Humanitarian, Access, and Security Coordinator

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator (HASC) is a member of the Field Management Team (FMT) managed by the Field Director (FD) and manages the Humanitarian Access & Security Management Unit (HAU) for the NWS Syria.

The HACS will supervise a team of Humanitarian Access and Security staff, in collaboration with key programs and operations colleagues in NWS Syria and in Gaziantep, to safely enable the delivery of essential services to women, men, and children inside Syria. She or he 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’s strategy.

She or he will lead to identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in Syria, develop and oversee the implementation of responsive plans, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans, and facilitate training and capacity building of both management and field staff.

She or he will provide expert humanitarian access and security risk management advice to all levels of IRC staff in NWS and Gaziantep on building relationships with stakeholders, negotiating and mediating humanitarian access, contextual understanding, managing critical incidents, and providing timely advisories.

She or he will work closely with the Field Director to ensure that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, adequate and known to staff, and in line with global safety and security standards.

Responsibilities:

Humanitarian Access Management

- Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites throughout NWS Syria in a responsive way. - Ensure that the IRC field humanitarian access team conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in NWS Syria in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and the IRC’s SAP - Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted - Work to encourage stakeholders to work with the IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities in NWS Syria - Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations - Assist in the continued development of humanitarian access teams and activities across Syria - Contribute to developing and implementing guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors articulating standard IRC policy and guidance - Oversee and advise on the implementation and review of tailored acceptance strategies - Maintain a high level of preparedness vis-a-vis predicted contextual fluctuations operationally and programmatically - Enhance IRC image and acceptance within the community and amongst stakeholders by providing guidance on inclusive visibility strategies - Work with appropriate IRC units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of IRC’s Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles

Safety and Security Risk Management

- Provide technical support to the field and program management on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security, and program continuity in Syria - Evaluate, review, and update the security management plans including contingency planning on a regular basis in compliance with global safety and security standards and requirements - Maintain a network of IRC Security Focal Points at each field office and program sites - Evaluate, review, and update the hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices and residences in Syria and ensure that the practical preparations are in place and known to all staff involved - Conduct risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards - Undertake continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met - Provide and implement best possible solutions for use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff, including here proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment - Ensure safety and security protocol, reporting mechanism, and capacity building initiative account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles and background, and are sensitive to local contexts

Networking and Liaison:

- Maintaining a network of IRC security focal points in the country program as well as external professional contacts and counterparts - Monitor and provide support and reporting on NGO field security initiatives as required - Identify, create, and maintain a network with NGO/UN and other humanitarian access and security specialists suitable for the region

Context Understanding and Reporting

- Compile and submit regular reports that track incidents and trends in humanitarian access and local security contexts within the IRC’s area of operation. - Submit daily contextual updates as needed to the FMT and relevant field and program management staff - Work closely with IRC FMT to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written report. - Monitor the operating environment in the region, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities, and recommend possible responses - Coordinate regularly with the Humanitarian Access and Security Director, and fulfill reporting requirements to the region - Contribute to local-level conflict sensitivity analysis and macro- level analysis of trends within the Syrian conflict with the support of the Regional Humanitarian Analysis Advisor - Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents along with appropriate advice to IRC field and program management staff

Training and Capacity Building

- Provide a capacity development plan with precise implementation plans in line with the regional Humanitarian Access & Security Capacity Development Strategy - Provide regular trainings for IRC staff on humanitarian principles and safety and security preparedness. Training(s) may include Standard Operational Procedures; Humanitarian Negotiations; Contextual Understanding; Safety & Security Risk Management; Incident Management &Reporting; etc. - Liaise with partners to assess capacity building needs and provide advice and support where feasible and necessary - Work with relevant internal focal points to develop and review the IRC Syria information and onboarding package for new hires and visitors

Program Development:

- Participate in program design in close cooperation with the Field Director. - Support program coordinator and field management staff in developing conflict-sensitive and contextually appropriate approaches in Syria - Participate in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the timely, safe, and secure delivery of IRC service to beneficiaries - Advise program and field management teams on context-specific risks pertaining humanitarian access, safety, and security, and contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation measures and plans

Emergency Preparedness and Response:

- Contribute to the development of country emergency preparedness plans - As required, support and advise the FMT during humanitarian or security/safety emergencies - Assist with the humanitarian access and security component (situation analysis and background information, security assessments) of the Emergency Response Team deployments in NWS Syria - Contribute to the development of operational and programmatic contingency plans that respond to different emergency scenarios

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

- Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies - Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions - Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews - Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly - Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths. - As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions - Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff - Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train, and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment - Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations

Qualifications

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

- At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience of non-profit or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs with demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing, and executing humanitarian security operations in the field - Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. - Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development - Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution. - Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. - Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. - Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. - Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must. - Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

- English is required, while Turkish and Arabic are desired. - Travel: 15% to field sites in the Middle East region as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Humanitarian, Access and Safety Director in close coordination and support from Field Director. Position directly supervises: Humanitarian Access and Security Manager, officer, and assistant.

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): N/A

Key Internal Contacts: NWS Field Management Team an

• Country Program: Senior Management Team (SMT and SMT+)

• Region/Global: as needed and advised by the HASD

Key External Contacts:

• INGO humanitarian access and security focal points

• Relevant UN agencies: UNOCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, etc.

• Relevant coordination forums, working groups, and clusters for Syria: SIRF, MRHS, Security Forums, Community leaders and local powerbrokers

• Information sharing and analysis bodies: INSO, HAT, etc.

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.