Officer, Security

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Kinshasa Delegation covers the Republic Democratic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and the Republic of Congo.

Reporting directly to the Head of Delegation, the Security Officer plays a pivotal role in coordinating security risk management, ensuring that personnel, assets, and operations are effectively safeguarded, and supporting the continuity of IFRC’s activities even in the most challenging environments. This responsibility is carried out in alignment with the IFRC’s Minimum Security Requirements (MSR) Policy and Duty of Care principles. The scope of this role encompasses not only National Societies integrated within the IFRC but also extends to surge personnel and assets deployed across the supported countries. The technical manager of the  Security Officer is the Security Regional Manager. The post holder integrates the management team of the delegation, and the regional and global security teams.

This role is based in Kinshasa, providing strategic and operational security support with regular travel to field locations within the delegation's coverage area.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The Security Officer ensures effective security planning and management across the delegation, including offices, residences, and guest houses. The role guarantees compliance with Minimum Security Requirements (MSR) and, where required, alignment with ICRC security plans. The incumbent safeguards staff, delegates, and assets by providing timely security advice, overseeing security personnel, and ensuring safe access to IFRC premises. S/he also leads incident data analysis, risk monitoring, and the development of contingency measures.

As the delegation’s lead technical resource on security risk management and critical incident response, the Security Officer works closely with the Head of Delegation, and counterparts in the ICRC and the Red Cross societies in the cluster, while building strong networks with external security stakeholders. The role also carries responsibility for security and safety training for volutneers, national and international staff.

The post holder is accountable:

1. Strengthening the security management structure and enhance the overall security of the IFRC network by ensuring full compliance with the Minimum Security Requirements (MSRs).
2. Establishing and maintain effective security contacts and networks to support the execution of duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description.
3. Providing timely and effective support to the Head of Delegation on all security-related matters, including the development and implementation of risk mitigation measures.
4. Ensuring that managers in the designated area of operations receive prompt and appropriate security support, particularly before, during, and after incidents. This includes the provision of information on security trends and recommendations for actions or measures to strengthen individual, institutional, and operational security.

Analysis and Planning

• Monitor and analyse the security situation where relevant and identify security trends, emerging threats and riks that may affect the IFRC network.
• Recommend to Head of Delegation changes to operations and/or procedures to address identified security trends, threats and risks.
• Carry out security risk assessments, including field security assessments.
• Support in the development of risk management measures across the IFRC network.
• Support security contingency planning (Hibernaiton, Relocation, Evacuation & MedEvac plans) during major events.
• Update security incident list and generate reports for analysis purposes.

Incident and Emergency Response

• Respond 24/7 to security incidents/emergencies/crises to safeguard personnel, assets, and operations.
• Ensure any internal/external security related-incident or emergency is immediately and adequately reported.
• Evaluate and record security incidents using the security incident report form (SIR) and identify incident/threat/risk patterns or trends.
• With the guidance of the Head of Delegation, share regular security updates to the IFRC network under the security support agreement (SSA) personnel through the existing communication platforms.
• Monitor communication on the existing communication network and follow up on incidents impacting the IFRC network.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Compliance

• Monitor and evaluate the Minimum Security Requirement (MSR) compliance in the Delegation, and be the lead technical person in the development and updating of the MSR across the country cluster.
• Ensuring that all staff are socialised and aware of the existing security procedures, regulations, guidance and contingency plans.
• Monitor and evaluate compliance with mandatory safety and security trainings (Stay Safe Training).

Training and Development

• Brief staff and volunteers under the SSA in matters of security risk management, including but not limited to arrival briefings, event briefings, special mission briefings.
• Ensure that all personnel and new staff receive a security induction before deployment.
• Maintain and update the list of personnel /visitors who have received security briefing and record in the Regional Security Briefing tacker.
• Organise and conduct emergency drills, including but not limited to building evacuations, testing alarm systems and training of contracted security company guards.
• Support in the provision of security and safety trainings to National Societies personnel, and volunteers.

Liaison and Coordination

• Liaise and coordinate with counterparts in national societies, the ICRC, to support in security management capacity building initiatives, peer to peer networking, training and resource mobilisation.
• Conduct joint assessment missions with the different National Societies to support program implementation.
• Liaison and coorindation with ICRC in matters related to movement security and pariciapte in movement security coordination forums.
• Establish and maintain functional networks and coordination with external partners including UN agencies, humanitarian actors to ensure up to date information on best practices and emerging trends related to security analysis and information sharing.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities, e.g. military, police, immigration and fire service

Administration

• Provide leadership and supervision to team members including guards, drivers and third-party staff when required
• Supervise and ensure that contracted security company undertakes its duties as per contractual agreement.
• Train security guards in relation to Fundamental Principles, guard post orders, standard operating procedures, and emergency procedures.
• Conduct physical security assessment of residences, hotels, and offices to ensure compliance to IFRC’s Minimum Security Requirements (MSR).
• Map out and maintain an updated the list of staff residences and contacts. Ensure that the warden system and communication is establish, tested and operational.
• Ensure that physical security apparatus like CCTV cameras, fire alarm system, and other safety equipment are serviced accordingly.
• Participates in relevant operational meetings and forums.

Duties applicable to all staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Lateral Relationships

• Establish and ensure effective working relations with the delegates and national staff.
• Establish and maintain effective liaison relations with HNS, ICRC, UNDSS (and other UN organisations/departments), NGO community including security forums and other security service advisors, including, where pertinent, with local authorities

• Any relevant University Degree(Law / Police/Military  Science / Political Science, / Labour Safety)
• Security risk management qualifications or relevant training including humanitarian access negotiations.
• Successfully completed the Stay Safe e-learning courses (basic and managers)

• 3 – 5 years Working experience in active security management role with a humanitarian organisation in DRC or Great Lakes region.  
• First-hand experience with IFRC or Movement Partners security management system
• Trainer, First Aider, Fire Safety, defensive driving
• RC/RC Movement experience or volunteer
• In-country contextual understanding and operational experience

• Good communication skills
• Good analytical skills in political, socio-economics and security areas
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Good stress management skills
• Self-supporting in computers [Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook), GIS.]
• Valid driving license (light vehicles)
• Fluently spoken and written English and French
• Fluently spoken and written local languages

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.