Safety and Security Manager at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safety and Security Manager

Requisition ID: req8559
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Safety & Security
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Background

• International Rescue Committee (IRC) supports communities in transition to help people whose lives and livelihoods are destroyed by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. We work across five outcome areas; economic wellbeing, education, health, power and safety, with outcomes maintaining strong gender, governance and conflict sensitive components. We currently deliver high-impact and cost-effective solutions in nearly 40 countries.
• The conflict in North East Nigeria has displaced over 1.9 million people and shattered livelihoods of many more. Since 2014 IRC has been delivering support to communities affected; across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, with field offices in Maiduguri, Monguno, Gwoza, Damaturu, Yola and Mubi and a country office in Abuja.
• With over 700 staff we deliver humanitarian support and longer term recovery programming in health, nutrition, WASH, education, protection, economic recovery and livelihoods. We work in coordination with State government Ministries, WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, UN OCHA and other development organisations. IRC is an active participant in coordination mechanisms to contribute to improved impact.

Scope of Work

• The Safety & Security Manager (S&S Manager), under the direct supervision of the Safety & Security Coordinator (SSC), supports the IRC Nigeria Country Program in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risk in order to facilitate access for humanitarian programming in Borno State and to ensure IRC operates within acceptable S&S risk levels.
• To do this, the role will work with the existing security and operation staff to ensure that IRC staff deployed to the field are supported and oriented on the existing protocols.
• The S&S Manager is based in Maiduguri, and will spend 70% of time supporting and visiting areas of operation and field offices in Borno State (Maiduguri, Konduga, Magumeri, Mafa, Monguno, Gwoza, and Bama) and any other hard to reach location where IRC might expand operations.
• The role will further entail advising Field Security Management Teams/ Program Managers/ Security Focal Persons on various security matters; contribute in implementing the country security policies and facilitate the rollout of security standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regular reporting on compliance.
• The S&S Manager will liaise with the SSC and Field Management Team to organize regular security and refresher training to enable IRC staff have a constant understanding of the context and existing security plans.
• The manger will ensure timely reporting of security incidences and dissemination of security information to all staff.

Major Responsibilities

Safety and security risk management and systems:

• Collate, analyze and disseminate security information as approved or advised by the SSC or Field Management Team to IRC staff and ensuring the information remains accurate and neutral.
• Assist the SSC and support field bases to conduct security risk assessments (SRAs) of IRC program locations in Maiduguri, Monguno, Gwoza and Bama  using the standard SRA & Security Level tool and to monitor the contextual trends prior to and continuously after deployment of staff.
• Contribute to the development and review of IRC field offices security plans, contingency plans, and security SOPs.
• Work closely with IRC Senior Area Managers (SAMs) to ensure that Safety and Security Standards within the base offices are maintained and implemented in line with the recommendations from assessments reports.
• Constantly visit the base offices and conduct security trainings, workshops and socialization sessions to staff to embolden their understanding of IRC security management and deal with the dynamic threats within their areas of operations including contingency planning.
• Enforce IRC Security SOPs within the area of jurisdiction and advice program staff accordingly. Constantly and immediately notify the SSC or Field Management Team of any breach to the procedures in the SOPs.
• Conduct regular checks on IRC premises in Borno State, provide recommendations for improvement, follow up on their implementation, and report any areas of improvement to SSC or Field Management Team for immediate action.
• Work closely with SAMs and the Field Management Team to ensure that Security Focal Group (SFG) meetings in Maiduguri, Monguno and Gwoza are held and minutes submitted to SSC as required.
• Conduct security briefing and orientation to all newly hired staff, staff on mission or international visitors using the standard IRC briefing format, and maintain an updated briefing tracking sheet.
• Assist the SSC initiating security alerts as appropriate in line with the ever evolving security context across State through the existing Warden System.
• Work with the Senior Security Liaison Officer to ensure that staff movement within Maiduguri, to Konduga, Magumeri, Mafa, and any other field site are well tracked and communication using Sat Phone and VHF is maintained.
• Guide field teams on how to undertake security risk assessments during field missions to programme areas and potential programme areas; report on findings and design necessary improvements.
• Ensure that incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and distributed to Field Management Team, and maintain an updated incident tracking sheet.
• Monitor events, review incidents and coordinate analysis, follow-up actions and recommendations in close coordination with the SSC, Field Management Team, and Program Managers.
• Provide security update, which includes situational analysis, actions taken and actions recommended, to the Field Management Team on a regular and as per request basis.
• Submit written weekly and monthly security reports and trend analysis to the SSC.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Supervise, and build the capacity of security team members including the contracted guards.
• 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 all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• 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 succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• 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.

Research, Learning and Analysis:

• Continuously using different established sources such as UNDSS, INSO and other independent sources, collate or research security information, produce objective analysis which can be used to make informed decision to the security management plan.

Coordination & Representation:

• Attend any local stakeholder’s coordination meetings/forums within Maiduguri, Monguno or Gwoza or any other meeting as might be directed by the supervisor.
• Liaise with government, Military, Police, DSSS, Local Heads and other key external stakeholders to ensure that IRC staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Deputy Directors (Field Management, Operations, Programs), Senior Area Managers, Program Managers
• External: Network of external IRC stakeholders relevant for safety and security, including UNDSS, INSO, other NGOs, military, police, and local leaders.
• Report to: Safety & Security Coordinator
• Supervises: Senior Security Liaison Officer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Security Management / Disaster Management / International Relations, or a field related to humanitarian work or risk management.
• Professional training and certification with recognized security bodies will be considered.

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience in an INGO or UN body operating in northeast of Nigeria or other hostile areas as a security focal person or in a similar role of security management.
• In-depth knowledge or work experience in conflict or post-conflict and/or complex emergency environment.
• Demonstrated Technical Skills:
• Security Risk Assessment in INGO hostile environment set up.
• Competency in using and maintaining field-based communications systems (HF, VHF radios and Satellite phones).
• Security incident analysis and report writing skills.
• Good communication (verbal and writing) and interpersonal relationships development skills.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in security management, advisory, analysis and capacity building role in an international organization setting.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in fast-paced team environments and to be available 24/7 whenever a security incident occurs.
• Training and facilitation skills using different training media.
• Ability to develop Security Plans and SOPs.

Languages:

• English, and local languages in the northeast of Nigeria
• Computer/Other Tech Requirements:
• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use mapping software or applications.

Working Environment:

• The position will work in the Maiduguri Field Office, with consistent travel to other sites in Borno State, including Konduga, Magumeri, Mafa, Monguno, Gwoza and Bama. The program site in Northern Nigeria. This is security level 3 – orange.
• There is a state government curfew of 10pm.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.