Program Advisor High Security Environments

Employer: Mercy Corps
Location: Turkey Gaziantep
Job Description
The Program Advisor High Security Environment (PA) is a member of the
program’s Security Management Team (SMT) The PA is expected to know and understand all Mercy Corps programs, and activities in the region and specifically to help guide, advise and support the life-saving services to communities amidst the complexities of the ongoing conflict. This will be done through coordination with the Security Analyst, program operations teams and under the leadership of the Security Director. The primary responsibility of the PA is to monitor the security environment and ensure the Mercy Corps posture is appropriate and adequate for the delivery of humanitarian aid within this context. The PA is expected to follow the ongoing conflict and safety/security information in Mercy Corps AOR, advise, implement and follow-up/monitor all practical, security precautionary measures, SOPs and contingency planning. The PA will ensure that a reporting system for all incidents is in place with a timely alarm system of Flash Reports as well as documentation required for longer-term analysis. The PA will also coordinate with the INGO Security focal point and other Security focal points in INGOs and security companies. The PA will be requested to brief regional management and security teams from time-to-time.
The PA does not have the authority to suspend operations, impose procedures or evacuate staff, but rather will advance best practices through advisories, critical analysis and predictions based on the conflict, demographics and historical context, will support training programs, provide frequent briefings and critical analysis to program staff, and give technical advice and support for improved assessments and planning.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Security Systems:

• Activities will be in the context of Mercy Corps’ acceptance-based security approach and humanitarian programming.
• Stay abreast of the security situation and proactively apply this knowledge management with analysis, guidance and advice programmatic and operational responses.
• Stay abreast of Mercy Corps program activities and develop and deliver security guidance, training materials and contingency plans to support these activities and program objectives.
• Coach and mentor local security team members to effectively fulfill their operational role in the Mercy Corps security management strategy. Develop a work plan that can be remotely managed.
• Be responsible for ensuring all security planning is up-to-date, relevant, documented and communicated. This includes Risk Assessments, SOPs, contingency and HER planning.
• Maintain a log of all incidents effecting Mercy Corps and coordinate with others on the Security and Safety team in mapping and analyzing.
• Attend or follow the 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 local actors to develop and review contingency planning in each location.
• Advise the Security Director on a comprehensive safety and security training plan and portfolio.
• Oversee the implementation of this with both direct and hired consultants.
• Coordinate with HR to ensure logs are maintained in personnel files. 
• Ensure all new staff and visitors are provided quality and thorough orientation and briefings.  
• Ensure each field office and program operations are meeting the Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) through effective planning and SOPs.
• Advise on budgeting needs for security and ensure this is communicated to program management and the Syria Security Coordinator.
• Execute incident and crisis management exercises for all staff and management.
• Establish and develop a Security Telephone Tree for all locations in consultation with others.
• Look into training needs of staff especially Drivers and Guards in consultation with Heads of Office and Operations teams.
• Ensure a staff and vehicle tracking plan is in place and operational.
• Ensure testing and training of communication equipment.

 Coordination & Support:

• Place high value on inter-agency coordination in security; encourage Mercy Corps field-level coordination in the NGO community.
• Seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation.
• Develop and engage Mercy Corps’ internal network of Security Focal Points and encourage inter-communications between them.
• Pursue opportunities to engage others in community in creative solutions to security challenges through collaborative efforts.
• Fill-in and support security management during times of increased need staffing gaps.

Organizational Learning:
Mercy Corp expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Security Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Team Leaders, Head of Offices, SFPs, Program Managers, Operations Manager
COLLABORATES WITH: All Mercy Corps colleagues. Works within agency parameters of impartiality and independence.

 KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree in a related field: (BA/BSc or equivalent Military College) in relevant field; or equivalent work experience: security qualification or advanced security management training
• Advanced level of understanding with the philosophy and mode of operation of NGOs
• 5 years field-based experience in complex and insecure settings and preferably a conflict environment, preferably, in more than one country with large teams of staff.
• Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military government authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions
• Experience with incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation and analysis functions, set up and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), compilation of security reports and assessments
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments
• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other database/mapping systems
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken is required; ability to speak Arabic is strongly preferred
• Knowledge and understanding of the Middle East region
• Capacity to train and effectively provide trainings to all staff
• Formal training qualifications (HEAT, K&R, Personal Security, First Aid etc)

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will have the ability to see and communicate security trends at a local and regional level in a way that effectively increases safety, security and ability to meet humanitarian needs. Maintaining strong, cooperative relationships with other departments is crucial. A successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity and demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The candidate will ensure a high degree of professionalism and neutrality when it comes to implementing the response.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This unaccompanied position will be based in Gaziantep, Turkey. The location will be unaccompanied and is eligible for Rest & Relaxation benefits only.  A shared apartment is provided and there is access to good medical services. This position requires (20% of time) of travel by vehicle to field offices and partner agencies in some less secure environments.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.


To apply please go to  http://bit.ly/1rk0i4q