Senior Security Manager Colombia-Venezuela

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues to intensify. Venezuelans face hyperinflation, which puts them out of reach of basic goods and services, including health care and food. A shortage of medical supplies means that it is difficult to diagnose and treat communicable diseases and sexual and reproductive health needs, among other services. The lack of food has resulted in hunger and malnutrition. From 2015-2018, over three million Venezuelans left to seek goods and services in primarily neighboring countries.

IRC has responded to the crisis by supporting Venezuelans crossing the arc of the migration pattern, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. In Colombia, IRC works in the areas of health, protection, education, and multipurpose cash assistance in Cucuta, Medellín, Cundinamarca, Norte de Santander, and Nariño (specifically Ipiales). In Venezuela, IRC has been developing programs through the support of local partners. Since January 2021, we have expanded our response in Ecuador and in 2022 to Peru, establishing projects and strategic alliances with local partners, with emphasis on border corridors. IRC works to strengthen the capacity of local partners to provide access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, nutrition, basic needs, and dignified livelihoods for the migrant population.

Overview:

This post would ensure that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, adequate and known to staff, and advise on humanitarian access approaches in close coordination with the Security Coordinator VCR and Response Director. Training will also be provided for staff to facilitate and implement the security topics, in addition to other standard operating procedures and contingency plans related to incident prevention/management and safety and security of teams.

This position reports to the Security Coordinator

Main objectives of the position:

- The Senior Security Manager shall make every effort to fully implement the CRRD Safety & Security Policy. Exceptions should be documented and justified during the annual Standards and Requirements Assessment Process.

- The Senior Security Manager shall advise program teams on the integration of safety and security risk management into program design and implementation. Formal risk assessments shall be used to guide and review program implementation.

- Support program teams in achieving and maintaining access for the most vulnerable communities.

- Identify security risks through participatory and inclusive processes and propose mitigation measures.

- Prepare the risk analysis requested by the donor in accordance with its guidelines, including mitigation measures, within the times established for the presentation of proposals or within the framework of monitoring the implementation of the project.

- Participate in Project Management Cycle Meetings in a timely manner, providing the necessary inputs.

- Ensure that access and security strategies are taken into consideration from the initial stages of intervention design.

- The Senior Security Manager must act as roving and provide support when required between Colombia and Venezuela operations.

- Prepare a training plan for staff in Colombia and Venezuela according to the context and threats identified.

- Provide close advice to local partners on security and protection issues, establishing schedules with the local security team for strengthening and accompaniment activities (Colombia and Venezuela).

Safety and Security Management Planning

- Support the Security Coordinator (SC) to create all policies, procedures, guidelines, and planning as related to staff safety, security, and program continuity of Colombia and Venezuela.

- Update the Security Management Plan (SMP) for the IRC Colombia and Venezuela

- Reference and ensure compliance to IRC Security Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes.

- Work with SC to create and roll out implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and Contingency Plans related to team safety and security, in line with the Security Management Plan.

- Ensure that the risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences are carried out. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.

- Provide continuous updates to guidance and technical input to programs on areas of operation (current and prospective), stakeholders and context.

Humanitarian Access Management

- Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites and include overarching community engagement components.

- In line with the humanitarian principles, develop ongoing relationships with appropriate local authorities and other key stakeholders, encouraging collaboration with IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and with permission to continue humanitarian activities.

- Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in all areas of operation is known and accepted.

- Provide technical input and advice on assessments to consider IRC programming in new geographic locations.

- Liaise and coordinate with relevant security actors e.g., NGO security staff, security forces, local community stakeholders, local authorities.

Monitoring, Analysis and Supervision

- Based on security SOPs, monitor activities in the field and revise, if necessary, to ensure that IRC staff, operations, and facilities are safe.

- The Senior Security Manager will supervise and provide technical guidance to the security officers deployed in Colombia and Venezuela.

- Ensure that all tools and documents that are part of the contingency plans are updated and tested, including emergency communication trees, staff location mapping, emergency contacts, list of hospitals, among others.

- Maintain both live and static movement maps (heat maps and risk maps) for Colombia and Venezuela updated and keep staff informed in weekly meetings.

- Ensure that non-dedicated Security Focal Points are officially appointed and receive basic training.

Security & Access Training and Orientation

- Pre-Arrival security documentation to be shared with visitors and incoming staffs before their arrival; they should also be offered an opportunity to contact the Senior Security Manager before arrival.

- On-Arrival Orientation should be provided to any IRC staff, visitor, consultant, within 24 hours of arrival in Venezuela or Colombia. The Senior Security Manager should verify with your team that the Safety and Security Training/Induction be provided for all staff joining IRC; this must be recorded in the training log; this may include Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs); Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; Communications protocols, etc.

- Monitor, record and update the IRC contact card, in coordination with security officers, Admin and non-dedicated local security focal points.

- Partner Safety and Security Training.

- Regular drills shall be conducted as per the contingency plans (hibernation, relocation, evacuation, and specific threats). Training drills shall be scheduled and communicated to personnel prior to execution and conducted annually or with more frequency if the context requires.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

- This position reports to the Security Coordinator VCR

- This position will also work closely with the DDPs.

Qualifications

Requirements for the Role:

- 3 to 5 years 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.

- Education: professional degree in social sciences such as social work, psychology, communication, social, and law, or Risk Management Specialist.

- Understanding the humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific sub-sector work linked to NGO field and operations contexts.

- Advanced knowledge in communications technology, including, satellite communications, cell phone mediums, etc.

- Experience as a trainer/facilitator; ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.

- Ability to gain a precise understanding of the various local, regional, country and international policies, operational positions and interactions, providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur.

- Previous NGO security management an asset.

- Excellent command of Spanish and English required.

- Flexible and creative

- Ability to work independently, self-motivation.

ENVIRONMENT

- Based in Bogotá (Colombia), with consistent travel to Venezuela and other country of Venezuela Crisis Response.

- The security situation is consistently monitored with the IRC’s Global Security Director, and the IRC Venezuela Crisis Response Director. All employees, regardless of where they are based, must adhere to all security protocols to ensure safety of staff, partners, and beneficiaries.

Professional conduct standards

IRC and IRC workers/contractors must adhere to the values and principles described in IRC Way-Standards for Professional Conduct. These are integrity, service, and accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on protecting the beneficiary from exploitation and abuse, safeguarding the child, harassment in the workplace, tax integrity and anti-retaliation.

As a leader you will be placed in a position of trust. To maintain that trust, you are expected to always:

Lead by example and be a positive role model to others.

Promote awareness of the IRC’s standards and make sure those you supervise are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to comply with them.

Monitor conduct of those you supervise and take responsibility for activities that occur under your supervision.

Be responsive to anyone who raises an ethics or compliance concern and make sure matters are resolved in a fair and appropriate manner.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to reducing 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 safety protocols, and other benefits and support subsidies.

Qual Employer/contractor Opportunity: IRC is an equal opportunity employer/contractor. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law Applicable.