Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security Coordinator

Position description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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The IRC began working in Burkina Faso in 2019 in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of displaced populations due to the security situation. The IRC Burkina has a main office in Ouagadougou and three secondary offices in Ouahigouya (northern region), Dori (Sahel), Fada (east) and a sub-office in Séguénéga (north).

The IRC Burkina Faso is looking for a Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security Coordinator to be based in Ouagadougou.

Job overview

The Humanitarian Access, Security and Safety Coordinator is part of the Country Management Team (SMT), reporting to the Country Director (CD). He or she will develop and oversee the implementation of humanitarian access and security management systems and protocols in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles and IRC strategy.

He or she will identify changes and trends in humanitarian access and the security environment in Burkina Faso, develop and oversee the implementation of appropriate plans, standard operating procedures and contingency plans, and facilitate the training and capacity-building of management and field staff.

He or she will provide expert advice on humanitarian access and security risk management to all levels of IRC country office staff on building relationships with stakeholders, negotiating and mediating humanitarian access, understanding the context, managing critical incidents and providing timely advice.

He or she will work closely with the Deputy Director field management and field coordinators to ensure that the organization’s security policies and procedures are context-sensitive, adequate and familiar to staff, and in line with global safety and security standards.

Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and Program Coordinators, he or she will help maximize the effectiveness of IRC’s activities in Burkina Faso by contributing to the design and ongoing adaptation of programs to ensure they are contextually appropriate. Where appropriate, he/she will also provide advice and support to partner organizations and ensure capacity building of IRC staff, incentive staff and partners through active collaboration in the field.

Responsibilities

Humanitarian Access management :

• Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches adapted to local contexts in field sites across Burkina Faso.

• Ensure that humanitarian access approaches are adapted to the local context and include comprehensive community engagement components.

• Ensure that IRC’s humanitarian access field teams conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in Burkina Faso, in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles and IRC’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP).

• Ensure that the IRC, its mission and its work in areas of operation are known and accepted.

• Encourage stakeholders to work with IRC to ensure that staff and programs are safe and authorized to continue humanitarian activities in Burkina Faso.

• Provide technical advice and guidance in assessments to consider new KPI programs in new geographic areas, as well as regular assessment reviews for existing locations.

• Assist in the ongoing development of humanitarian access teams and activities across Burkina Faso.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors by formulating standardized policies and guidelines for IRC.

• Oversee and advise on the implementation and review of customized acceptance strategies.

• Maintain a high level of preparedness for anticipated contextual fluctuations in operational and programmatic terms.

• Improve the image and acceptance of IRC within the community and among stakeholders by advising on inclusive visibility strategies.

• Work with appropriate IRC units, including P&C, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up of violations of the IRC Code of Conduct, in addition to operational violations of humanitarian principles.

Networking and liaison

• Maintain a network of IRC safety focal points in the national program, as well as external professional contacts and counterparts.

• Provide timely feedback on questions and requests for technical assistance from Country Program team members.

• Identify, create and maintain a network with NGOs/UN and other specialists in humanitarian access and security adapted to the region.

Contextual understanding and reporting

• Compile and submit regular reports tracking incidents and trends in humanitarian access and local security in IRC’s area of operation.

• Submit daily contextual updates as required to the SMT and relevant program management and field staff.

• Work closely with IRC field management teams to ensure that all incidents and accidents are formally reported in writing.

• Monitor the operating environment in the region, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities and recommend possible responses.

• Contribute to local conflict sensitivity analysis and macro-economic analysis of conflict trends in Burkina Faso.

Training and capacity building

• Provide a capacity development plan with specific implementation plans in line with the regional humanitarian access and security capacity development strategy.

• Work with relevant internal focal points to develop and revise IRC Burkina Faso’s information and induction package for new employees and visitors.

Program development

• Support the program coordinator and field management staff in developing conflict-sensitive approaches adapted to the Burkina Faso context.

• Participate in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure timely, safe and secure delivery of IRC services to beneficiaries.

• Advise program and field management teams on context-specific risks to humanitarian access, security and safety, and contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation measures and plans.

Main working relationships

Reports to Country Director (CD)

Indirect/technical reports: Regional Director of Safety and Security

Main internal contacts:

Country Program: Deputy Director Field Management, Deputy Director Programs, Field Coordinators, Program Coordinators

Region/Global: Team members in the areas of access & security, partnerships, public affairs, human resources, supply chain, M&E, ICT4P and others.

Key external contacts :

• Focal points for humanitarian access and security for INGOs.

• Competent United Nations agencies: UNOCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, etc.

• Coordination forums, working groups, safety forums, etc.

• Information sharing and analysis organizations: INSO, etc.

• Community leaders and local influence brokers.

Qualifications

Education

University degree in management, political science or related field preferred. Diploma or technical certification in a related field with significant relevant experience.

Professional experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working for non-profit organizations or NGOs in international humanitarian aid programs, with demonstrated ability to plan, organize and execute humanitarian security operations in the field.

• Understand humanitarian principles, the code of conduct and the specific complexities of delivering essential services to people in need within the Burkina Faso labor sub-sector linked to NGO field and operational contexts.

• Understanding of regional and local context, dynamics and access limitations related to gender, disability, religion, traditions and local norms.

• Knowledge of communications technology, including satellite communications, cell phones, etc. is an asset.

• Strong experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement, facilitate and transmit learning to a wide range of audiences.

• Experience in gaining an accurate and impartial understanding of local, regional and international politics, operational positions and interactions, providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and ongoing political and security situations as they arise.

• Regional experience strongly preferred.

Proven technical skills

• Proven experience as a professional and reliable manager (including people and project management).

• Highly skilled in organizing large-scale, rapid and responsive field programs.

• Knowledge of the situation and possibilities.

• Strong ability to be a team player, to coach and develop staff, and to encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation.

• Exceptional organizational and coordination skills.

Proven management/leadership skills

• Excellent relationship building, interpersonal skills and ability to effectively represent IRC in forums and with external stakeholders.

• Strong negotiation and mediation skills and experience in conflict resolution are essential.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with key internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.

• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program requirements.

Languages required/preferred

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French.

Computer/other requirements

• Full professional competence in the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Ability to travel

• 50% of trips within Burkina Faso.

 

Application instructions

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