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Security & Humanitarian Access Coordinator

Erbil

  • Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
  • Location: Erbil
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Security and Safety
  • Closing Date: Closed

BACKGROUND/IRC SUMMARY: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those affected by the world’s worst humanitarian crises.  At work today in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

The IRC has been working in Iraq since 2003 (with a temporary withdrawal in 2006-7). Working in coordination with the humanitarian community, the IRC currently addresses the needs of war-affected populations from several operational bases across Iraq. Our activities focus primarily on the supply of cash assistance and non-food items, legal assistance and counselling and women and children’s protection, and form part of an over-arching humanitarian response in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and the region that seeks to assist refugees, IDPs and war-affected people survive conflict and displacement.

 

JOB OVERVIEW: The Security and Humanitarian Access Coordinator will work with the country management team to ensure that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, adequate and known to staff, and advise on humanitarian access processes and approaches in close coordination with program teams. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of operations, the SHAC will analyze security trends, advise, update, and implement the IRC’s Security Management Plan. The SHAC will streamline humanitarian access approaches in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, and the IRC’s 5-year strategy action plan for Iraq and Syria. The HSAC will conduct onsite training for staff, facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate plans, standard operating procedures and contingency pans. S/he will provide expert humanitarian security and access advice to all levels of IRC staff in the country office including access negotiations and mediation, context and conflict analysis, advisories, and incident management.

 

MAJOR  RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safety and Security Management Planning

  • Provide technical support to the DDO on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security and program continuity in Iraq and north-eastern Syria.
  • Evaluate, review and update the security management plans on a regular basis. Reference and ensure compliance to IRC Security Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes.
  • Work with DDO and Field Coordinators to develop, consolidate and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.
  • Evaluate, review and update the hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices and residences in Iraq and Syria 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, including here proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipments

Humanitarian Access Management

  • Develop ongoing relationships with local authorities as needed and other power brokers within Iraq.
  • 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 Iraq and Syria.
  • Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas.
  • In coordination with DDO, DDP, and Program Coordinators, liaise with relevant security actors e.g., NGO Security Focal Point, NCCI, INSO, other NGO security coordinators, region UNDSS contacts, local community stakeholders, Governors, etc.

Monitoring, Analysis and Supervision

  • Compile and submit monthly security reporting that track incidents and trends within the IRC’s area of operation. Submit daily contextual updates as needed to the Country Director (CD), Deputy Director of Operations & the Regional Safety & Security Advisor.
  • Work closely with IRC teams in Field Offices in Iraq 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 also that final incident reports are provided when IRC is closing the case.
  • Coordinate regularly with the RSSA on safety and security, and fulfill reporting requirements to the region.
  • Collect and compile all security reports for IRC Iraq.

Security & Access Training and Orientation

  • Provide a development plan with precise capacity building method to the Safety and Security team.
  • Provide regular trainings for IRC staff on security preparedness, prevention and response. Training(s) may include Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs); Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; Communications protocols, etc.
  • Working with the HR focal point on reviewing, updating the IRC Iraq Security Information package for new hires and visitors.

Human Resource Management and Development

Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions including staff development plans.

  • Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance
  • Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and providing documented annual and mid-year performance reviews.
  • As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of a national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by end of assignment
  • Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development.
  • Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.
  • Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
  • Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct - and ensure adherence.

Training/Capacity building

    ·  Provide technical support, training and supervision to the team.

    ·  Promote in-service training for all staff in the team.

    ·  Actively seek out formal and informal training opportunities for staff.

 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Program   
Position indirectly supervises: 2 Senior Safety and Security Managers

Indirect Reporting:  Country Director, Deputy Director – Cross Border Program

Other Internal: Close collaboration with Field Coordinators, Program Coordinators, Senior Safety & Security Manager, Humanitarian Access Manager and Regional Safety and Security Advisor.

Other External: Relevant other partners, e.g UN bodies, local and national authorities.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor Degree in a related field, Masters degree is prefered.
  • 5 years experience in a non-profit or NGO within international humanitarian assistance programs.
  • Previous NGO security management experience is an asset.
  • Demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing and executing humanitarian security operations in the field. 
  • Understanding the humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific sub-sector work linked to NGO field and operations contexts.
  • Advanced knowledge in communications technology, including, satellite communications, cell phone mediums, etc.
  • Strong experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement, facilitate and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
  • Ability to gain a precise understanding of the various local, regional, country and international policies, operational positions and interactions, providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur.
  • Demonstrated strong writing and reporting skills.
  • Regional experience is highly preffered
  • Excellent oral and written skills in both Arabic & English. Kurdish language skills are a plus.

 

Working Environment: The position will be based in Erbil, Iraq, and covers all operating areas in Irag and Northeast Syria.  The security situation in Erbil remains broadly permissive with continued attention paid to the potential for growing instability due to the continual influx of displacement and proximity to insecure areas in other governorates within Iraq

 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the 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.

Returning National Candidates :  We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation,   return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

IRC leading the way from harm to home. 


IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

 

This vacancy is now closed.