JOB DESCRIPTION
About CRS: Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Background: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
Job Summary: The Deputy Regional Safety and Security Advisor supports technical, both operational and tactical, safety and security solutions to the East Africa (EARO) and Southern Africa (SARO) Country Programs and Regional Offices. The Deputy Advisor is responsible for coordination, support and where necessary facilitation of safety and security training initiatives and implementation of safety and security systems and policies. The Deputy Advisor will propose updates to effectiveness and efficiency in Country Program security documentation, operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessment processes and continuity of operations preparedness plans. The Deputy Advisor collaborates with relevant national and international security agencies and providers, through representation, relationship building, information sharing and advocacy.
Job Responsibilities:
Technical Assistance
Ensure that all security systems and procedures are communicated and adhered to by the EARO and SARO Country Programs and provide technical support and coordination to these Country Programs.
In close collaboration with the Regional Safety Advisor;
Provide international, regional and local security information and research, as needed, to support the continued improvement of, as well as technical input to all EARO-SARO CPs in the development and management of their Country Security Plans and other security risk management documents.
Assist EARO-SARO CPs in aligning health, safety and security plans and systems with current and future program design.
Conduct and assist Country Programs with initial security assessments before a new CRS offices/program is opened and staff is assigned to a (country) program. In case of office closures, conduct and assist with the security assessment and closure processes.
Train and assist CP staff in preparing, conducting, and reporting risk assessments. Monitor and follow up on implementation of the mitigation measures and plans.
Strengthen and drive the risk assessment process by carrying out regular threat and vulnerability assessments, adapting procedures accordingly and monitoring compliance, together with the CP Security Focal Points.
Monitor proper implementation of the Safety and Security Management Plans and provide guidance on security management procedures, policies and practices.
Triage, review and follow up on reported incidents. Work with RSSA to provide technical support to country programs on incident management. Escalates security concerns and incident management as needed.
Stay up to date with international trends and developments, monitor open sources and cultivate different sources of information and analysis around safety and security trends in the region and share these with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor.
Monitor and review CRS’ staff tracking systems as necessary, monitor staff compliance and propose adjustments as needed.
In collaboration with RSSA follow up with CPs to ensure that Security document including Field Security Plans, Visitor Briefing Pack, Standard ProceduresConstant companion are reviewed, updated and socialized to Staff.
Identify and propose opportunities to interface with regional-level and country-level security committees, key contacts, and staff from other agencies to support the update of Field Security Plans. Carry out regular assessments to review and monitor compliance and propose improvements.
Support CRS’ continuous process of improvement on safety and security risk management.
Organizational & Systems Implementation and Staff Capacity Strengthening
Support the implementation of CRS’ health, safety and security risk management system in the regions.
Assist and collaborate with CPs in defining roles and responsibilities for safety and security management. Generate recommendations to optimize organizational/departmental efficiency, performance and accountability.
Support the facilitation of the regions’ community of practice for security focal points and other interested parties to encourage learning and implementation of best practices in the area of health, safety, and security management.
Monitor, track, and promote effective use of communications equipment as per the regional specific SOPs.
Organize and Facilitate incident and crisis management trainings and exercises.
Liaise with other members of the CRS global safety and security community for additional sources of technical or training assistance, best practices and learning.
Support regional requests for safety and security training.
Ensure compliance with CRS’s security training and learning policy
Implement trainings at the regional and country level, including those for drivers and guards.
Document dates and types of security training staff members have received and make recommendations on training needs.
Strengthen CP training capacity and facilitate HSS trainings as needed.
Deploy to country programs to provide surge support or help manage critical incidents if needed.
Acting RSSA in case of travel or absence of the Regional Safety and Security Advisor.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Regional Advisor Safety and Security Risk Management, Deputy Regional Director(s), Regional Technical Advisors, Country Representatives, Heads of Operations, Heads of Programs, Security Focal Points, Health Safety and Security Unit and Humanitarian Response Department.
External: International and local partners, including local and US Catholic agencies, US Embassy RSOs within the region, contracted security service providers, security officers of other international and local NGOs operating in EARO and SARO.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in security management, international development, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of 3 years work experience in operational safety and security management with an international humanitarian organization.
Technical/Professional:
Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in security and staff safety
Experience working in delicate situations with partner organizations
Knowledge of and working experience in the regions strongly preferred
Strong cross-cultural skills
Ability to train and convey information to non-security personnel
Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
Excellent writing skills and strong communicator
Proficiency in MS Office
Diplomatic, able to manage conflict and move groups toward consensus
Ability to make sound decision, including when to escalate issues
Excellent organization and planning skills, detail-oriented, ability to work on multiple task simultaneously
Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a commitment to humanitarian principles
Able to work without close supervision
Quick learner, adaptable and creative
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong analytical and critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions
Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship
Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences
Ability to collaborate with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams
Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in related discipline
Familiarity in working for Non-governmental Organizations
Demonstrated experience of successful security program support at regional level
Previous experience with partner engagement
Ability to present and train different levels and compositions of staff and partners
Formal technical training(s) in safety and security is a plus
Apply via :
eipn.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com
