Job Description

IRC is looking for a Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (SHASM) for its EVD Response in the DRC, based in Beni, with frequent trips to other program sites. Under the supervision of EVD Response Director, the SHASM is part of the EVD Response Senior Management Team (SMT), and is responsible for facilitating humanitarian access and the safety and security of IRC personnel and assets in the Grand Nord and Ituri.

The SHASM is responsible for leading all aspects of humanitarian access, information and context analysis, documentation and compliance, and operational security. S/he ensures organizational security policies and procedures respond to the context, are appropriate and well-known to staff, and to provide advice on humanitarian access processes and approaches in close collaboration with the program teams. S/he analyzes security trends, provides advice, updates and implements the IRC security management plan.

The SHASM provides both direct and technical supervisor to a team of security professionals in the Grand Nord and Ituri.

Responsibilities

Humanitarian access (30%)

• Develop and maintain of an access strategy within the area of operations;
• Build ongoing relations with local authorities, key community leaders, non-state armed actors and other forces in the Grand Nord and Ituri in a principled manner;
• Ensure that IRC, its mission and its work are known and accepted;
• Advise program teams on risk reduction measures for project beneficiaries ('Do no harm');
• Coordinate requests from the EVD Response and the complex emergencies program to conduct assessments in new locations;
• Provide technical information and advice during assessments in new locations.

Internal Coordination and HR Management (20%)

• Provide technical support to and coordinate the work of the security team;
• Support the development of clear work plans with measureable objectives for all members of the security team;
• Participate in EVD SMT meetings and advise the group on access and security issues;
• Ensure a strong coordination with the Security & Access team from the Country Program
• Maintain professional relationships with team members by promoting a strong team spirit and providing support and mentorship to enable staff to work successfully in their positions;
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability in the IRC way (the IRC way)-Global Standards of professional conduct-and ensure membership.

Information and Context Analysis (20%)

• Understand contextual currents and identify potential impact on IRC operations in the Grand Nord and Ituri;
• Actively engage with programs as necessary to enable risk-aware humanitarian operations;
• Produce an analysis of possible scenarios in areas of operations where IRC is present and advise teams on programs and operations adaptations;
• Compile and submit security reports daily and monthly based on IRC standards;
• Recommend and implement security risk mitigation measures appropriate to the local context to enable program implementation. (Risk management).

Documentation and Compliance (10%)

• Work closely with IRC teams in field offices in the Grand Nord and Ituri to ensure that incident management procedures are followed;
• Provide technical guidance to the EVD Response SMT on all policies, procedures and guidelines for personnel safety, operational security and program continuity;
• Conduct risk analyses in a participatory and regular way for locations of intervention and on specific axes or areas as needed and identifies significant mitigation measures;
• Evaluate, review and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), contingency plans (CP), and security management plans (SMP) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Conduct a review of the hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices and residences in the Grand Nord and Ituri, and ensure that practical preparations are in place and known to all staff involved;
• Update orientation material and briefing packages for new staff and visitors to the country;
• Give teams advice on the best possible solutions in the use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff members, including proposals for alternative means and equipment for secure communication. Be proactive and operational in order to facilitate implementation of recommended measures.

Trainings and Briefings (10%)

• Develop a training plan that addresses capacity building needs for IRC's Ebola Response teams including security awareness (Level 1) for all staff, safe management (Level 2) and humanitarian access for security focal points;
• In coordination with HR, advertise the e-learning initiative for all staff and security focal points;
• Ensure that visitors and new staff receive a briefing and/or orientation on arrival.

Networking & External Coordination (10%)

• Developp and maintain a network of contacts among other humanitarian actors operating in the same areas as IRC;
• Attend external coordination meetings on security and humanitarian access;
• Ensure that the Security & Access team develops strong local contacts within the various communities where IRC intervenes through both regular and irregular actors.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of work with a Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) within international humanitarian assistance with proven capacity in the planning and execution of complex tasks and projects;
• Demonstrated humanitarian security management in high-risk areas;
• An understanding of humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific work related to the NGO field and the contexts of operations;
• Ability to conduct a complex contextual analysis and identify emerging currents.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• High degree of flexibility and ability to work under sometimes extreme hardship conditions against tight deadlines;

• Ability to turn intention into practice with mentoring and coaching;

• Humility, respect, and desire to work in multicultural/multi-ethnic environments;

• Strong computer and communication equipment skills, including Microsoft Office applications;

• Must be able and authorized to drive manual transmission 4WD vehicles.

Language Skills

Fluency in French and English required. Knowledge of Swahili is an asset.