Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
The Americas Region has a Regional Office in Panama and Country Cluster Support Team offices for Central America, Andes Countries, Cono Sur countries, Latin Caribbean and Haiti, and the English Caribbean and Suriname. The Country Cluster Support Team for the Latin Caribbean and Haiti supports Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba with two offices located in Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo.
Due to the nature of the insecurity in Haiti this role profile is an outline of the likely responsibilities applicable to Security Officer, deployed to an IFRC coordinated operation. They are complementary to and should be read in conjunction with the specific tasks elaborated in the Deployment Order / Terms of Reference.
Job Purpose
The Security Officer is required to deploy in a complex and / or large-scale emergency. The Security Officer will be expected to provide local professional security risk management (SRM) advice and support under the guidance of a Security Coordinator. The Security Officer will work closely with the in-country IFRC structure, should they exist.
In certain circumstances, the post-holder will be expected to assist and guide local IFRC staff to ensure continuous security cover for the mission.
The Security Officer will report directly to the IFRC Head of Delegation with technical reporting line to the Regional Security Manager.
The position will be based in Haiti or in Dominican Republic with 50% min travel to Haiti.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic management/support
- Advise and support the HoCCD / Senior IFRC manager for the operation / on security related matters focusing on all personnel, assets that are under IFRC security management responsibility.
Operational management/support
- Execute the in-country security risk management process, ensuring the compliance of Minimum-Security Requirements and the follow up of functional and practical risk prevention and mitigation measures.
- To ensure the compliance of basic security management systems and provide rapid and professional support/assistance to the various components of the mission, including but not limited to, conducting security assessments at field locations, create and maintain security regulations/emergency procedures, undertake site security assessments (as required) and provide recommendations for accommodation, coordinating, if needed, staff relocation and support to Staff Health for medical evacuations.
- Follow-up on security incident reporting and provide incident analysis and incident mapping.
- Monitor and analyze the security / political and socio-economic situation in the operational area and identify possible security related trends and issues that may affect the IFRC operations.
- Ensure that the America Security Unit is updated daily of changes in the security environment.
Compliance
- Support and ensure the compliance of basic security procedures in place.
- Monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of MSRs.
Coordination
- Establish and maintain a security network of internal and external contacts and follow up on established guidelines.
Training & development
- Conduct security briefings for all incoming personnel, and provide general or more specific trainings (e.g. defensive driving [in coordination with Fleet], radio communications [in coordination with IT].
If time allows: Assist NS Security Focal Point as required.
Education
REQUIRED:
- Secondary Education as minimum.
- Professional training in security management Experience
Experience
REQUIRED:
- 3 years working experience in a similarly wide-ranging role
- Past field experience in humanitarian security and analysis work in high risk contexts, preferably in the Region and with the RC/RC.
- Experience in a medium to high-risk security area, preferably with IFRC or RC field assignment in a management position.
- 2 years’ experience of security management within a humanitarian or development sector.
- Experience of developing contingency plans and implementing of relocation / evacuation.
- Experience of relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IFRC at forums with external stakeholders including, government authorities, military, police and UN. PREFERRED:
- Familiarity with Movement and International Federation policies and guidelines
- Experience of IFRC management procedures and security approach.
- Proven training/mentoring record
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
REQUIRED:
- Good understanding of physical and procedural security measures
- Skills to analyze and draw conclusions – Critical and analytical thinking
- Rapid and well-argued decision-making skills
- Proven planning and training skills
- Developed networking and negotiation skills
- Good oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly & persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
- Successful completion of IFRC Stay Safe online (Personal & Management) courses
- Understanding of the American and Haitian context and challenges
- Fluently spoken and written English and French (Creole / Continental)
PREFERRED:
- General security knowledge of the region/country
- Relevant security training (HEAT, Security Management & CIM course attendance)
- Good command of Spanish
Competencies, Values and Comments
CORE COMPETENCIES
Tier 1:
- The Movement in the humanitarian sector
- Coordination
- Programme management & reporting
- Resource management
- Protection, gender and inclusion
- Environmental sustainability
Tier 2:
- Movement context, principles and values
- Assessment
- Information management
- Direction setting and operational objectives
- Community engagement and accountability
SAFETY & SECURITY COMPETENCIES
Tier 1:
- Conflict management
- Communication
- Judgement and decision making
- Motivation
- Personal resilience
Tier 2:
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Cultural awareness
- Integrity