Humanitarian Access Assistant (HAA)

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding, and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC is currently extending its operations inside northwest Syria to include Azaz office as part of its regional effort to facilitate IRC's efforts in North Aleppo. The Humanitarian Access Assistant (HAA) will assist the Humanitarian Access Manager in North Aleppo operations and, if needed, in Idlib.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and implement humanitarian access procedures, in line with humanitarian principles and applicable protocols, including movement permits, special permissions, and border access for personnel and goods where needed.
• Support the programs by engaging with authorities and working on the required permissions for the Program activities.
• Manage the planning and implementation of the security management plans at Azaz in coordination with the Humanitarian access manager and support from the field manager.
• Inform programs and operations staff of requirements for humanitarian access during planning.
• Ensure timely completion of processes and procedures to facilitate effective and efficient access.
• Manage and maintain records of permits, clearances, and exemptions from relevant actors.
• Provide - in coordination with the Humanitarian Access Manager - direct support to staff and management to resolve access issues, including interference, at checkpoints, border crossings, distribution sites, and facilities through coordination, liaison, and negotiation.
• Under the supervision of the Humanitarian Access Manager, train and advise staff on a periodic basis on humanitarian access issues including humanitarian principles, communication, negotiation, acceptance strategies, and access procedures.
• Track and report on the humanitarian access environment including incidents and issues to inform humanitarian access planning and management and recommend solutions.
• Support assessment of new sites and locations and the promotion of acceptance and access.
• Assist the Humanitarian Access Manager and the Field Manager in conducting and maintaining accurate risk assessments of International Rescue Committee operational locations.
• Report any violations to the appropriate International Rescue Committee authorities and participate in preventative initiatives.
• Actively contribute to information exchange both internally and externally and share in a timely manner.
• Assist the Humanitarian Access Manager, as required, with incident management and incident reporting.
• In liaison with the Humanitarian Access Manager, provide comprehensive, neutral, and non-partisan information on security risks, threats, and incidents that occur in southern Syria.
• Managing security guards in Azaz office.
• Provide support when needed to other field offices in coordination with the Humanitarian Access Manager.
• Other duties as needed or requested by the supervisor.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members (e.g., security guards) in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• 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.
• Approve and manage time, attendance, and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• 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.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of the succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop the capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition roles and responsibilities, by the end of the assignment.