About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 500 people working in North and South Kivu, with the overall country goal to support vulnerable communities through crises, while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps’ national office is in Goma with sub-field offices in North Kivu and South Kivu.

Mercy Corps’ key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs in order to: 1) Improve water service delivery and ensuring equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development.
Mercy Corps DRC’s humanitarian programs aim specifically to assist populations affected by the conflict and crisis in Eastern Congo. With funding from humanitarian donors including ECHO, OFDA, DFID and UN-donors, the humanitarian portfolio continues to expand in order to provide multi-purpose cash assistance and emergency WASH to displaced and host populations. An Ebola virus outbreak has recently been confirmed in Beni area of North-Kivu province. Mercy Corps is working in close coordination with other actors and is implementing a WASH response with other partners. All Mercy Corps interventions in DRC are implemented in a conflict and gender sensitive manner.

General Position Summary

The County Safety and Security Manager will manage all aspects of the Country Safety Risk

Management (SRM) system. The CSSM, in consultation with local safety staff and program managers, is expected to pursue the following objectives in his/her daily work:

• Manage the Security Safety Risk Management (SSRM) process
• Develop and supervise the implementation of area safety management policies, protocols and procedures
• Perform Security Safety Risk Assessments (SSRAs) and supervise the implementation of mitigation/ prevention measures
• Oversee the information management, analysis and reporting process for all area of operations
• Maintain relevant safety documentation, data and records for the areas of concern
• Facilitate and deliver safety-related training to local and international staff
• Mentor and provide technical supervision to Deputy Security Manager and/ or Security Officers
• Develop the capacity of, and coordinate, the Security Management Team in the DRC
• Act as the focal point for contractual and procurement issues related to security & safety risk management.

Essential Job Responsibilities

SECURITY SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

• Perform area-specific SSRAs and conduct Security Safety Level assessments.
• Advise Program and Heads of Offices on available Security Safety Management Strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks.
• Develop and supervise the implementation of Security Management Plan (SMP), including Local Security Plan; Security briefing Board (SBB), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); Contingency Plans (CPs); mitigation action plans; and Minimum Operating Safety Standards (MOSS).
• Develop, update and supervise the implementation of security/ safety improvement action plans for each filed locations
• Develop area-specific Contingency Planning. Is aware of Crisis Management guidelines, and will serve on the crisis management team.
• Assist in the management and resolution of safety incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports

SECURITY & CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION ANALYSIS

• Provision of regular analysis, statistics and reporting on key developments within the area of operations
• Tailored analysis and assessments, including SSRAs, on specific areas, themes, issues or scenarios
• Is primarily responsible for humanitarian access strategies and developing these with colleagues in the context of program operations.
• Establish and maintain a list of contacts throughout the area of interest
• Maintain and update the incident tracking database in the area of operation, and provide trend/pattern analysis
• Provide advice on program development and implementation, including program assessments
• Identify potential scenarios, indicators of change and key decision points
• Oversee the implementation of field travel SOPs and planning

REPRESENTATION & INFLUENCE

• Focal point for safety co-ordination between relevant actors within the area of operations
• Attend INSO, OCHA, UNDSS and other relevant external fora
• Establish a network of contacts and represent MC at security meetings
• Participate in the SMT in the event of a critical incident or crisis

STAFF TRAINING & LEARNING

• Provide operational safety briefings and orientation to all new and visiting staff
• Brief new international and non-local staff on specific cultural norms and behaviors
• Train local safety staff in the delivery of establish safety training modules
• Organize and coordinate the delivery of Personal Security Safety Training (PSST) on a quarterly basis
• Brief SMT members on their responsibilities and ensure alternate members are available and briefed
• Quality assurance of safety-related policies, protocols, procedures and regulations

STAFF SAFETY & SECURITY

• Assist logisticians and administrators with the procurement, delivery and control of security/ safety equipment
• Act as the security focal point for telecommunications systems, including radios, tracking devices and satellite phones
• Coordinate and directly supervise all field visits outside of the office
• Supervise all travel authorizations for permanent and visiting international staff Brief all incoming staff and visitors

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

Country Security Team

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Operations

Works Directly With: Head of Offices, Operations Managers, Directors and Program Managers. Regional Security Advisor

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field, masters preferred
• 3-5 years’ experience as a Head of Office, Security Manager or Operation Manager in high risk countries
• Security management experience with a proven ability to develop and implement effective and contextualized protocols and systems
• Detailed knowledge of radio and other telecommunications systems
• Experience with critical incident management
• Experience with delivering security-related training
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Stable and robust character, team-player
• Excellent communication skills
• Required fluency in written and spoken French or Swahili, and English
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.

Success Factors

The successful Safety and Security Manager will combine effective leadership of complex teams and the ability to lead by example and influence. Also S/he will be expected to have a proven ability to build internal staff capacity and competency and to provide program support services. Flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving, ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative and be accountable for results, knowledge of security standards, precautionary measures, communication protocols and passion for professional learning and development are vital skill that we expect the Safety and Security Manager to have.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This is an unaccompanied post based in Goma. The position is entitled to shared staff housing in Goma and is not eligible for hardship.

While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Goma, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity and petty crime is on the increase. Mercy Corps' sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Years of conflict and corruption have badly damaged the country's infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. There are virtually no telephone landlines in the DRC, though mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required (up to 40%) where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.