The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The IRC launched an emergency response in oPt in 2023, responding to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. Prior to October 7th, in June 2023, we conducted a scoping mission to oPt, in West Bank, and subsequently developed a strategic plan to initiate programming in West Bank. Since then, and in the context of catastrophic fighting and renewed violence, the IRC has initiated an emergency response in Gaza and developed a response plan with partners which includes Gaza and West Bank. Implementing a diverse, integrated program of health, protection, cash and scaling up in WASH and nutrition, these programs prioritize local partnerships with both public institutions and civil society, and span emergency, humanitarian, recovery, and development modalities, while serving vulnerable Palestinians in oPt.
Scope of work
The Humanitarian Access & Security Officer (HASO) reports directly to the Humanitarian Access & Security Manager – Gaza (HASM) and supports covering Gaza operations. The HASO will work with the corresponding HASM and Office with technical support from the Humanitarian Access and Security Department, to assist in ensuring that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, are contextually appropriate, and known to staff. He will also be in charge of supporting in the creation of a strong network with all the actors in the area and maintaining excellent relations with the local authorities.
The HASO will be supporting in the implementation of IRC Safety & Security management measures, as well as assisting the HASM in providing contextual analysis and understanding to decision-makers. The HASO will prioritize the humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care, and the IRC’s strategy action plans for Gaza in their work. The HASO will be technically supported by the HASM and the HAS Co to fulfill the HA&S Department standards for its Area of Responsibility.
The HASO will conduct onsite briefings for staff and support in the development and implementation of appropriate plans, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans. S/he will support the HASM in providing expert humanitarian security and advice to the IRC staff in Gaza Field Office, contextual understanding, advisories, and incident management. The HASO might be requested to cover for the HASM during limited periods.
Reporting relationships and coordination:
Reports to: Humanitarian Access & Security Manager – Gaza (HASM)
Technical supervision by: HASM – Gaza & HAS Co – oPt
Technically Supervises: N/A.
Key Interfaces: Operations teams, Program teams, Humanitarian Access & Security Department, and other relevant staff as necessary with program expansion.
Responsibilities
Safety and Security Management
•Support IRC by assisting the HASM in providing technical support to the wider team on all policies, procedures, guidelines, and planning for staff safety, and operational security.
•Support IRC by assisting the HASM in evaluating, reviewing, and updating security management plans regularly. Reference and ensure compliance with the IRC Security Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes.
•Support IRC and the HA&S Dpt. by assisting the HASM in working with key stakeholders to develop, consolidate, and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.
•Support IRC and the HA&S Dpt by assisting the HASM in evaluating, reviewing, and updating the hibernation and evacuation plans and ensuring that practical preparations are in place and known to all relevant staff.
•Support IRC and the HA&S Dpt by assisting the HASM in conducting risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices, residences, and hotels. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
•Support IRC and the HA&S Dpt by assisting the HASM in undertaking continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met.
•Support the HASM in implementing the best possible solutions for the use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff, including proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment.
•Support the HASM with the follow-up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards
•Support IRC and the HA&S Dpt, by assisting the HASM in ensuring safety and security protocols, reporting mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles, and background, and are sensitive to local contexts.
•Support the HASM on the update, regularly, all safety documentation relating to their area of operation (SOPs, CPs, Security briefing, S&S regulation memo, CONOPs, etc.)
•Support the HASM in tracking all the movements in its Area of Responsability.
Networking and Liaison
•Monitor and provide support and reporting on NGO security initiatives, as required.
•Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in all areas of operation are known and accepted.
•Work to encourage stakeholders to collaborate with IRC in ensuring that staff are safe and given permission to continue humanitarian activities in Gaza
•Liaise with relevant security actors e.g., NGO security staff, UN, security forces, local community stakeholders, and local authorities.
Context Understanding and Reporting
•Compile and submit regular reports that track incidents and trends in local security contexts.
•Submit daily contextual updates as needed to relevant staff.
•Support the HASM to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately.
•Monitor the operating environment in the region, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities, and recommend possible responses to the HASM.
•Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents along with appropriate advice to IRC.
Requirements
Job Requirements
Education: Graduation from a higher education facility in a relevant subject is preferred, however, secondary education and significant professional experience will be considered.
Work Experience:
•Demonstrable experience of civilian, non-profit, or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs, having undertaken planning, organizing, and executing security operations in the field.
•Experience in obtaining information on local, national, and international development, and providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur (both written and verbal)
•Demonstrated Leadership Competencies:
•Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders
•Strong negotiation and mediation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution essential
•Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
•Experience working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, local authorities, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.
Languages Required/Preferred:
•Fluency in spoken and written Arabic
•Knowledge of English is highly appreciated.
Computer/Other Requirements:
•Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to Travel: up to 40% traveling if needed. This position will be based in locations where IRC has a presence. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.