Job Overview/Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator and technical support of Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Coordinator (HASSC), the Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager (HASSM) should maintain, improve and expand principled humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in area of responsibility through development and overseeing the implementation of humanitarian access and security management plans in compliance with IRC’s strategy and in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, Duty of Care and Gender Equality principles.

The post holder will provide professional advice to all IRC entities based in Yola, to identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in the areas of operations and will ensure that adequate and up-to-date policies and procedures are in place and ensure people have the information they need to manage operations, to identify issues, and to recommend and implement measures to reduce them.

The Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager Position, under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator of supports the teams in Yola and Mubi in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risk to facilitate access for humanitarian programming, operates within acceptable Safety &Security risk levels.

The role will work independently but where necessary, with technical support from the existing IRC security structure to ensure that the project staff deployed to the field are supported and oriented on the required protocols. To achieve this, the HASSM will be based in Yola and regularly support the team in Mubi.

The role will further entail advising the management team and other project staff on various security matters; contribute to implementing the security policies and facilitate the rollout of security SOPs, and regular reporting on compliance.

The HASS Manager will liaise with the HASS Coordinator, Senior HASS Coordinator and externally liaises with relevant stake holders like the military, police DSS, government officials and traditional authorities for collaboration, acceptance, and ease of access. The HASS Manager will organize regular security training and refresher training to enable staff have a constant understanding of the context and existing security plans.

Major Responsibilities

Humanitarian Access Management:

• Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites throughout Northeast.
• Ensure humanitarian access approaches are responsive to local context and include overarching community engagement components.
• Ensure that the IRC field safety, security, and access teams conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in Nigeria in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and the IRC’s strategy.
• Work to ensure that IRC, its mission and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted.
• Work to encourage stakeholders to work with the IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities in Northeast.
• Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations within Northeast.
• Assist in the continued development of humanitarian access teams and activities across Northeast.
• Contribute to developing and implementing guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors articulating standard IRC policy and guidance.
• Oversee and advise on the implementation and review of tailored acceptance strategies.
• Maintain a high level of preparedness vis-a-vis predicted contextual fluctuations operationally and programmatically.  
• Enhance IRC image and acceptance within the community and amongst stakeholders by providing guidance on inclusive visibility strategies.
• Work with appropriate IRC units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of IRC’s Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles.

Safety and Security Risk Management and System:

• Share Daily Security Report/updates with all Adamawa staff.
• Share Daily Situation Report/updates with SMT, HASST team and other relevant senior staff.
• Maintain updated security incident and ensure timely reporting of security incidents and dissemination of security information to all staff.
• Ensures that incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and distributed to the Management team.
• Conduct security briefing and orientation to all newly hired staff, staff on mission or international visitors using the standard briefing format. He/She will ensure that an updated briefing tracking sheet is maintained.
• With the support of relevant staff, conduct security risk assessment of the program locations in Adamawa using the standard SRA & Security Level tool, and to monitor the contextual trends prior to and continuously after deployment of staff.
• Work closely with Field Coordinator, HASS Coordinator and Senior HASS Coordinator to ensure that Safety and Security Standards in Adamawa and Yola offices are maintained and implemented in line with the recommendations from assessment repots.
• Assist Field Coordinator and HASSC to collate, analyze, and disseminate security information as approved or advised by the SHASS Coordinator to the project staff and ensuring the information remains accurate and neutral.
• Contribute to the development and review of Project field offices FSMP, CPs, security plans, Contingency plans, and standards operating procedures.
• Enforce Security SOPs within the area of jurisdiction and advise staff accordingly. Constantly and immediately notify the SHASS Coordinator of any breach to the procedures in the SOPs.
• Conducting regular checks on IRC premises in Mubi and Yola, provide recommendation on their improvement and follow up on their implementation. Any areas of improvement to be reported to SHASS Coordinator, HASS Coordinator and Field Coordinator for immediate action.
• Initiate security alerts as appropriate in line with the ever-evolving security context across two states through the existing Warden System, Bulk SMS, and Early Warning Group.
• Ensure that staff movement are well tracked and communication using Sat Phone is maintained.
• Guide field teams on how to undertake security risk assessments during field missions to program areas and potential program areas, report on findings and design necessary improvements.
• Work on identification and mitigation of potential security risks to staff, assets and operational/program security and validates mitigation measure within security risk assessments.
• Monitor events, review incidents, and coordinate analysis, follow-up actions and recommendations in close coordination with the HASS Coordinator and the Field Coordinator.
• 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.

Documentation:

• Ensure all S&S documentation for Northeast as per Global S&S policy and Standards are update and systematically filed.
• Ensure that a centralized filing system of security-related documents is maintained in Nigeria.
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile reports on security assessments of offices, staff guest houses, field sites and project areas.
• Systematically map all incidents on a dedicated map and provide timely analysis to identify emerging trends.  Ensure field offices adhere to the same process and share information with the post holder.

Briefing, Training and Capacity Building:

• Ensure Security briefings (arrival and complete) are of adequate quality and done in timely manner.
• Work with national and international staff to build a shared understanding of security analysis and risk mitigation.
• Provide an annual training/ development plan for IRC staff in Adamawa state regarding safety, security, and access.
• With the support of the SHASSC & HASSC, develop a standardized security training method and provide security training for all staff in safety and security related subjects ensuring that policy and guidelines are understood and are being adopted and implemented across the program. 
• Act as a team facilitator during the development of Field office Security Management Plans.
• Build capacity of Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Officer and other IRC staff in Northeast.
• Guide and train all staff to ensure the Country’s Minimum Standards in Safety and Security are followed and respected.

Program Development:

• Participate in program design in close cooperation with the Field Coordinator, respective sector leads.
• Participate in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the timely, safe, and secure delivery of IRC service to beneficiaries.
• Advise program and field management teams on context-specific risks pertaining humanitarian access, safety, and security, and contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation measures and plans.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Adamawa state.
• 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.

Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree preferably in a field related to Security Risk Management.

Work Experience:

• Substantial practical field experience in security management in a leadership role (e.g. direct INGO security management).
• 3 – 5 years’ work experience in insecure/hostile environments with I/NGO as security officer.
• Experience and knowledge of personnel and organizational security issues, threat/risk assessment, security management and security awareness in an insecure environment.
• Experience of incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation and analysis functions, set up and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), compilation of security reports and assessments.
• Experience in training and coaching national and international staff in safety and security.
• Technical competency and training experience in field-based communications systems such as HF Codan, Motorola VHF, Thuraya, satellite systems and internet systems.
• Ability to adapt to needs and balance demands of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination.
• Sound knowledge of humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality as outlined in the Humanitarian Charter and the International Red Cross Code of Conduct.
• Strong report writing, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in Adamawa and Northeast, Nigeria experience strongly preferred. 

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Proven experience as a professional and reliable manager (including management of people and projects) 
• Highly 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 
• Solid organizational and coordination skills 

Demonstrated Managerial/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 with experience in conflict resolution are essential 
• Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders 
• Experience working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc., with sensitivity and diplomacy. 
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands