Employer: Mercy Corps
Location: Goma, Congo, Democratic Republic Of (Was Zaire)
General Position Summary
The County Safety and Security Manager will manage all aspects of the Country Safety Risk
Management (SRM) system. The CSSM, in consultation with local safety staff and program managers, is expected to pursue the following objectives in his/her daily work:
Manage the Security Safety Risk Management (SSRM) process
Develop and supervise the implementation of area safety management policies, protocols and procedures
Perform Security Safety Risk Assessments (SSRAs) and supervise the implementation of mitigation/ prevention measures
Oversee the information management, analysis and reporting process for all area of operations
Maintain relevant safety documentation, data and records for the areas of concern
Facilitate and deliver safety-related training to local and international staff
Mentor and provide technical supervision to Deputy Security Manager and/ or Security Officers
Develop the capacity of, and coordinate, the Security Management Team in the DRC
Act as the focal point for contractual and procurement issues related to security & safety risk management.
Essential Job Responsibilities
SECURITY SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Perform area-specific SSRAs and conduct Security Safety Level assessments.
Advise Program and Heads of Offices on available Security Safety Management Strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks.
Develop and supervise the implementation of Security Management Plan (SMP), including Local Security Plan; Security briefing Board (SBB), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Contingency Plans (CPs); mitigation action plans; and Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS).
Develop, update and supervise the implementation of security/ safety improvement action plans for each filed locations
Develop area-specific Contingency Planning. Is aware of Crisis Management guidelines, and will serve on the crisis management team.
Assist in the management and resolution of safety incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports
SECURITY & CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS
Provision of regular analysis, statistics and reporting on key developments within the area of operations
Tailored analysis and assessments, including SSRAs, on specific areas, themes, issues or scenarios
Is primarily responsible for humanitarian access strategies and developing these with colleagues in the context of program operations.
Establish and maintain a list of contacts throughout the area of interest
Maintain and update the incident tracking database in the area of operation, and provide trend/pattern analysis
Provide advice on program development and implementation, including program assessments
Identify potential scenarios, indicators of change and key decision points
Oversee the implementation of field travel SOPs and planning
REPRESENTATION & INFLUENCE
Focal point for safety co-ordination between relevant actors within the area of operations
Attend INSO, OCHA, UNDSS and other relevant external fora
Establish a network of contacts and represent MC at security meetings
Participate in the SMT in the event of a critical incident or crisis
STAFF TRAINING & LEARNING
Provide operational safety briefings and orientation to all new and visiting staff
Brief new international and non-local staff on specific cultural norms and behaviors
Train local safety staff in the delivery of establish safety training modules
Organize and coordinate the delivery of Personal Security Safety Training (PSST) on a quarterly basis
Brief SMT members on their responsibilities and ensure alternate members are available and briefed
Quality assurance of safety-related policies, protocols, procedures and regulations
STAFF SAFETY & SECURITY
Assist logisticians and administrators with the procurement, delivery and control of security/ safety equipment
Act as the security focal point for telecommunications systems, including radios, tracking devices and satellite phones
Coordinate and directly supervise all field visits outside of the office
Supervise all travel authorizations for permanent and visiting international staff Brief all incoming staff and visitors
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we 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 toward accountability, specifically to our 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 our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
Country Security Team
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Operations
Works Directly With: Head of Offices, Operations Managers, Directors and Program Managers. Regional Security Advisor
Knowledge and Experience
BA/BS degree in a relevant field, masters preferred
3-5 years’ experience as a Head of Office, Security Manager or Operation Manager in high risk countries
Security management experience with a proven ability to develop and implement effective and contextualized protocols and systems
Detailed knowledge of radio and other telecommunications systems
Experience with critical incident management
Experience with delivering security-related training
Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Stable and robust character, team-player
Excellent communication skills
Required fluency in written and spoken French or Swahili, and English
Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.
Success Factors
The successful Safety and Security Manager will combine effective leadership of complex teams and the ability to lead by example and influence. Also S/he will be expected to have a proven ability to build internal staff capacity and competency and to provide program support services. Flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving, ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative and be accountable for results, knowledge of security standards, precautionary measures, communication protocols and passion for professional learning and development are vital skill that we expect the Safety and Security Manager to have.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This is an unaccompanied post based in Goma. The position is entitled to shared staff housing in Goma and is not eligible for hardship.
While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Goma, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity and petty crime is on the increase. Mercy Corps' sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Years of conflict and corruption have badly damaged the country's infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. There are virtually no telephone landlines in the DRC, though mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required (up to 40%) where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.
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.
Location: Goma, Congo, Democratic Republic Of (Was Zaire)
General Position Summary
The County Safety and Security Manager will manage all aspects of the Country Safety Risk
Management (SRM) system. The CSSM, in consultation with local safety staff and program managers, is expected to pursue the following objectives in his/her daily work:
Manage the Security Safety Risk Management (SSRM) process
Develop and supervise the implementation of area safety management policies, protocols and procedures
Perform Security Safety Risk Assessments (SSRAs) and supervise the implementation of mitigation/ prevention measures
Oversee the information management, analysis and reporting process for all area of operations
Maintain relevant safety documentation, data and records for the areas of concern
Facilitate and deliver safety-related training to local and international staff
Mentor and provide technical supervision to Deputy Security Manager and/ or Security Officers
Develop the capacity of, and coordinate, the Security Management Team in the DRC
Act as the focal point for contractual and procurement issues related to security & safety risk management.
Essential Job Responsibilities
SECURITY SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Perform area-specific SSRAs and conduct Security Safety Level assessments.
Advise Program and Heads of Offices on available Security Safety Management Strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks.
Develop and supervise the implementation of Security Management Plan (SMP), including Local Security Plan; Security briefing Board (SBB), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Contingency Plans (CPs); mitigation action plans; and Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS).
Develop, update and supervise the implementation of security/ safety improvement action plans for each filed locations
Develop area-specific Contingency Planning. Is aware of Crisis Management guidelines, and will serve on the crisis management team.
Assist in the management and resolution of safety incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports
SECURITY & CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS
Provision of regular analysis, statistics and reporting on key developments within the area of operations
Tailored analysis and assessments, including SSRAs, on specific areas, themes, issues or scenarios
Is primarily responsible for humanitarian access strategies and developing these with colleagues in the context of program operations.
Establish and maintain a list of contacts throughout the area of interest
Maintain and update the incident tracking database in the area of operation, and provide trend/pattern analysis
Provide advice on program development and implementation, including program assessments
Identify potential scenarios, indicators of change and key decision points
Oversee the implementation of field travel SOPs and planning
REPRESENTATION & INFLUENCE
Focal point for safety co-ordination between relevant actors within the area of operations
Attend INSO, OCHA, UNDSS and other relevant external fora
Establish a network of contacts and represent MC at security meetings
Participate in the SMT in the event of a critical incident or crisis
STAFF TRAINING & LEARNING
Provide operational safety briefings and orientation to all new and visiting staff
Brief new international and non-local staff on specific cultural norms and behaviors
Train local safety staff in the delivery of establish safety training modules
Organize and coordinate the delivery of Personal Security Safety Training (PSST) on a quarterly basis
Brief SMT members on their responsibilities and ensure alternate members are available and briefed
Quality assurance of safety-related policies, protocols, procedures and regulations
STAFF SAFETY & SECURITY
Assist logisticians and administrators with the procurement, delivery and control of security/ safety equipment
Act as the security focal point for telecommunications systems, including radios, tracking devices and satellite phones
Coordinate and directly supervise all field visits outside of the office
Supervise all travel authorizations for permanent and visiting international staff Brief all incoming staff and visitors
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we 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 toward accountability, specifically to our 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 our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
Country Security Team
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Operations
Works Directly With: Head of Offices, Operations Managers, Directors and Program Managers. Regional Security Advisor
Knowledge and Experience
BA/BS degree in a relevant field, masters preferred
3-5 years’ experience as a Head of Office, Security Manager or Operation Manager in high risk countries
Security management experience with a proven ability to develop and implement effective and contextualized protocols and systems
Detailed knowledge of radio and other telecommunications systems
Experience with critical incident management
Experience with delivering security-related training
Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Stable and robust character, team-player
Excellent communication skills
Required fluency in written and spoken French or Swahili, and English
Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.
Success Factors
The successful Safety and Security Manager will combine effective leadership of complex teams and the ability to lead by example and influence. Also S/he will be expected to have a proven ability to build internal staff capacity and competency and to provide program support services. Flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving, ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative and be accountable for results, knowledge of security standards, precautionary measures, communication protocols and passion for professional learning and development are vital skill that we expect the Safety and Security Manager to have.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This is an unaccompanied post based in Goma. The position is entitled to shared staff housing in Goma and is not eligible for hardship.
While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Goma, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity and petty crime is on the increase. Mercy Corps' sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Years of conflict and corruption have badly damaged the country's infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. There are virtually no telephone landlines in the DRC, though mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required (up to 40%) where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.
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.