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Regional Security & Safety Officer_ West & Central Africa
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BACKGROUND
The Regional Security & Safety Officer will work to reduce the risks faced by UICN-PACO personnel, assets and programs in UICN’s West & Central Africa Region and Programs Offices, through the provision of specialized, coordinated and focused safety and security preparedness and management support. This will include regional, as well as program office specific assessments and regular contact with Head of Programs and the Regional Leadership Team.
The RSSO will establish and implement processes and systems, to ensure an effective regional wide security system as well as train and support staff to ensure that operational risks are minimized. She/He will demonstrate a high level of socio-cultural, political and economic understanding of the many contexts in which UICN-PACO works. The RSSO will also develop a solid working knowledge of UICN-PACO's program framework to provide guidance and direction for safety and security to support UICN-PACO's vision and mission. The RSSO will be required to develop and maintain a network of information on strategic regional developments that could harm or influence UICN-PACO's operations. The RSSO will be required to work closely with the Regional Director and Head of programs in identifying priority areas, program offices, supporting, building capacity and systems as may be required.
The RSSO will be required to travel to UICN-PACO's operational areas in the region, including volatile and dangerous locations, to support Program Offices in addressing deteriorating security, developing security plans, and providing technical assistance where appropriate.
The RSSO will establish and implement processes and systems, to ensure an effective regional wide security system as well as train and support staff to ensure that operational risks are minimized. She/He will demonstrate a high level of socio-cultural, political and economic understanding of the many contexts in which UICN-PACO works. The RSSO will also develop a solid working knowledge of UICN-PACO's program framework to provide guidance and direction for safety and security to support UICN-PACO's vision and mission. The RSSO will be required to develop and maintain a network of information on strategic regional developments that could harm or influence UICN-PACO's operations. The RSSO will be required to work closely with the Regional Director and Head of programs in identifying priority areas, program offices, supporting, building capacity and systems as may be required.
The RSSO will be required to travel to UICN-PACO's operational areas in the region, including volatile and dangerous locations, to support Program Offices in addressing deteriorating security, developing security plans, and providing technical assistance where appropriate.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITY 1: Team Leadership, Staff Management, Coaching, Mentoring & Capacity Building
Coach, mentor and professionally develop West & Central Africa’s safety and security stakeholders. This will require a significant portion of the RSSO's time as the IUCN-PACO region operates with a range of safety and security personnel; from Sub-Regional Security Officers (SRSOs) and professional safety and security managers to field safety and security focal points.
Support or facilitate training in accordance with IUCN policy and principles for staff and stakeholders. In close liaison with IUCN Security Global Team, he will build the capacity of safety and employees. During programs office visits, provide ongoing mentorship and coaching to the security focal points.
Identify other training needs, based on developing trends or repeat incident. If necessary, the RSSO will support program offices to identify suitable training providers and packages.
Provide regular high-level support to Head of programs, and country / regional leadership teams. Including strategic recommendations as to the country level security posture, technical guidance on high-risk mitigation strategies, crisis response and maintaining security budgets, including advice and support on proposal design.
RESPONSIBILITY 2: Administrative & Financial Management Responsibilities
Develop activities and goals in line with the Regional and Global roadmaps. Ensure that the planned annual activities for the RSSOs contribute to the realization of the Global Security Plan’ roadmap.
Ensure that the administration and logistical requirements of reporting staff are completed in a timely, and regular fashion.
Ensure that the Program offices operational security budgets are completed, updated, and reflect the operational needs of the operational environment.
Complete and participate in a personal annual performance assessment.
Ensure the Global Security mission cycle protocol is completed for each deployment, including, developing terms of reference, mission reporting, expense accounting and follow up on recommendations.
Supervise the completion of the Regional monthly from P0’s and ensure that a regional security report is submitted, on time to the Global Security ‘Team.
Ensure that Global Security’ KPI records are regularly reviewed and updated. Ensure that there is a formal discussion with regional and Head of Programs at least once per quarter on KPIs.
RESPONSIBILITY 3: Develop Strategies, Procedures and Protocols
Advise Regional leadership and Head of Programs and work with Global safety and security Teams so that best practice models and approaches to safety and security can be developed.
Based on the findings of the threat and risk assessments, oversee the development of relevant procedures to be implemented in programs offices and all IUCN-PACO presences to mitigate risk and demonstrate best practices.
Ensure that all Procedures and Protocols as required, by the IUCN Global Safety and Security Principles and Standards are observed.
Participate in the recruitment of, focal points, guard services and security service providers, where appropriate.
Advise and assist the Programs Offices in the development and maintenance of Program Office Safety and Security Committee, Crisis Management Team and any other structure to enhance safety and security in the PO.
RESPONSIBILITY 4: Assessments, Planning and information Management
Conduct strategic regional assessments and/or specific assessments as prioritized in a collaboration with the Regional Director. Develop and maintain a robust contextual understanding of our areas of operations, in consultation with program, safety and security stakeholders, staff and peer security advisors.
Conduct program office or presence specific security assessments and assist Program Offices to prepare and maintain comprehensive Threat and Risk assessments of IUCN-PACO vulnerabilities. Where it is feasible / time permitting the RSSO may undertake and complete country Threat and Risk Assessments in close liaison with either the safety and security stakeholders of a program office.
The RSSO will advise the program office on technical requirements and support the development of the safety and security management plans.
The RSSO will assist the program office prepare for catastrophic events and critical incidents.
RESPONSIBILITY 5: Act in a crisis
The RSSO acts as a key advisor to the regional Crisis Management Team, ensuring that when required a full Crisis Management Team (CMT) is implemented and that Flash messages are sent to the Regional Director and SLT.
Establish and coordinate with the regional and program office crisis management team (CMT) and advise them of possible actions and best practices.
Coordinate between affected program offices during a crisis, in multi-presence situations.
Where possible assist with emergency medical evacuations within the region.
Deploy to support program Office crisis response.
Investigate and follow up security incidents in which IUCN-PACO staff are involved, eg. Arrest, detention etc.
RESPONSIBILITY 6: Regional Liaison and Representation
Participation in Regional Senior Leadership Teams and other program Offices management fora to both contribute to the general management of the regions and to ensure the safety and security perspective is represented.
Attend, lead regional safety and security meetings with peer organizations and partners. Represent IUCN-PACO on regional forums.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED
Perform other duties as assigned.
Coach, mentor and professionally develop West & Central Africa’s safety and security stakeholders. This will require a significant portion of the RSSO's time as the IUCN-PACO region operates with a range of safety and security personnel; from Sub-Regional Security Officers (SRSOs) and professional safety and security managers to field safety and security focal points.
Support or facilitate training in accordance with IUCN policy and principles for staff and stakeholders. In close liaison with IUCN Security Global Team, he will build the capacity of safety and employees. During programs office visits, provide ongoing mentorship and coaching to the security focal points.
Identify other training needs, based on developing trends or repeat incident. If necessary, the RSSO will support program offices to identify suitable training providers and packages.
Provide regular high-level support to Head of programs, and country / regional leadership teams. Including strategic recommendations as to the country level security posture, technical guidance on high-risk mitigation strategies, crisis response and maintaining security budgets, including advice and support on proposal design.
RESPONSIBILITY 2: Administrative & Financial Management Responsibilities
Develop activities and goals in line with the Regional and Global roadmaps. Ensure that the planned annual activities for the RSSOs contribute to the realization of the Global Security Plan’ roadmap.
Ensure that the administration and logistical requirements of reporting staff are completed in a timely, and regular fashion.
Ensure that the Program offices operational security budgets are completed, updated, and reflect the operational needs of the operational environment.
Complete and participate in a personal annual performance assessment.
Ensure the Global Security mission cycle protocol is completed for each deployment, including, developing terms of reference, mission reporting, expense accounting and follow up on recommendations.
Supervise the completion of the Regional monthly from P0’s and ensure that a regional security report is submitted, on time to the Global Security ‘Team.
Ensure that Global Security’ KPI records are regularly reviewed and updated. Ensure that there is a formal discussion with regional and Head of Programs at least once per quarter on KPIs.
RESPONSIBILITY 3: Develop Strategies, Procedures and Protocols
Advise Regional leadership and Head of Programs and work with Global safety and security Teams so that best practice models and approaches to safety and security can be developed.
Based on the findings of the threat and risk assessments, oversee the development of relevant procedures to be implemented in programs offices and all IUCN-PACO presences to mitigate risk and demonstrate best practices.
Ensure that all Procedures and Protocols as required, by the IUCN Global Safety and Security Principles and Standards are observed.
Participate in the recruitment of, focal points, guard services and security service providers, where appropriate.
Advise and assist the Programs Offices in the development and maintenance of Program Office Safety and Security Committee, Crisis Management Team and any other structure to enhance safety and security in the PO.
RESPONSIBILITY 4: Assessments, Planning and information Management
Conduct strategic regional assessments and/or specific assessments as prioritized in a collaboration with the Regional Director. Develop and maintain a robust contextual understanding of our areas of operations, in consultation with program, safety and security stakeholders, staff and peer security advisors.
Conduct program office or presence specific security assessments and assist Program Offices to prepare and maintain comprehensive Threat and Risk assessments of IUCN-PACO vulnerabilities. Where it is feasible / time permitting the RSSO may undertake and complete country Threat and Risk Assessments in close liaison with either the safety and security stakeholders of a program office.
The RSSO will advise the program office on technical requirements and support the development of the safety and security management plans.
The RSSO will assist the program office prepare for catastrophic events and critical incidents.
RESPONSIBILITY 5: Act in a crisis
The RSSO acts as a key advisor to the regional Crisis Management Team, ensuring that when required a full Crisis Management Team (CMT) is implemented and that Flash messages are sent to the Regional Director and SLT.
Establish and coordinate with the regional and program office crisis management team (CMT) and advise them of possible actions and best practices.
Coordinate between affected program offices during a crisis, in multi-presence situations.
Where possible assist with emergency medical evacuations within the region.
Deploy to support program Office crisis response.
Investigate and follow up security incidents in which IUCN-PACO staff are involved, eg. Arrest, detention etc.
RESPONSIBILITY 6: Regional Liaison and Representation
Participation in Regional Senior Leadership Teams and other program Offices management fora to both contribute to the general management of the regions and to ensure the safety and security perspective is represented.
Attend, lead regional safety and security meetings with peer organizations and partners. Represent IUCN-PACO on regional forums.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
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• A bachelor’s degree in a field related to humanitarian work or security risk management • Formal safety and security qualifications and/or formal training certification • Fluency in French and English. • Desired • Advanced qualification in risk management, emergency response or business continuity planning • Adult training certification • Experience/Technical Skills Required • five years’ experience in assisting international organizations in developing security Strategies for their operations in multicultural contexts • Five years’ experience in managing security professionals and mentoring security focal points • Three years’ experience working living in developing countries/contexts with at least two years operations in complex/post-conflict environments. • Fluency in French and English • Proven capacity to assess threats and develop risk management strategies • Proven capacity to be able to evaluate, analyze and contextualize complex and challenging issues to different stakeholders and audiences • Proven capacity to be able to mentor and coach staff • High level of experience in developing security-related procedures, tools guidelines and systems • Demonstrated capacity to deal with ambiguity and manage challenging issues in multiple settings and stressful conditions • Demonstrated high degree of emotional intelligence and political acumen. • Desired • Previous experience of operating in the West & Central Africa region and familiarity with the different operating contexts; • Experience of working at a regional level, managing multiple country and presences. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
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