Field Security Coordinator – Ethiopia

Field Safety Coordinator

Type of employment: Full time

Experience: 5 years and over

Duty station: Mandera, Kenya (with occasional trips to Wajir County, Gedo Region, Somalia and Somali Region, Ethiopia)

Reports to: Kenya Program Coordinator

Contract details: one year. Renewable subject to availability of funds and performance

Job summary:

The Rural Community Development and Assistance Agency (RACIDA) is a regional non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the self-reliance and prosperity of vulnerable communities living in arid and semi-arid lands through promoting better livelihood systems, sustainable use of natural resources. resources and community empowerment. Since its inception in 2005, RACIDA has worked with vulnerable communities in the arid and semi-arid lands of northern Kenya, Ethiopia (Somalia and Oromia regions) and Somalia (Gedo region). We seek to systematically implement highly integrated and context-specific community programs. Our programs are part of an overall strategy that places local communities in the Mandera Triangle at the center of their own development trajectory.

RACIDA places the highest importance on the safety and security of its staff and the communities it serves in the Mandera Triangle. Given the increasing security challenges in our operational areas, RACIDA is actively seeking a competent Security Coordinator. The Coordinator will be responsible for diligently implementing safety and security management policies and procedures across all its operational regions. Additionally, he/she will play a central role in contributing to the development of an access strategy for RACIDA in areas of interest in the Mandera Triangle that are susceptible to security risks.

The Safety Coordinator will also provide invaluable support to RACIDA field teams by facilitating transparent information sharing, thereby ensuring successful project execution without compromising the well-being of our staff, communities or assets from RACIDA.

The Security Coordinator will be the RACIDA focal point for the Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia teams, providing technical security advice to the team and playing a key coordinating role between the various stakeholders of Security.

The position reports to the Regional Executive Director and works closely with National Coordinators and County/Regional Field Managers.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Security management and systems

• Ensure that all program activities/locations are assessed and monitored for their impact on staff safety and security, and recommend – for appropriate further communication – specific protocols and practices to reduce risks and vulnerability of staff.
• In consultation with field teams and regional office team, continuously monitor the security environment, at national and local levels for all program areas, and make recommendations to the Kenya Program Coordinator and Executive Director regionally, to adjust security policies and procedures if necessary.
• Ensure that contingency plans for evacuation, relocation, hibernation and medical evacuation are in place, disseminated and adopted among staff, including a detailed contextual assessment and situation update which are regularly reviewed at least once a quarter.
• Ensure and regularly reassess that vehicles, premises and equipment comply with safety and security standards.
• Research and analyze security-related information from various local and national sources, county/woreda/district offices, the UN and local communities to produce a formal weekly security update.
• In collaboration with relevant logistics staff, program managers and transportation staff ensure that field travel regulations are implemented in a systematic and timely manner in accordance with security policy and guidelines from RACIDA.
• Ensure incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and sent to relevant staff in Nairobi.
• Conduct security assessments in new areas of operation in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia prior to entry of program staff.

Documentation

• Ensure that briefing materials and maps are developed to help orient all new personnel (national and local) on the overall security situation in their operational areas and on particular threats and procedures in areas where personnel will be based.
• Ensure that a centralized filing system for security-related documents is maintained on the server
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile reports on security assessments of offices, staff housing, field sites and project areas. Build the capacity of field team leaders to conduct a threat assessment.
• Systematically map all incidents on a dedicated map and provide timely analysis to identify emerging trends.

Capacity Building

• Strengthen the capacities of RACIDA staff in terms of personal safety and security. Develop an onboarding and continuation training program for current and new staff. Work with field and regional staff to build a common understanding of security analysis and risk minimization.
• Develop a standardized safety training method and provide safety training to all staff on topics related to safety and security ensuring that the policy and guidelines are understood and are adopted and implemented in the the entire program. Act as a team facilitator when developing cluster-based security management plans.
• Guide, train and monitor all staff to ensure RACIDA minimum safety and security standards are followed and met.

Coordination and networking

• Coordinate and liaise on program safety and security issues with all relevant stakeholders in the RACIDA area of ​​operation, such as community organizations, national and international NGOs, United Nations, donor organizations and government authorities.
• Proactively share information with staff in Nairobi and in the field ensuring high levels of security awareness, close situational monitoring and effective two-way communication on security-related matters.

Requirement

• Preferably a degree or higher in security, law enforcement or other related field.
• Demonstrated experience in safety and/or security.
• Advanced training or certification in safety and security preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of safety protocols and emergency preparedness. Knowledge of applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
• Work experience in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia is preferred. A good understanding of the political, social and cultural context of the Mandera Cluster.
• Fluency in English is mandatory and understanding of local languages ​​and culture is an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to write clear and useful reports