Humanitarian Access & Security Officer
- Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
- Location:
- Grade: Mid level - Mid level
-
Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Security and Safety
- Closing Date: Closed
BACKGROUND:
The
International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian
crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at
the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing
assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in
more than 40 countries, IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to
millions who are uprooted and struggling to survive.
More
than 3.6 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and
over 6.5 million Ukrainians are reported to be displaced. As the vast majority
of the displaced are women, girls, and boys, this could become the worst
humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades.
Between
February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland
and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society
landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict
in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February
24th, the IRC has pivoted to an emergency response, and have
identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate
assistance that can be used where it is the most needed. Simultaneously, the
IRC is establishing operations across Ukraine and Poland to complement partner
response services either in breadth or scale.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The IRC is seeking a Humanitarian
Access and Security Officer (HASO) for its Ukraine operations with travel
to program locations. The HASO will work within
the Humanitarian Access and Security Unit, to ensure that organizational
security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, are
contextually appropriate and known to staff, and will advise on humanitarian
access processes and approaches in close coordination with program teams.
Reporting to the Humanitarian
Access, Safety, Security Manager (HASSM), the HASO will implement IRC Safety
& Security management measures, as well as support in providing
contextual analysis and understanding to decision makers, and engage with key
stakeholders to gain and maintain humanitarian access to those most in need.
The HASO will prioritise the humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty
of care and the IRC’s strategy action plans for Ukraine in their work
The HASO will conduct onsite briefings
for staff, support the development and implementation of appropriate plans,
standard operating procedures, and contingency plans. S/he will support in providing
expert humanitarian security and access advice to all levels of IRC staff
across the program including building relationships, negotiating and mediating
humanitarian access, contextual understanding, and conflict analysis,
advisories, and incident management.
REPORTING
RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION:
Reports to: the Humanitarian Access, Safety,
Security Manager (HASSM)
Supervises: Security staff as necessary as
program expands.
Key Interfaces: Emergency Response
Team, Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator and other relevant staff
as necessary with program expansion.
External:
RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety
and Security Management
Support the HASSM in providing technical
support to the Programs and the wider team on all policies, procedures,
guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security and
program continuity.
Support the
HASSM in evaluating, reviewing and updating security management plans on
a regular basis. Reference and ensure compliance to the IRC Security
Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes.
Support the
HASSSM in working with key stakeholders to develop, consolidate and
implement operating procedures and contingency plans.
Support the
HASSM in evaluating, reviewing and updating the hibernation and
evacuation plans for IRC sites in Ukraine and ensure that practical
preparations are in place and known to all relevant staff.
Support the
HASSM in conducting risk assessments of contracted and prospective
offices and residences. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure
compliance with safety and security standards.
Support the
HASSM in undertaking continual assessments of equipment, and the
protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal
conditions for security are being met.
Implement best possible solutions
for use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff,
including proposing safe alternative means of communication and
equipment.
Follow up on actions to be taken
to ensure compliance with safety and security standards
Support the HASSM in ensuring safety and
security protocols, reporting mechanisms, and capacity building
initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles and
background, and are sensitive to local contexts.
Networking and Liaison
Monitor and provide support and reporting on NGO field security initiatives, as required.
Work to ensure that IRC, its
mission and work in all areas of operation is known and accepted.
Work to encourage stakeholders to
collaborate with IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and
given permission to continue humanitarian activities in Ukraine
Liaise with
relevant security actors e.g., NGO security staff, security forces,
local community stakeholders, local authorities.
Context Understanding and Reporting
Compile and submit regular reports that track
incidents and trends in humanitarian access and local security contexts
within IRC’s areas of operation.
Submit daily contextual updates as needed to
relevant field and program management staff.
Work closely with IRC field management teams
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 that final incident reports are provided
when IRC is closing the case.
Monitor the operating environment in the
region, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities and recommend
possible responses
Coordinate regularly with the HASSM on safety
and security, and fulfill reporting requirements to the respective
office(s) as well as other locations of IRC interest
Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents along with appropriate advice to IRC field and program management staff.
Program Development
Support the HASSM in advising program staff developing
conflict-sensitive and contextually appropriate approaches in Ukraine
Support the HASSM in participating in program
review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the
timely, safe, and secure delivery of IRC service to beneficiaries
Support the HASSM in advising program and
field management teams on context-specific risks pertaining to humanitarian
access, safety, and security, and contribute to the development and
implementation of mitigation measures and plans.
Staff Performance Management, Learning &
Development
If applicable, 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
If applicable, as required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with IRC Staff Employment Policies
Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
REQUIREMENTS
Job Requirements
Education: Graduation from a higher education facility in a
relevant subject is preferred, however secondary eduction and significant
professional experience will be considered.
Work
Experience:
Demonstrable experience of civilian, non-profit or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs, having understaken planning, organizing and executing security operations in the field.
Experience of obtaining information on local, national, and international development, and providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur (both written and verbal)
Demonstrated Technical Skills:
Skilled in organizing large-scale,
fast-paced, responsive field programs
Situational awareness and opportunity
awareness
Solid ability to provide team-building,
coaching, and development for staff as well as encourage
cross-functional collaboration and cooperation
Strong organizational and coordination skills
Knowledge and
proficiency in the use of communications technology, including,
satellite communications, cell phone mediums, etc.
Demonstrated Leadership Competencies:
Excellent relationship-building,
interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at
forums and with external stakeholders
Strong negotiation and mediation skills
essential with experience in conflict resolution essential
Superior oral and written communication
skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and
persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
Experience of working successfully with local
stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, local authorities,
government etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.
Experience in design and supporting training
engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to
changing program demands
Languages Required/Preferred:
Fluency
in spoken and written Ukrainian, Russian and English.
Computer/Other Requirements:
Full
professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word,
Excel, PowerPoint
Ability to Travel: up to 50% traveling
This position
will be based in locations where IRC have presence. As this is a fluid and
rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on
the needs of the program.This position will be unaccompanied, with the possibility of review at
the end of the first year. Housing will initially be in hotels, or shared,
IRC accommodation, unless it is in HASO’s personal residency.
Standards
of Professional Conduct The IRC
and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC
Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and
Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and
enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse,
Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity,
Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in
leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment
for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave,
gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and
allowances.
Working Environment
Staff must comply with all IRC security policies
and procedures applicable to IRC employee.
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.
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