Democratic Republic of the Congo: Senior Humanitarian Access & Security Manager

Background:

International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world's leading organizations in the field of humanitarian aid and development. For 80 years, IRC has been at the forefront of every major humanitarian initiative to assist people uprooted by war, persecution or civil strife. IRC provides rescue assistance to help people survive and remake their lives, moving them from a life detrimental to a life of peace at home. IRC is one of the major actors in humanitarian aid and post-conflict development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. IRC began working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1996 to meet the humanitarian needs of people affected by armed conflict in the east of the country. Currently, IRC works in the areas of health including the Ebola response, community governance and reconstruction, the protection and empowerment of women, responses to emergencies, child protection and education.

Job Description

The Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (SHASM) is responsible for facilitating humanitarian access and the safety and security of IRC personnel and assets in Grand Nord DRC. This position will be part of the country management team based in Beni to ensure that organizational security policies and procedures respond to the context, are appropriate and well-known to staff, and to provide advice on humanitarian access processes and approaches in close collaboration with the program teams. Under the supervision of Deputy Director -Grand Nord, the SHASM will analyze security trends, provide advice, update and implement the IRC security management plan. The SHASM will provide both direct and technical supervisor to a team of security professionals in Grand Nord. The SHASM streamlines humanitarian access approaches in relation to humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs and the strategic five-year IRC action plan for the DRC. The SHASM will organize field training for staff, facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate plans, standard operating procedures and contingency plans.

IRC is looking for a Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (SHASM) for its country program in the DRC, based in Beni, with frequent trips to other sites of the program.

Reponsibilities

Humanitarian access (25%)

• Facilitate the development and ensure maintenance of an access strategy within the area of operations;
• Develop ongoing relations with local authorities, non-state armed actors and other forces in Grand Nord in a principled manner;
• Work to ensure that IRC, its mission and its work in the operations area are known and accepted;
• Participate with programs proactively as necessary to enable risk-aware humanitarian operations ;
• Provide technical information and advice during evaluations to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with key community leaders at IRC intervention sites.
• Advising the program teams on risk reduction measures for project beneficiaries ('*Do no harm*')

Information and Context Analysis (25%)

• Identify contextual currents and determine how these can potentially affect IRC operations in the country
• Produce an analysis of possible scenarios in the areas where IRC is present and advise the country team on how to adapt the programs and operations accordingly;
• Compile and submit security reports daily and monthly in accordance with standard IRC processes.
• Work closely with IRC teams in field offices in Grand Nord to ensure that all incidents and accidents are followed with written official reports, which are then shared with key players and appropriately classified. Also ensure that final incident reports are submitted when IRC closes the case.
• Recommend and implement security risk mitigation measures appropriate to the local context to enable program implementation. (Risk management)

Documentation and Compliance (Security Management) (15%)

• Provide technical support to the Deputy Director- Grand Nord on all policies, procedures and guidelines for personnel safety, operational security and program continuity;
• Conduct risk analyses in a participatory and regular way for areas of operations and on specific axes or areas as needed and identifies significant mitigation measures;
• Regularly evaluate, review and update security management plans (SMP) in collaboration with Country Teams. These SMP will include standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contingency Plans (CP);
• Review and update orientation material and briefing packages for new staff and visitors to the country
• Evaluate, review and update the hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices and residences in Grand Nord and ensure that practical preparations are in place and known to all staff involved;
• Advise the working teams on the best possible solutions in the use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff members, including proposals for alternative means and equipment for secure communication. Be proactive and operational in order to facilitate implementation of recommended measures.

Security and Access Training and Orientation (10%)

• Develop a training plan that addresses capacity building needs for IRC's Ebola response teams in North Kivu;
• Organize and facilitate regular training for IRC staff on security awareness (Level 1) for all staff members;
• Organize and facilitate regular training for IRC staff on safe management (Level 2) and humanitarian access for security focal points;
• In coordination with HR, coordinate the e-learning initiative for all staff members and security focal Points;
• Ensure that each visitor and each new staff member receives a briefing and/or orientation on arrival.

Building Safety (10%)

• Conduct a regular assessment of buildings to identify any vulnerabilities and recommend corrections.
• Ensure the monitoring and replacement of safety equipment in IRC buildings (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc.).
• Ensure the renewal of emergency stockpiles in IRC offices and gateways.
• Ensure that each office and Guest House IRC has Plans of evacuation and hibernation.

HR Management and Coordination (15%)

• Provide technical support and coordination to the place's security team;
• Ensure that each member of the dedicated security staff has a clear work plan with measurable objectives;
• Participate in the senior management team meetings at the provincial level and advise the group on security and access issues;
• Maintain professional relationships with team members by promoting a strong team spirit and providing control and guidance to enable staff to work successfully in their positions including the training plans of staff
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability in the IRC way (the IRC way)-Global Standards of professional conduct-and ensure membership

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director- Grand Nord/ERT Field Director

Position directly supervises: Humanitarian Access and Security Assistants-Beni

Position technically supervises: Humanitarian Access and Security Assistants-Butembo

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Closely works with Team Lead-Beni, Team Lead-Butembo, regular relationships with regional and country humanitarian access and security staff at all levels, DRCs Deputy Director of Operations and Program Coordinators/Mangers and Regional Security and Safety Director

External: May Serve as IRC Supply Chain representative in outside meetings, other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups and foundations.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of work with a Non-Profit Organizations (NGO) within international humanitarian assistance programs with proven capacity in the planning and execution of complex tasks and projects;
• Proven humanitarian security management in high-risk areas;
• An understanding of humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific work related to the field of an NGOs and the contexts of operations;
• Ability to conduct a complex contextual analysis and identify emerging currents;

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

High degree of flexibility and ability to work under sometimes extreme hardship conditions against tight deadlines;

Ability to turn intention into practice with mentoring and coaching;

Humility and respect and ability to work in multicultural/multi-ethnic environments;

Strong computer and communication equipment skills, including Microsoft Office applications;

Must be able and authorized to drive manual transmission 4WD vehicles.

Language Skills:

Fluency in French and English required. Knowledge of Swahili is an asset.

https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=3490