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  Field Security Advisors (x2) (100%)

Netherlands

  • Organization: MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières (Artsen Zonder Grenzen) - Netherlands
  • Location: Netherlands
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security policy
    • Security and Safety
  • Closing Date: Closed

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.   

We provide emergency medical assistance during armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases and assist those who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based on need and when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization that remains impartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes the difference between life and death.   

People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they work together.   

The Operations Team in Amsterdam is responsible for managing our field projects and countries. In this team the Field Security Advisor supports the field programs in complex and insecure contexts and advices on adequate security management and critical incident preparedness for the full operations portfolio.  

 

 

The Operations department of MSF-OCA is looking for two: 

 

 
Field Security Advisors (x2) (100%) 
(Preferably based in Amsterdam. Remote working maybe considered but not preferred) 

 

 

We are looking for two Field Security Advisors under the same job description but with different focus areas. One Security Advisor will mostly focus on security management and the second will focus on crises management.  

 

Place in the organisation  

  • Reports to the Deputy Director of Operations (Dep DirOps 

  • If appointed as Critical Incident Management Team Leader (CIMT Leader), reports to Decision Making Authority (DMA), who is the final person responsible for overseeing Crisis Management 

 

Objective(s) of the position  

  • To improve the quality and consistency of security management across all OCA missions, with particular emphasis towards supporting missions in challenging security environments.  

  • Responsible for the overall capacity in MSF OCA for an adequate Critical Incident (CI) response 

 

Main Characteristics  

 

Security Management  

  • Provides advice to Heads of Missions (HoMs) and Operations Managers (OMs) on the development of risk analyses and security management plans, including Standard Operating Procedures and contingency protocols, with a specific focus on new missions and projects.  

  • Carries out regular safety and security audits in field missions 

  • Maintains an overview of recommendations endorsed/rejected by OMs for verification by Dirops.  

  • Reviews, develops and conducts safety and security training modules for relevant staff, including for the PPD, PMC and AMC courses and providing training for guards and drivers when in the field.  

  • Ensures the Security Framework is kept updated and available for the specific audiences.  

  • Maintains an overview of the status of mission level security documentation and practices (CSPs, LSPs, Profiling documentation) and flags need for updates via the Dep DOP. 

  • Maintains oversight of the SINDY database, SIMON security monitoring tool and related Power BI reports. Supports the field with implementation and provides initial security incident analysis for review by Operations team, twice a year, and shares agreed conclusion with other sections.  

  • Liaises on technical applied security measures and safety issues with Applied Security Advisor at FSU and ensures coherent approach between the two roles.  

  • Identifies emerging security-related (research) topics with Security Working group and provides initial analysis.  

 

Crisis management  

  • Responsible for the overall crisis management capacity within OCA to ensure an adequate organizational reaction towards critical incidents, including selection and rostering of key CIMT/CIRT members with DirOps and Ops assistant.  

  • Maintains updated crisis protocols (CI Framework) and filing of key documentation, including documents from critical incidents.  

  • Organises and facilitate regular training for OCA CIMT, FIMTs and CIRTs, including online, and for other sections/offices.  

  • Ensures that reviews and analyses of Critical incidents are done and conclusions are incorporated into existing protocols. Shares lessons with other sections via SIMM platform.  

  • Participates in CIMT, upon request of Dirops.  

 

 

Communication  

Internal  

  • Maintains dialogue with Head of Missions, Operations Managers/Advisors, and Emergency Support Desk (ESD) on security-related developments in (critical) missions.  

  • Leads OCA Security Working group with quarterly meetings.  

  • Liaises with Dep DOP, ESD and Learning and Development for developing security training modules.  

  • Liaises closely with Applied Security Referent in FSU, Humanitarian Access Advisor and Information Security Officer.   

  • Participates in security-related discussions in Operations Platform.  

  • Liaises with Operations assistant for filing and rostering of security related matters. 

 

External  

  • Participates, and represents MSF-OCA, in intersectional MSF security forums.  

  • Contributes to maintaining a network of security experts and consultants.  

  • Participates, and represents MSF-OCA, in external security forums as required.  

 

 
Candidate profile 

  • 3-5 years field experience in complex emergency and highly-insecure contexts with MSF or with an INGO of similar humanitarian contexts; 

  • Experience in relevant senior positions (e.g., Head of Mission, Logistics Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator, Project Coordinator); 

  • Experience in training and delivering knowledge; 

  • Is willing to work long and irregular hours during critical incidents;  

  • Is willing to travel frequently to field programs (approx. 40%) (including at short notice); 

  • Is capable of directing people of various disciplines and cultural backgrounds over time and distance; 

  • Takes initiative and decisions and comes up with a vision based on his/her own judgment; 

  • Is capable of strategic/conceptual and analytical thinking, who is result oriented and has proven skills to translate concepts into practice; 

  • Has gained experience with a range of issues and responsibilities within the respective organisation, such as security management, policy formulation, financial and human resource management; 

  • Languages: Excellent command of English is required for both candidates. Excellent command of French is required for the second candidate. Spanish and/or Arabic is highly desirable for both candidates. 

 

 
We offer 
A challenging position within a stimulating, professional working environment in a major international organisation. 
 
A contract for one year with a renewal option (based on a full-time appointment (40 hours/week).  

 

Should you be based in Amsterdam, a Dutch contract with a gross monthly salary in scale 8 with a current salary range between 4,180- and 5,965-euro gross per month. The exact salary depends on relevant work experience and based on a full-time appointment. 
 
Attractive secondary benefits (e.g., premium free pension, 30 holidays, L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities). 

 

We may consider some flexibility for other locations where MSF has a presence (subject to terms and conditions) with regular travel to Amsterdam HQ. Preferably from one of the global MSF locations and with the ability to adapt to the CET time zone and the flexibility to visit HQ in Amsterdam on a regular basis.  

 
Application 
If you recognise yourself in this profile and meet the requirements, we welcome you to apply directly via the Apply button on this page and upload a letter of motivation + Curriculum Vitae (in English) as one combined document (only applications with motivation will be included in the process). 
 
The closing date for applications is 22 January 2023 at 23h59 CET. 
 
Information 
If you are interested in this vacancy and would like additional information about the recruitment procedure, please contact Ali Hamdan (Recruiter) at ali.hamdan@amsterdam.msf.org 

 
For more information about the position, please contact Akke Boere (Deputy Director of Operations) at Akke.Boere@amsterdam.msf.org. 

 

Please do not send your application to the contact persons, rather follow the procedure mentioned above. 

 

 

***No agencies please*** 

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This vacancy is now closed.
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