Jan 14, 2021

Safety and Security Coordinator

Employer:  International Rescue Committee 
Location:


Organization
IRC Posted 12 Jan 2021 Closing date 15 Mar 2021


Context:

The(IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein, the IRC provides life-saving care and assistance to refugees forced to flee war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and 22 cities across the United States, we are restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions of people uprooted and struggling to survive. IRC helps restore the health, safety, education, economic well-being and power of people devastated by conflict and disaster. “IRC From Harm to Home”

IRC's vision for Burkina Faso is that individuals, households and communities are resilient, empowered and able to thrive in a changing environment. IRC Burkina Faso is present in the Sahel and North region with projects in the following areas: WASH, Health and nutrition ....

Job Overview / Summary:

The Safety & Security Coordinator is part of the Country Management Team (SMT), which reports to the Country Director (CD). He or she will develop and oversee the implementation of humanitarian access and security management systems and protocols in accordance with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, due diligence principles and IRC strategy.

He or she will identify changes and trends in humanitarian access and the security environment in Burkina Faso, develop and oversee the implementation of tailored plans, standard operating procedures and contingency plans, and facilitate training and capacity building of supervisory and field staff.

He or she will provide expert advice on humanitarian access and security risk management to all levels of IRC country office staff on stakeholder relationship building, negotiation and mediating humanitarian access, understanding the context, managing critical incidents and providing timely advice.

He will work closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and Field Coordinators to ensure that the organization's security policies and procedures are context-appropriate, adequate and known to staff, and conform to global security standards. and security.

Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and the Program Coordinators, he or she will help maximize the effectiveness of IRC's activities in Burkina Faso by contributing to the design and ongoing adaptation of programs to suit their needs. ensure they are appropriate for the context. Where appropriate, he or she will also provide advice and support to partner organizations and ensure capacity building of IRC staff, incentive staff and partners through active collaboration in the field. .

Main responsibilities

Management of humanitarian access:

• Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches adapted to local contexts in field sites across Burkina Faso.

• Ensure humanitarian access approaches are adapted to the local context and include comprehensive community engagement components.

• Ensure that IRC humanitarian access teams on the ground conduct sustainable and principled negotiations with relevant actors in Burkina Faso, in accordance with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, due diligence principles and the IRC's PSA (Strategic Action Plan).

• Ensure that the IRC, its mission and its work in the areas of operations are known and accepted.

• Encourage stakeholders to work with IRC to ensure that staff and programs are safe and authorized to continue humanitarian activities in Burkina Faso.

• Provide technical advice and guidance in evaluations to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas, as well as regular evaluation reviews for existing locations.

• Assist in the continued development of humanitarian access teams and activities across Burkina Faso.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors by formulating standard policies and guidelines for IRC.

• Oversee the implementation and review of tailor-made acceptance strategies and advise in this regard.

• Maintain a high level of preparedness in the face of anticipated contextual fluctuations at the operational and programmatic level.

• Improve the image and acceptance of IRC within the community and among stakeholders by providing advice on inclusive visibility strategies.

• Work with the appropriate IRC units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up of violations of the IRC Code of Conduct, in addition to operational violations of humanitarian principles.

Networking and liaison:

• Maintain a network of IRC security focal points in the national program, as well as external professional contacts and counterparts.

• Provide timely feedback on questions and requests for technical assistance from members of the country program team.

• Monitor NGO field security initiatives and provide them with support and reports thereon, as needed.

• Identify, create and maintain a network with NGOs / UN and other humanitarian access and security specialists appropriate to the region.

• Facilitate regional coordination of the security of NGOs by networking, collaboration and coordination with humanitarian actors.

Understanding the Context and Reporting:

• Compile and submit regular reports that track incidents and trends in humanitarian access and local security in the IRC area of ​​operation.

• Submit daily contextual updates as needed to SMT and relevant program management and field staff.

• Work closely with IRC field management teams to ensure that all incidents and accidents are the subject of a formal written report, which is then communicated to relevant stakeholders and categorized as follows. appropriate. Ensure that final incident reports are provided when IRC closes the file.

• Monitor the operating environment in the region, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities and recommend possible responses.

• Coordinate on a regular basis with the Regional Safety and Security Director on matters of safety and security, and meet reporting requirements to the region.

• Contribute to the analysis of conflict sensitivity at the local level and to the macroeconomic analysis of conflict trends in Burkina Faso.

• Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents, as well as appropriate guidance to IRC program management and field staff.

Training and capacity building:

• Provide a capacity development plan with specific implementation plans in line with the regional capacity development strategy for humanitarian access and security.

• Work closely with the Regional Security Capacity Building Coordinator to identify learning and development needs within the country program.

• Provide regular training to IRC staff on humanitarian principles and safety and security preparedness. Training may include standard operating procedures, humanitarian negotiations, understanding the context, managing safety and security risks, incident management and reporting, etc.

• Work with relevant internal focal points to develop and revise IRC Burkina Faso's information and onboarding package for new employees and visitors.

Program development:

• Support the program coordinator and field management staff in developing conflict-sensitive and context-sensitive approaches in Burkina Faso.

• Participate in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the timely, safe and secure delivery of IRC services to beneficiaries.

• Advise program management teams and field management teams on context-specific risks relating to humanitarian access, security and safety, and contribute to the development and implementation of measures and mitigation plans.

Main working relationships

Report to the Head of Mission (CD)

Indirect / technical reports: Regional Safety & Security Director

Main internal contacts:

Country program: Deputy Director Operations, Deputy Director Programs, Field Coordinators, Program Coordinators

Region / Global: Team member in security, partnerships, public affairs, human resources, supply chain, monitoring and evaluation, ICT4P and others.

Key external contacts:

• Focal points for humanitarian access and security of INGOs.

• Relevant United Nations bodies: UNOCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, etc.

• Coordination forums, working groups, security forums, etc.

• Information sharing and analysis organizations: INSO, etc.

• Community leaders and local influence brokers.

Job requirements

Education

University degree in management, political science or related field preferred. Technical diploma or certification in a related field with significant relevant experience.

Professional experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in non-profit organizations or NGOs in international humanitarian assistance programs having demonstrated the ability to plan, organize and execute humanitarian security operations in the country. ground.

• Understand the humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific complexities of providing essential services to people in need within Burkina Faso's labor sub-sector linked to the field and NGO operational contexts.

• Understanding of regional and local context, dynamics and limitations of access related to gender, disability, religion, traditions and local norms.

• Knowledge of communications technology, including satellite communications, cell phone, etc. is an asset.

• Strong experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement, facilitate and transmit learning to a wide range of audiences.

• Experience in gaining a precise and unbiased understanding of local, regional and international policies, operational positions and interactions, providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and ongoing political and security situations as they arise. are presented.

• Strongly privileged regional experience.

Demonstrated technical skills

• Proven experience as a professional and reliable manager (including people and project management).

• Highly proficient in organizing large scale, rapid and responsive field programs.

• Knowledge of the situation and the possibilities.

• Strong ability to team up, coach and develop staff, and encourage inter-functional collaboration and cooperation.

• Exceptional sense of organization and coordination.

Demonstrated management / leadership skills

• Excellent ability to build relationships, build interpersonal relationships and effectively represent IRC in forums and to external stakeholders.

• It is essential to have strong negotiation and mediation skills and to have experience in conflict resolution.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly and persuasively express ideas and concepts with key internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.

• Demonstrated ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program requirements.

Required / preferred languages

• Fluency in English and French, both oral and written.

Computer Requirements / Other Requirements

• Complete professional proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Ability to travel

• 50% of trips, within Burkina Faso.

Standards of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values ​​and principles set forth in the IRC Code of Conduct. It's about integrity, service, and accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC applies and enforces the policies on the protection of beneficiaries against exploitation and abuse, the protection of children, a harassment-free workplace, fiscal integrity, the fight against reprisals, the fight against human trafficking and many others.

Gender equality

IRC is committed to closing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer social benefits that enable women to participate in the workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working environment

The Safety and Security Coordinator will be based in Ouagadougou and will visit the field offices regularly. While security in Ouagadougou is generally calm, conflicts continue elsewhere in the Sahel region, in the Center North, the North, Boucle du Mouhoun, the East and the Center East, and these areas are considered unstable. All IRC staff are required to strictly adhere to security guidelines. The Safety and Security Coordinator will have a private room in comfortable shared accommodation in Ouagadougou. This post is unaccompanied.

**

Job Overview / Summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and regain control of their future.

In Burkina Faso, IRC launched its first phase of emergency response programming in the city of Djibo in April 2019, mainly with WASH, and Protection activities. IRC Burkina Faso is present in the Sahel, North and Boucle de Mouhoun region carrying out wash, health, nutrition and protection activities. **

The Senior Safety & Security Coordinator is a member of the Senior Management Team Plus (SMT +), reporting to the Country Director (CD). She or he will develop and oversee the implementation of humanitarian access and security management systems and protocols in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and IRC's strategy.

She or he will identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in Burkina Faso, develop and oversee the implementation of responsive plans, standard operating procedures and contingency plans, and facilitate training and capacity building of both management and field staff.

She or he will ensure that expert humanitarian access and security risk management advice are provided to all levels of IRC staff in the country office on building relationships with stakeholders, negotiating and mediating humanitarian access, contextual understanding, managing critical incidents, and providing timely advisories.

She or he will work closely with the Country Director (CD) and the Field Coordinators to ensure that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, adequate and known to staff, and in line with global safety and security standards. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and Program Coordinators, the she or he will help maximize the effectiveness of IRC's activities in Burkina Faso by contributing to the design and ongoing adaptation of programming to ensure it is contextually appropriate. Where applicable, she or he will also provide guidance and support to partner organizations and ensure the capacity building of IRC staff, incentive workers, and partners with active hands-on collaboration.

Major Responsibilities

Humanitarian Access Management

She or He will support the Safety, Security and Access coordinator to:
Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites throughout Burkina Faso
Ensure humanitarian access approaches are responsive to local context and include overarching community engagement components
Ensure that the IRC field humanitarian access teams conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in Burkina Faso in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and the IRC's Strategic Action Plan (SAP)
Work to ensure that IRC, its mission and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted
Work to encourage stakeholders to work with the IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities in Burkina Faso
Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations
Assist in the continued development of humanitarian access and security teams and activities across Burkina Faso
Contribute in developing and implementing guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors articulating standard IRC policy and guidance
Oversee and advise on the implementation and review of tailored acceptance strategies
Maintain a high level of preparedness vis-a-vis predicted contextual fluctuations operationally and programmatically
Enhance IRC image and acceptance within the community and amongst stakeholders by providing guidance on inclusive visibility strategies
Work with appropriate IRC units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of IRC's Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles

Safety and Security Risk Management
Provide technical support on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security and program continuity in Burkina Faso
Evaluate, review and update the security management plans on a regular basis in compliance with global safety and security standards and requirements
Work with Field Coordinators to develop, consolidate and implement operating procedures and contingency plans
Develop and maintain a network of IRC Security Focal Points at each field office and program sites enhancing gender balance.
Evaluate, review and update the hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices and residences in Burkina Faso and ensure that the practical preparations are in place and known to all staff involved
Conduct risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards
Undertake continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met
Provide and implement best possible solutions for use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff.
Ensure safety and security protocol, reporting mechanism, and capacity building initiative account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles and background, and are sensitive to local contexts

Networking and Liaison:
Maintain a network of IRC security focal points in the country program as well as external professional contacts and counterparts
Provide timely feedback on questions and technical assistance requests from country program team members
Monitor and provide support and reporting on NGO field security initiatives as required
Identify, create and maintain a network with NGO / UN and other humanitarian access and security specialists suitable for Burkina Faso
Maintain a network with other IRC security Coordinators within the Region.

Context Understanding and Reporting
Compile and submit regular reports that track incidents and trends in humanitarian access and local security contexts within the IRC's area of ​​operation.
Submit daily contextual updates as needed to the SMT and relevant field and program management staff
Work closely with IRC field management teams to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately. Ensure that final incident reports are provided when IRC is closing the case.
Monitor the operating environment in the country, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities and recommend possible responses
Coordinate regularly with the Regional Safety & Security Advisor on safety and security, and fulfill reporting requirements to the region
Contribute to local-level conflict sensitivity analysis and macro- level analysis of trends within the Burkina Faso conflict
Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents along with appropriate advice to IRC field and program management staff

Training and Capacity Building
Identify safety, security and access learning and development needs for country program staff
Provide regular trainings for IRC staff on humanitarian principles and safety and security preparedness. Training (s) may include Standard Operational Procedures; Humanitarian Negotiations; Contextual Understanding; Safety & Security Risk Management; Incident Management & Reporting; etc.
Liaise with partners to assess capacity building needs and provide advice and support where feasible and necessary
Work with relevant internal focal points to develop and review the IRC Burkina Faso information and on-boarding package for new hires and visitors

Program Development:
Ensure that safety and security needs are included in the country program's budgets
Support program coordinator and field management staff in developing conflict-sensitive and contextually-appropriate approaches in Burkina Faso
Participate in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the timely, safe, and secure delivery of IRC service to beneficiaries
Advise program and field management teams on context-specific risks pertaining humanitarian access, safety, and security, and contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation measures and plans

Qualifications

Education: University degree in Management, Political Sciences, or related field, preferred. Technical degree or certification in related field with significant applicable experience.

Work Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of non-profit or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs with demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing and executing humanitarian security operations in the field
Understanding the humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific intricacies of delivery essential of services to people in need inside Burkina Faso sub-sector work linked to NGO field and operations contexts
Understanding of regional and local context, dynamics, and access limitations related to gender, disability, religion, tradition, and local norms.
Knowledge in communications technology, including, satellite communications, cell phone, etc. is more
Strong experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement, facilitate and impart learning to a wide range of audiences
Experience of gaining a precise and impartial understanding of local, regional and international policies.
Provide clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur
Sahel experience strongly preferred

Demonstrated Technical Skills:
Proven experience as professional and reliable manager (including management of people and projects)
Highly skilled in organizing large-scale, fast-paced, responsive field programs
Situational awareness and opportunity awareness
Solid ability to provide team-building, coaching, and development for staff as well as encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation
Solid organizational and coordination skills

Demonstrated Managerial / Leadership Competencies:
Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders
Strong negotiation and mediation skills with experience in conflict resolution are essential
Good oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.
Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands

Languages ​​Required / Preferred:
Fluency in spoken and written French and English is required. Arabic is a plus

Computer / Other Requirements:
Full professional competency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Geographic Information System knowledge is a plus.

Ability to Travel: 15% travel, within Burkina Faso

Standards of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values ​​and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment: The Senior Safety and Security Coordinator will be based in Ouagadougou with regular travel up to 15% to field offices. While security in Ouagadougou is generally calm, conflict is ongoing elsewhere in Burkina Faso. Strict adherence to security guidelines is requested of all IRC staff.
How to apply

Please follow this link to apply: https: //rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/11882? C = res ...