Democratic Republic of the Congo: Security Manager

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Summary of Position: Counterpart International is seeking a bilingual (French & English) Security Manager for the USAID-funded Congo Demokrasia program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congo Demokrasia is promoting the informed and peaceful participation of Congolese citizens in the country’s upcoming election. The program is supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) to conduct civic education activities and strengthen their ability to conduct oversight and advocacy to protect citizens’ electoral rights in the upcoming elections. With the support of the local and headquarters staff, the Security Manager will ensure that Counterpart program activities and locations are assessed and monitored relative to their impact on staff safety and security, and make recommendations on protocols and practices to reduce staff risk and vulnerability.

This is a full-time position based in Kinshasa, DRC. The position will report to the Chief of Party, DRC. Duties and Responsibilities:

Through collaboration with the Chief of Party, the Global Director of Safety and Security (GDSS) and the Counterpart Headquarters Team, the Security Manager will:

Security Management and Systems Duties:

• Conduct ongoing security assessments in the areas of operation of Counterpart program staff, in collaboration with the COP and the GDSS;
• Ensure that all Counterpart program activities and locations are assessed and monitored relative to their impact on staff safety and security, and make recommendations on protocols and practices to reduce staff risk and vulnerability;
• In consultation with the COP, Field Managers and Security Focal Points (SFP), continuously monitor the security /safety environment nationally and locally for all Counterpart program areas and make recommendations to the COP, who will consult with the GDSS to adjust security policies and procedures, as needed;
• Update and maintain security plans as part of a fully inclusive process involving a fair representation of team members. Publish, implement and promote the approved documents to ensure staff understands updates in a timely manner;
• Ensure that contingency plans for Evacuation, Relocation, Hibernation, and Medical Evacuation are in place, disseminated and adopted amongst staff including a detailed contextual assessment and situational update which is revised at least quarterly;
• Ensure and regularly reassess that Counterpart premises and equipment are compliant with internationally recognized safety and security standards;
• Research and analyze security-related information from a variety of local and international media sources, governmental sources, the UN and other INGOs in order to produce a formal weekly security update to share in country;
• Ensure that communication systems are adequate and maintained. Provide training to staff on the use of such equipment and communications protocols;
• Coordinate with HR / Finance / Logistics on working practices within the context of safety and security and alert the relevant managers and the COP to mitigate operations negatively impacting the safety and security of the team or external perception of the organization thereby creating security risks;
• Conduct local analysis of incidents to inform management; In conjunction with the senior team and other relevant staff, assist in the debriefing of staff that has experienced security incidents or 'near miss' incidents.
• Coordinate post-incident follow up actions, analysis and recommendations and ensure recording and tracking of incidents to facilitate timely action and implementation of recommendations; and,
• Ensure systems are in place to instantly respond to a crisis management situation by working with the Incident Management team; ensure that lines of communication and reporting to the Crisis Management team in the US are fully understood and implemented.

Documentation Duties:

• Ensure that briefing documents and maps are developed to help orient all new staff (national and international) about the overall security situation in DRC and the particular threats and procedures in the areas where staff will be based;
• Ensure that a centralized filing system of security-related documents is maintained in DRC;
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile reports on security assessments of offices, staff guest houses, field sites and project areas;
• Update orientation documents with respect to security;
• Systematically map all incidents on a dedicated map and provide timely analysis to identify emerging trends.

Briefing, Training and Capacity Building Duties:

• Ensure Security briefings (arrival and complete) are of adequate quality and done in timely manner;
• Work with national and international staff to build a shared understanding of security analysis and risk mitigation;
• With the support of the GDSS, develop a standardized security training method and provide security training for all staff in safety and security related subjects ensuring that policy and guidelines are understood and are being adopted and implemented across the program;
• Act as a team facilitator during the development of the Security Management Plan and changes to it;
• Guide, train and monitor all staff to ensure the Country's Minimum Standards in Safety and Security are followed and respected; and,
• Provide a pre-deployment security brief for incoming staff.

Coordination and Networking Duties:

• Coordinate and liaise on program safety and security matters with all relevant actors in country such as national and international NGOs, the UN, donor organizations, legitimate armed actors, government authorities, private security companies and other stakeholders as identified within the population; and,
• Maintain regular information sharing with staff in the Country Office and in the field ensuring high security awareness levels, close situation monitoring and effective two-way communication on security-related issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 5 years of field leadership experience in security management (e.g. direct INGO security management);
• 5 years of experience in insecure/hostile environments;
• 5 years of experience and knowledge of personnel and organizational security issues, conducting threat/risk assessments, security management and security awareness in an insecure environment;
• Experience of 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;
• Experience and knowledge of personnel and organizational security issues, conducting threat/risk assessments, security management and security awareness in an insecure environment;
• Ability to implement mass messaging communications systems, phone trees, and security information systems as requested;
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural and diverse team;
• Ability to adapt to needs and balance demands of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination;
• Sound knowledge of humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality;
• Fluent in written and spoken French and English; and,
• Strong report writing, analytical and interpersonal skills.

Preferred:

• Formal security qualification or advanced security management training, a plus;
• Experience in training and coaching national and international staff in safety and security; and,
• Technical competency and training experience in field based communications systems such as HF, Codan, Motorola VHF, Thuraya, satellite systems and internet systems.

All qualified candidates can apply to this position by submitting a copy of their most up to date resume, three professional references and updated USAID 1420 salary history form to stesfagiorgis@counterpart.org with "DRC Security Manager" in the subject line. Please no follow up phone calls or emails, only finalists will be contacted.