Employer: Mercy Corps
Closing date: 12 Apr 2014
Program Summary:
Mercy Corps has been operational in South Sudan since 2005 and is currently engaged in series of development and resiliency programming in the north of the country. Yet since the outbreak of fighting on December 15, 2013, Mercy Corps has launched emergency programming throughout its current areas of operation including: Warrup State (Twic County), Unity State (Bentiu, Koch and Leer) and the Abeyi Administrative Area. Unity State in particular is caught in the crossfire of the violence and, as such, there is a significant and growing level of humanitarian need. The emergency response program in Unity State provides life-saving support to IDPs and host communities affected by the current fighting. Mercy Corps is well represented in the northern states of South Sudan with field offices in each of these states/areas with its country office in the capital of Juba.
General Position Summary
The Safety and Security Manager (SSM) will manage all aspects of the RoSS Safety Risk Management (SRM) system in the country. The SSM, in consultation with local safety staff and program managers, is expected to manage the Security Safety Risk Management (SSRM) process and develop and supervise the implementation of area safety management policies, protocols and procedures. In addition, the SSM will perform Security Safety Risk Assessments (SSRAs) and supervise the implementation of mitigation measures.
Essential Job Functions
Security Management and Systems
Perform area-specific SSRAs and conduct Security Safety Level assessments.
Advise Program Managers and Head of Offices on available Security Safety Management Strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks.
Develop and supervise the implementation of area-specific safety plans, including Local Security Safety Rules (LSSR); 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 RoSS.
Monitor and evaluate the SSRM process in the affected states, providing regular updates on the quality and progress of SSRM implementation.
Security Reporting and Documentation
Provide regular analysis, statistics and reporting on key developments within the Area of Operation (AoR). This includes tailored analysis and assessments, including SSRAs, on specific areas, themes, issues or scenarios.
Maintain a register of negotiations and developments related to access and humanitarian space.
Establish and maintain a list of contacts throughout the Area of Interest (AoI).
Maintain and update the incident tracking database for the RoSS affected areas, and provide trend/pattern analysis.
Identify potential scenarios, indicators of change and key decision points.
Oversee the implementation of field travel SOPs and planning.
Assist in the management of safety incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports.
Coordination, communication and Networking
Attend OCHA, UNDSS, NGO Secretariat | NGO Forum and other relevant external for a.
Work with Security Focal Point to 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.
Assist in the coordination of the SMT in the event of a critical incident or crisis.
Develop the area level Critical Incident Management Plan and support area-specific Contingency Plans.
Brief SMT members on their responsibilities and ensure alternate members are available and briefed.
Conduct regular site assessments and advise on mitigation measures.
Assist logisticians and administrators with the procurement, delivery and control of security/ safety equipment.
Act as the focal point for telecommunications systems, including radios, VHF-HF, tracking devices and satellite phones.
Conduct regular road assessment and risk assessment in the AoR.
Supervise all travel authorizations for permanent and visiting international staff.
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 towards 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: The SSM will report to CD but work directly with the DCD, OPS Manager and senior program staff.
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Project Managers and Field Office Administrators, operations and finance managers, program support team in Juba, as well as with Security Advisor in Nairobi
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
At least 5 years’ experience in logistic in high risk countries
Proven Risk assessment experience 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
Fluent in written and spoken English, Juba Arabic is an asset
UN or NGO security experience preferred
First aid instructor qualification, defensive driving preferred
SUCCESS FACTORS
The successful Safety/Security Manager will recognize that Mercy Corps’ ability to function safely and successfully in South Sudan depends on the ability of staff to understand the environment in which programs operate. The successful Safety/Security Manager will apply a strong combination of team leadership, security awareness and application skills. The ability to maintain a sense of humor in stressful conditions is also a plus. S/he will have an excellent understanding of emergency and transitional issues and security approaches and will be able to work across a wide range of stakeholders, working with local community members, governmental authorities, NGO partners, and donors. S/he will bring a positive approach to the job, embracing challenges as opportunities. S/he will write well and communicate in a manner that is confident and clear, yet diplomatic, enabling him/her to forge positive working relationships with staff and other stakeholders. Finally, the successful Safety/Security Manager will work well under pressure in a fluid operating and security environment.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The Program Manager is based in Juba with frequent travel to the Abyei Administrative Area and Unity. This location is unaccompanied and accommodation is provided in group housing. Staff have access to basic medical services and will need to access Nairobi for anything requiring more advanced treatment. Electricity and water work sporadically and are supported by generators and water tanking. Housing is group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. This position requires regular travel by vehicle across areas of operation and travel by air to field sites.
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 MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply:
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