Iraq Security Manager

Position Location: Iraq
Description
PROJECT / FIELD OF ACTIVITY:
Relief International’s security management system in Iraq was put in place to minimize the risks to which its staff members are exposed in their working environment.
Together with technical measures, the system incorporates risk management advice, risk analysis, and risk assessment strategies that are designed to ensure the physical safety of our staff, and help them fulfill their development cooperation duties safely in a conflict-laden environment. The Security Department is to advise RI staff members at different project locations on managing risk.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

You will be responsible for all tasks related to managing security at the day-to-day, operational level, including emergency scenarios, in an environment marked by violence. You will be responsible for maintaining a modern risk management system and drafting corresponding codes of conduct and guidelines for the Iraq staff. You will continually monitor the security situation in Iraq and the region in general and in project locations in particular, collect and assess security-relevant information and put it into context. In addition to maintaining contacts with local and national authorities and international state and non-state actors, you will compile risk analyses, incident reports, routine security reports, district profiles and other research documents. You will also keep employees up-to-date on the current security situation and implement directives to protect staff. Providing advice on security-relevant adaptations to buildings and assessing office premises and private properties (site protection), complete your task profile.

1. Coordinates establishment of security support systems in RI’s Iraq Office; ensures that RI is linked via all interagency and security coordination lists to establish RI security presence in the INGO community; attends interagency security coordination meetings.

2. Conducts scheduled and ad-hoc field residencies at each program site, including central and sub-offices and program delivery locations for security assessments and audits. Residencies must take at least 60% of time each month and be fully coordinated via the senior country staff and HQ.

Upon arrival in each program site (initially and routinely), conducts a comprehensive assessment / audit of all existing security policies and procedures on paper and in practice at program sites, offices, residencies, and with respect to vehicles; provides and implements recommendations in consultation with the Executive director (MSME)

3. Leads an ongoing process of review and revision of security policies and procedures to ensure understanding, buy-in, and compliance by staff; routinely revises (writes and edits) safety and security plans for review by HQ.

4. Recommends and/or provides staff training on safety and security in a proactive and positive manner that promotes inclusion, participation, and leadership among the entire RI team, including expatriates, local national staff, and women. Is knowledgeable and sensitive to training needs and issues that must be understood to promote a positive organizational profile, cultural respect, and abide by the RI Code of Conduct.

5. Liaises with UN & interagency security personnel on security matters for country programs and in Iraq; advises Executive Director (MSME)(s) and HQ on security issues; provides security briefings and updates for RI staff and visitors.

6. Applies situation appropriate rules and guidance per RI’s Field Security SOP’s, MOSS and UNSECOORD; conducts visits to RI’s field project offices and residential sites to assess security and safety conditions; develops comprehensive risk assessments leading to the creation of effective security plans, educates colleagues on the security plans and ensure compliance;.

7. Maps security incidents and understands patterns and threats; facilitates the development of situation specific, coordinated evacuation plans; writes well-researched security incident reports for review by HQ.

8. Develops and maintains contacts with national law enforcement agencies, where appropriate; respects and is fully current at all times on political issues and local policies that impact INGO operations and safety.

9. Conducts him or herself and the RI regional security operations in a manner that ensures reduced risk for exposure to issues with any group or government; presents the RI programs in a respectful and positive manner in all inter-agency interactions.

Position requires:

1. At least 3 years of international security experience working in conflict affected countries and complex relief settings in the fields of both security & communications.

2. At least 2 years experience providing security and safety support for international NGOs.

3. Demonstrated knowledge of UN, ECHO, MOSS, and other standard INGO security frameworks.

4. Excellent references reflecting demonstrated teamwork, maturity of judgment, tolerance for hardship and stress, leadership and integrity of character.

5. Fluency in English & Arabic – written and verbal. Kurdish knowledge and advantage.

6. Ability and willingness to train country staff counterparts; proven training leadership required.

7. Must be able to demonstrate strong writing, reporting, and situational analysis skills.

You have very good analytical skills and are a respected communicator and mediator. You achieve good work results, even when under pressure, and are able to make goal-oriented decisions quickly in stressful situations. In this context, you are able to multi-task, handling several, overlapping duties at once, and to set priorities. You have a confident manner and are able to express even complex subject matters clearly and expertly, even if the target group is not familiar with the area in question.

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