Safety & Security Officer

Job Description

Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. The IRC has been working in Kenya since 1992, providing life-saving services which empower vulnerable local and refugee communities to lead safe, productive, and healthy lives.

Based in Hagadera, the Safety & Security Officer will be the second in command in IRC Kenya Country Security Department and will assist the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) in building up the capacity, awareness, and preparedness of staff to take care of security-related risks, threats, and incidents through the delivery of high quality, regular trainings/ briefings to national and international staff and IRC visitors when deemed vital.

The Safety & Security Officer will be responsible for crafting and delivering the required trainings to field-based staff, ensuring that course content remains up to date, is adapted according to the target audience, and, that refresher trainings are discharged for all staff commensurate with a pre-determined schedule. They will head the Hagadera Safety & Security Department and supervise all staff within the department.

Specific Responsibilities:

- To craft security training materials/packages with assistance from SSM to set standards, around a ‘learning outcomes’ principle, ensuring that key security messages are conveyed to IRC staff and visitors, consistent with the Preparedness, Prevention, Response and Recovery Plan (PPRR). - To deliver these standardized training courses and security briefing sessions to all Hagadera field-based staff as well as IRC visitors where relevant. - Develop and carry out a regular schedule of refresher trainings for key staff involved in security and communications (i.e., radio operators, guards, drivers, and other operations staff). - Conduct frequent field visits and deliver high quality training to IRC field offices in Hagadera and Kambioos camps, supporting field-based staff in gaining greater awareness and being better prepared in taking care of prevailing security threats and incidents. - Accurate, up-to-date security/communications information is available in appropriate local language(s) to staff in all office locations.

General Duties

- Lead all aspect of Hagadera field safety and security, taking the lead as the security focal person in all matters related directly or indirectly to IRC workers and assets. - Own the field safety and security department through leadership and supervision of personnel, and, to develop and deliver standard refresher training to key security personnel involved in radio communication, in Hagadera. - Provide general support and back-up to the SS-Coordinator, taking on the Acting Security Manager role in the absence of the SS-Coordinator. - Ensure that accurate, updated, neutral security information, and communication is shared to all staff in Hagadera - Supervise and track both staff and vehicle movement in the field and ensure all IRC vehicles, premises and equipment are aligned with the basic security standards. - Leading all aspects of, and carrying on, accurate security risk assessment of IRC Hagadera offices and staff residence; accounting areas of interests to the SSCo. /FC and implementing appropriate mitigation measures. - Participate in all security related meetings in Dadaab as requested by the FC/SS Co. - Collect and review incident reports (IR) and ensure recommendations are made and corrective actions taken. Maintain an IR tracking matrix and provide monthly reporting. - To ensure implementation and enforcement of safety and security policies and SOPs as summarized in the Hagadera Mini - SMP. - To liaison, develop and maintain close working relation with other security agencies including the UNHCR, UNDSS, INSO, Contracted Security Company and the government security forces. - Supervise the procured security company deployed to IRC facilities. - Aid the SSco. and Field Operations Managers in ensuring that IRC motor vehicles, premises, and assets, follow basic security standards. - Assist the SSCo. and Field Operations Managers in conducting and maintaining accurate risk assessments of IRC offices and residences, reporting any matters of concern to the SS co./ Deputy Director, Operations. - Assist the SS Co. and Field Coordinator in running routine activities and performance of guards and communications staff to ensure that all duties are carried out effectively and in a professional manner. - Ensure that relevant information from coordination meetings is shared in a timely manner, both internally and in other sectors. - To assist, with forming and implementing security-related workplans including contingency plans, as the need arises. - Ensure that installed security equipment/apparatus are appropriately deployed and maintained. This includes CCTV, Detectors, emergency alarms. - Assist with incident management and incident reporting, as the need arises. - In liaison with Safety & Security lead and field-based security and operations staff, provide comprehensive, neutral, and non-partisan information on security risks, threats, and incidents.

Common Duties

- Implement and uphold the IRC Way (Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality) at the respective areas of work. - Follow and enforce all IRC codes of conduct and policies (worldwide and in-country). - Report any violations to appropriate IRC authority and participate in preventative initiatives. - Actively seek opportunities that will complement ability to fulfill position’s responsibilities as well as further professional development, such as taking part in internal and external trainings. - Carry out other relevant duties as may be advised or assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree from recognized institutions in Criminology, security management, law enforcement, or public administration. - 3-5 years’ security-related work experience from INGOs. - Experienced and knowledgeable in security/safety-related subjects, threat/risk assessment, security management, and personal and organizational security awareness. - Prior experience in the development and delivery of standardized training packages to both national and international staff. - Strong experience and skills in disaster management. - Technical proficiency and training experience in field-based communications systems (such as HF Codan, Motorola VHF/Thuraya). - Proven experience of working effectively in sophisticated security environments. - Proficiency in English and Swahili (written, spoken, comprehension). - Digital literacy (including MS Word, Excel, Access, and internet) an advantage. - Ability to work closely, professionally, and constructively with all others regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, family, or cultural background.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

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 allowance.

Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply. International allowances are not available for this position. Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Disclaimer:

Please take note that International Rescue Committee (IRC) does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes.

The IRC leads the way from harm to home.