Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 14 Apr 2015
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PROGRAM SUMMARY
Mercy Corps has been operational in South Sudan since 2005 and is currently engaged in series of humanitarian programming in Unity State along with development and resiliency programming in other States across the country. Currently, Mercy Corps is working in the following States in South Sudan: Unity, Warrup, Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal 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-sustaining support to IDPs and host communities affected by the current fighting. Mercy Corps is well represented in South Sudan with offices in many locations. Juba is where the main office of Mercy Corps South Sudan is located.
At the same time, there is a concerted effort by the Country Office to expand both geographically as well as in other sectors as and when the environment becomes more conducive to operate in South Sudan.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Safety and Security Advisor (SSA) will advise on all aspects of the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS) Safety Risk Management (SRM) system in the country. The SSA, in consultation with CD, DCD, SMT members, 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 SSA 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, constantly updating the assessment as the situation is rather fluid in SS;
- Advise Program Managers and Head of Offices on available Security Safety Management Strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks;
- Develop in consultation and participation of field and Juba based teams 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;
- Regularly visit field locations, especially the conflict affected areas, in order to be better positioned in order to be able to modify and adapt the CO plans and field office plans as and when the situation in the country or specific area changes;
Security Reporting and Documentation
- Provide regular analysis, statistics and reporting on key developments within the Area of Operation (AoR). This will have to be shared with the CD and SMT. 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), ensuring this list is regularly updated and kept current as best as possible;
- 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, INGO Secretariat, INGO Forum and other relevant external for a and then update CD and SMT on findings and key areas of concerns;
- Work with Security Focal Point (of Mercy Corps and other INGOs) 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, including evacuation plans (air and land), hibernation plans and remote management plans, these all need to be developed in consultation and discussion with the SMT and Prog Managers;
- 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;
- Set up Radio rooms and hire and train staff to run these Radio rooms;
- Develop SOPs for Radio operations and train all staff on how to use and communicate using hand held devices;
- Allocate call signs to all members of staff of Mercy Corps South Sudan;
- Act as the focal point for telecommunications systems, including radios, VHF-HF, tracking devices and satellite phones;
- Conduct regular road assessments and risk assessments 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 SSA 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 Morocco.
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
- 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 Advisor 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 Advisor will work well under pressure in a fluid operating and security environment.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The SSA is based in Juba with frequent travel to all Mercy Corps sites and potential areas of expansion. This location is unaccompanied and accommodation is provided in group housing. Staff has 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:
Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=219544&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479