Oct 29, 2014

Safety & Security Manager

Employer: Last Mile Health
Location: Liberia
Closing date: 30 Nov 2014
About Last Mile Health: Founded by survivors of Liberia’s civil war, Last Mile Health (LMH) is committed to saving lives in the world’s most remote villages. Working in remote jungle communities cut off from even basic life-saving health services, LMH is building a health system that reaches everyone—by bringing health care to villagers’ doorsteps. We train community members to be health practitioners for their villages and then we connect them with rural health clinics to offer every person access to the care they deserve. These Frontline Health Workers are able to prevent, diagnose, and treat the top ten most life-threatening health conditions.

Over the past six months, a historic outbreak of the Ebola virus has devastated Liberia and has tragically demonstrated that weak, inequitable health systems leave us all vulnerable. To match a historic crisis with a historic response, LMH is partnering with Boston-based Partners in Health (PIH) to launch a significant expansion of LMH’s model, integrated with a package of Ebola treatment and hospital strengthening efforts led by PIH. The goal of this project is to deploy a comprehensive health system—from life-saving essential primary care services in remote communities to strong inpatient Ebola and tertiary care in regional hospitals—for approximately 150,000 rural Liberians, while working in close collaboration with the Liberian government to sustain that system and ultimately expand it to the rest of the country over the coming years.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Safety & Security Manager (SSM) is responsible for managing all safety & security systems for Last Mile Health in Liberia. The SSM will work closely with LMH Executive Managing Director, Liberia Country Director (CD) and the Liberia Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in developing and implementing Liberia-specific policies and procedures, including security management plans and biohazard protocols. The SSM, while based in the capital city of Monrovia, will supervise the Grand Gedeh-based Security Officer (SO) and provide capacity-building as well as mentoring and technical support to the Security Focal Points (SFPs) in the field offices. Moreover, the SSM will provide (or arrange for) necessary training of all LMH staff and partners. He/she also will assist program teams in incorporating security planning and awareness into program planning. In addition, the SSM will work closely with the Boston-based, Executive Managing Director for LMH to ensure international employees and guests of LMH are prepared to enter Liberia. The SSM will also coordinate with external groups based in Liberia working on safety and security matters (i.e. Liberian National Government, United Nations and other security focal points in INGOs, Embassies, etc.) to ensure LMH is in compliance with national and international standards and abreast of the latest developments regarding all safety and security matters in Liberia.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Security information & analysis

· Work with Security Focal Points (SFPs) in Grand Gedeh, Heads of Office and the Senior Leadership Team to monitor the security environment in Liberia.

· Prepare analytical reports, based on information from internal and external sources, to support policy and procedure reviews as well as to mitigate risks to programming.

· Prepare weekly security brief and share with all relevant staff, including international staff and SFPs.

· Be readily available at all times to the Country Director, LMH IMT, and field staff to advise on security developments.

· Coordinate with LMH and external medical experts to implement biohazard protocols.

· Ability to tailor any of the above to the current situation, an Ebola outbreak

Security system management

· Develop, review and ensure effective implementation of the LMH Security Management Plan including a security plan (to include medical evacuation) in each office, together with key actors.

· Develop, review and ensure the effective implementation of hibernation and evacuation SOPs.

· Actively participate in SLT meetings and support members in sharpening their skills in risk and vulnerability assessments, evaluating information and developing security protocols and strategies that work for the team and allow to progress safely and with the lowest risk possible.

· Conduct security assessments in all offices and international staff residences, with recommendations to the Country Director and Incident Management Taskforce (IMT) for any necessary improvements.

· Ensure adequate supply of necessary safety and security-related (medical supplies included) equipment at all offices and international staff residences.

· Ensure that relevant staff members understand and are able to use this equipment, including radios, satellite phones, fire extinguishers, etc.

· Conduct comprehensive security/risk assessment in potential new program/field sites, as necessary.

· Conduct a security review of existing programs, with recommendations regarding necessary changes.

· Implement and ensure effective monitoring of a vehicle tracking system in each office.

· Review and revise incident tracking and reporting protocols, with key stakeholders.

· Prepare and update as necessary emergency ID cards and materials staff must have with them at all times (both full and pocket-sized versions).

· Review and revise security telephone tree for all locations as necessary, with key stakeholders.

· Conduct yearly crisis management exercises for all staff and management.

· Conduct mock drills in all LMH offices (e.g. fire drill, evacuation drill etc.).

· Work with SFPs, Program Managers, Heads of Offices, Director of Programs and CD on community acceptance messaging and strategies.

Staff management and technical support

· Participate in the recruitment and hiring process for the Security Officer, Grand Gedeh, as necessary. Participate in the recruitment and hiring process for field Security Focal Point (SFPs), as necessary.

· Supervise the SO, Grand Gedeh, including setting objectives, developing quarterly work plans, performance evaluation, etc. Assist SFP in developing a monthly/quarterly work plan that can be monitored by the Head of Office, and remotely by SSM and Country Director.

· Mentor the SFPs to fulfill their safety and security responsibilities at the field-level.

· Work with CD to include necessary safety and security information in pre-departure information packages for new international staff and visitors.

· Work with the Human Resources Manager (HRM) to develop and implement security orientation for new staff (international and national) and visitors.

· Work with the HRM to identify security training needs of team members and include security awareness as an essential part of program trainings and refresher workshops.

· Assess the training needs of drivers and guards in consultation with SFPs and Logistics Assistant, Grand Gedeh.

· Ensure appropriate technical support is provided to Field Offices, through responding to phone calls and emails as well as through field visits. Prepare field visit report format (including action plan) and quarterly visit schedule, and share with SFP and each member of the Liberia Senior Leadership Team.

Coordination

· Place high value on inter-agency coordination in security. Actively participate in security coordination activities in Monrovia and encourage SFP and Liberia Senior Leadership Team members to participate in coordination activities at the field-level.

· Actively seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation in security.

· Develop a network of relationships with peers in the humanitarian community (UN, NGO, ICRC, appropriate governmental offices, etc.).

· Develop and engage LMHs’ internal network of SFPs, SO and Senior Leadership Team, and encourage inter-communications between them.

· Pursue opportunities to engage others in our community in creative solutions to our security challenges through collaborative efforts.

· Any other duties, which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for LMH staff members and properties.

Supervisory responsibility: Security Officer, Grand Gedeh

Accountability

Reports directly to: Country Director, Liberia, Executive Managing Director, Boston

Works directly with: Security Focal Points, Liberia Senior Leadership Team, Deputy Country Director, Medical Director, Operations Manager, Finance Director, Director of Programs, LMH Executive Managing Director/COO

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Skills Required:

· Master’s degree preferred in a relevant discipline.

· 3- 5 years field experience in safety and security with a humanitarian or development non-governmental organization, 3 of which in a supervisory role.

· Extensive experience in setting up and managing safety and security systems and protocols and provide training to staff and partners.

· Experience in biosafety protocols and procedures

· Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies. Good context analysis skills.

· Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.

· Effective skills in coordination, organization and prioritization as well as in Microsoft Office applications.

· Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.

· Proven ability to work and solve problems independently without direct supervision.

· Experience living and working in Liberia, or in the West African region, preferred.

· English proficiency required: excellent written and oral skills.

· French proficiency a plus

Success Factors

The Safety and Security Manager (SSM) is responsible for the implementation of security policies, procedures and systems that are appropriate for the conditions in Liberia. Critical is problem solving, and the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds. Maintaining strong cooperative relationships with other departments is crucial. The successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively with national and international staff members and demonstrate ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and provide relevant advice and support in a fluid security environment. The candidate will have a high degree of professionalism and must be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense environment.

Living/Environmental Conditions

This position will be based in Monrovia, Liberia, with frequent travel to field offices and occasional travel to project sites. This position will have the option to reside in LMH group living quarters or receive a living stipend, and is eligible for R&R breaks. Living conditions in the staff house are clean and secure, but basic. LMHs’ offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored. The team member must follow all security protocols at all times. Though the road network is good, fluctuations in the security situation require international staff to generally travel by air on domestic airlines or helicopters. There is a landline telephone system as well as reliable cellular phone system in most of Liberia. Some rural areas do not have phone access. Internet is available in the office and staff houses.

LMH Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and LMHs’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Commitment: Minimum 6-month commitment (12-month commitment preferred)

Location: Monrovia, Liberia

Compensation: Commiserate with experience; additional benefits including health insurance, R&R stipend and housing

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