate risk management and/or financial methodology.
- To carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with this post as requested by the head of the humanitarian department.
- Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with the Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to Islamic Relief Worldwide’s vision and mission.
Essential:
- Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications
- Ability to plan, prioritise, implement and meet targets in a pressurised environment whilst producing efficient work with minimum support
- Ability to work independently and on own initiative
- Ability to advise staff on security topics
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Managing conflicting demands from different staff groups within a highly complex organization
- Good knowledge of good and best practices
- Well developed IT skills
- Ability to supervise junior and senior staff
- Extremely high standard of communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
- Able to analyse and solve problem from complex information and make an informed decisions
- Good organisational skills
- Understanding of importance of, and ensuring the maintenance of confidentiality and discretion at all times
- Qualification in related field
- Five years of security experience in an INGO setting
- Experience in forming security strategies for a large institution
- Working experience outside Europe preferably in Africa, Asia, Middle East and or Eastern Europe
- Experience of successfully managing workload, prioritising tasks and allocating time to different activities
- Experience being part of an emergency mission in a security role
- Experience of undertaking a range of tasks requiring a high degree of discretion, sensitivity and negotiating skills
- Experience with business continuity planning, auditing, and risk management, as well as contract and vendor negotiation.
- Aptitude for quickly grasping new technical concepts
- Ability and motivation to travel in UK and internationally
- Up to date knowledge of current practice and research relating to NGOs and security
- Languages relevant to the regions Islamic relief work in
- Post graduate qualification is preferable
Location: International Office, Birmingham extensive travel
Contract: One Year Fixed Year
Ref: SC/HD-IPD/0213
Closing Date: 24 February 2013
For further information or to apply for this position, please contact recruitment@irworldwide.org or visit the Islamic Relief website.