Position: Regional Security Officer
Location : Nairobi, Kenya - Roving/ travel across RI operations in the region up to 80%
About RI : Relief International (RI) is a leading global change organization and home to teams of humanitarian activist-professionals committed to transforming adversity into renewal for the world’s most vulnerable populations. By partnering with beneficiaries and communities on the front-lines, RI innovatively bridges the gap between immediate relief and long-term community development.
Reports to:Regional Director and Regional Operations Director
Position Summary:
The Regional Security Officer (RSO) main aim is to oversee and provide advice/guidance on safety and security risk management through increased capacity, technical support and advice both to the regional team and country programs on all aspects of staff safety and security and ensure appropriate systems are in place at regional and country level. The RSO will monitor regional situation, identify inherent threats and minimize risks to the programmes in consistent with RI Security Policy and Standards. He/She will conduct safety and security assessments; provide training for Regional and Country Office staff, especially safety and security focal persons; analyzing incident reports and security updates; responding to Country Office inquiries; and deploying to RI declared emergencies to ensure safety and security management in addressing emergency response needs. The RSO will provide support and guidance to regional and country directors on crisis management and security incident analysis including post incident lessons learnt reviews. The Regional Security Officer will report to the RI Africa Operation Director and RD.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Security Focal Point
- Serve as a security focal point for RI Africa region;
- Represent RI Africa region at interagency regional security forums and meetings.
- Advice and program recommendations to the Regional and Country Director on all matters related but not limited to security management, security planning and implementation, staff and site security, protocols and procedures;
- Orientate new staff arriving in the region with a global trend, analysis as to complement in country focal pints orientation.
Information Management
- Deliver reports forwarding recommendations and observations from field trips;
- Monitor national, REGIONAL and international information sources (UN, Governmental and NGO sources, etc) and inform the RD/CD of changes impacting RI’ security;
- Maintain an incident reporting, maps and analysis capacity through simple means for RI staff in both region at regional, country and field level;
- Offer an incident warning system that informs RI’s emergency communications pyramid (warden system);
- Based on the existing RI documents, prepare a weekly security update for submission to RD, CD and the RI HQ Senior Security Management Team for information and when necessary for action.
Security Planning, Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures
- Familiarize with security plan and procedures and propose adequate modifications, ensuring existence of an efficient security system for RI offices, houses and warehouses to ensure protection of both lives and property.
- Follow and ensure in the Africa region the implementation of the RI Global Security policies and manuals, including the Security Management Plan, Minimum Operating Standards for Security, and contingency plans;
- Maintain and ensure RI Africa region has a current, updates, appropriate Security Management Plan that reflects an updated risk assessment; Update the Standard Operating Procedures according to the above mentioned assessment in relation with the Security Focal Points in country offices;
- Working in conjunction with the RD/CD, undertakes a security assessment based on the guidelines provided by RIHQ. Presents the information to the RD/CD in report form.
- Updates the information on a twice-yearly basis and change the SRA and security plan accordingly.
- Collects information concerning security incidents from all RI locations and with all RI staff. Reports security information in writing to the RD/ CD promptly. Suggests preventative measures to reduce security risks. Suggests solutions to security problems.
- Working with the RD/CD, revises SOP’ security procedures and protocols based on changing security environments, factors or threats.
Technical support and Training
- Provide technical support through consultations in person, by phone, skype, or email with all requesting staff;
- Conduct regular security field audits and site assessments on request to assess security environments, report on findings and design necessary improvements;
- Assist and provide expertise to regional, country and field-based departments in security risk assessment and analysis for future projects;
- Coordinate post-incident follow up actions, analysis and recommendations;
- Facilitate, provide support and train in the proper use of common communications and security assets including HF and VHF radio networks and satellite phones according to radio protocols and other communications technologies.
- Ensure proper guards selection and management of contractors.
- Ensures that security personnel (security focal points and country security officers) are knowledgeable about their role and responsibilities and provides necessary training with security focal points.
Networking
- Develop a network of relationships with peers in the humanitarian community (UN, NGO, INSO, NRD and ICRC) and actively seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation in the region.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- A minimum of four (4) years' experience in a similar role with regional responsibilities
- Proven ability in security management and/or crisis management in an unstable and insecure environment. Previous experiences managing humanitarian crisis/emergencies an added advantage
- Effective technical/instructional skills
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex tasks independently
- Strong leadership and communication (interpersonal, verbal and written) skills
- Excellent computer skills with solid knowledge of MS Office
- Experience in training adults using modern methods.
- Experience in a multi-cultural environment necessary
- Experience in conducting assessments preferred
- Ability to travel up to 80% of the time as Roving RSO
We would like to share Relief International's Values with you:
We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:
- Inclusiveness
- Transparency and Accountability
- Agility and Innovation
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
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