Description
Background
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Purpose / Project Description
The main goal of the Country Security Manager Consultant is to create and foster a climate of security awareness that enables programs to be implemented. S/he is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members and is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives.
The Consultant will oversee country Security Focal Points (SFPs) to monitor the safety and security environment, analyze context, report incidents, provide briefings and support the security management of the country.
While the Country Director holds primary responsibility for security management, the Consultant will be the vital contact for safety and security in a country program. The Country Security Manager Consultant is responsible to implement, or operationalize, the security plan and guide the Risk Management Team in order to ensure the implementation, accuracy and relevance of security planning.
Consultant Activities
- Maintains Mercy Corps’ Global Minimum Standards for Safety & Security which include security management planning; documentation; orientations and briefings; journey management, including approval processes and staff tracking; incident reporting; office and workplace safety. This also includes management targets related to training, budgeting and staffing.
- Conducts country and local Security Risk Assessments for different security risk contexts and use these periodic assessments to inform its security management planning. Communicate relevant updates to the context, threats or procedures to team members and documents updated, as necessary.
- Drafts, updates, contributes and/or implements the Security Management Plan. Each plan includes at a minimum: risk assessment; contact information for the Risk Management Team; context analysis; standard operating procedures (SOPs); contingency planning; emergency medical planning and contacts, incident reporting instructions.
- Leads mandatory Security Incident reporting. Country offices are required to report and maintain a log of security incidents. It is the responsibility of the security focal point to maintain this log and also ensure individual security incidents are well-documented in a way that enables the country risk management team to analyze their immediate risk environment and also the agency to learn and improve upon their risk management approach. Critical incidents must be reported to the global security team immediately.
- Coordinates security trainings, orientations, visitor briefing and on-boarding. It is the responsibility of the Country Security Manager Consultant and SFPs to ensure that team members are prepared for the security risks and environments they will encounter. This is done through a briefing on the environment and orientation to Mercy Corps procedures and planning. This is generally done prior to starting the responsibilities however, in some cases this is done in-situ with trainings, briefings and access to security plans. Updates, briefings and trainings are offered or provided periodically or as situations evolve.
- Lead the Risk Management Team to help guide and implement security management in the country. Chairs Risk Management Team meetings and maintains a file of minutes or notes from the meetings.
- Oversee the annual, security self-audit with the Risk Management Team.
- Serves as a point of contact for the Senior Director of Global Security and the Regional Security Advisor.
Consultant Deliverables
Provide Security System Management
- Familiarity with key security resources on the Hub and DL.
- Ability to set up incident tracking and security files in country and/or navigate access to in-country files that already exist.
- Ability to promote a culture of security awareness and management.
- For applicable country office; supervise the implementation of
- Security Management Plan (SMP) and Annexes
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Contingency Plans
- Risk Assessments and Risk Register and mitigation plans
- Other related security and risk management policies and procedures as required
- Convener, promoter and member of the Risk Management Team (RMT).
- Ensure RMT (Risk Management Team) meetings occur on a regular schedule.
- Advise Program and Heads of Offices on security safety management strategies, including the transfer, avoidance, acceptance and/or control of risks.
- Regular posting of security information to all staff via a convenient platform that they can easily access.
- Assist in the reporting and management of incidents and provide timely and accurate incident reports. Ensure incident reporting is conducted as necessary, documented and logged. Includes completion of incident report form, informing necessary actors and maintaining incident report file.
- Maintain an updated list of all necessary telephone and contact numbers of authorities in all Mercy Corps areas of work and residence.
- Ensures the translation of all key documents in the local language/s.
- Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm[1].
Security and Contextual Information Analysis
- Monitors local and national news, information available from other agencies, Mercy Corps offices, and disseminate appropriate information in regular updates.
- If/ as feasible, conduct routine site visits to Mercy Corps field offices and provide situation reports on the security situation in the area. Provide specific recommendations for the field offices and field staff conduct, as required.
- Use these periodic assessments to ensure that appropriate measures are taken for safe operation.
- Inform on issues that may have an effect on Mercy Corps security in the country and advice on precautionary measures.
- Produce regular written reports in the appropriate language (by demand) on the security situation in the areas of operation.
- Ensure regularly updated incident mapping based on gathered information. Map and advise on Go/No-Go areas.
- Coordinate with Mercy Corps supervisory staff in tracking staff movements in the field. Establish a communication system with field staff when/where necessary. Advise on travel restrictions or precautionary measures, as required.
Team members learning and Training
- Ensure orientation of new expatriate staff is completed on first day of arrival.
- Provide regular briefings/trainings to national staff on preventative security measures, and conduct on and off Mercy Corps premises.
- Respond to staff inquiries about security issues and emergencies, and provide immediate assistance when necessary
- Maintain an updated database of all essential contacts, phone numbers and addresses of law enforcement agencies in the area
- Prepare a security training plan with supervisor, and conduct or organize security trainings as needed.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as required by Mercy Corps’ global security policies and determined by country leadership.
- Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.
- Conduct themselves both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Accountability to partners
- The Consultant is expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically
to our partners and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. - Uphold CARM standards and responsibilities.
Timeframe
January – December 2024
The Consultant will report to: Relevant Country Director(s).
The Consultant will work closely with: Regional Security Advisor, Director of Programs, other senior Country Leadership Team members.
Required Experience & Skills
- Minimum 6-8 years of relevant experience including at least 2-3 years in field or country office level positions. Experience in Asia region a plus.
- BA/BS or equivalent in Politics, Law, Conflict / Security Studies, International Relations, relevant Area Studies, or other related field; MA/S in relevant field preferred.
- Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in relevant local languages an asset.
- Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Technical competencies:
- Familiarity and experience with principles of security and risk management, including SOPs, policies, contingency plans, etc.
- Certified to deliver first aid training to a basic standard.
- Can provide training on conflict awareness and survival.
- Understands donor regulations and how they can impact humanitarian access, particularly with regards to dealing with proscribed groups and individuals.
- Possesses advanced knowledge about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and humanitarian principles in relation to humanitarian access.
Functional competencies
- Understands goals and aims of program management in order to support program implementation.
- Supports team members through capacity building.
- Has basic understanding of human resources, procurement processes, and basic functions of operations.
Leadership competencies
- Nurtures innovation across the team
- Drives impact by building high performing teams
- Broadens influence by role-modelling/leveraging networks
The successful Country Security Manager Consultant ensures security and safety issues are addressed to allow the implementation of the country humanitarian programs. S/he is open to work with a diversity of culture, values and different perspectives of people. S/he is able to work under pressure and has a high degree of discretion and prudent management of general and privileged information. S/he has strong skills about crisis management and conflict resolution in communities or in working life situations.
This consultancy can be based remotely, with regional travel in Asia required. The ability to travel regionally in stable environments, and to align working hours with relevant time zones will be required. Given relevant contexts, this consultancy requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends, if/as necessary.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
[1] Do No Harm: Avoid exposing people to further harm as a result of your actions & protect people from physical and psychological harm (as stated in
“Protection at Mercy Corps”).