Country Safety and Security Manager – Maiduguri, Nigeria

Country Safety
and security
manager – Maiduguri, nigeria

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the ultimate goal of building productive, secure and just communities. The organization’s programs are implemented in twelve states, mainly in Middle belt, North East Nigeria and Lagos. Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls & boys empowerment, financial resilience, conflict mitigation and humanitarian response. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Country Safety & Security Manager (CSSM) leads all oversight, direction and creation of all safety & security systems for Mercy Corps Nigeria, with a majority of the focus on the insecure portions of Northeast Nigeria. This CSSM is responsible for the delivery of hard and soft security measures that are adaptable and respond to the context. This includes but is not limited to: incident reporting & analysis and offering pro-active measures on safety and security, context analysis, staff training, improvements on existing systems of staff tracking, vehicle movement, communications and security/contingency planning. The CSSM will pro-actively partner with Mercy Corps programs to ensure context and risk analysis are conducted and risk mitigation measures are put in place as needed. The CSSM plays a vital role in managing all security incidences and is a member of the crisis management team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS.

Security Systems management

Ensure that security systems are in place and functioning as needed, including: incident & information reporting, travel tracking systems, communications protocols, etc.
Ensure that all necessary staff are educated upon use of security systems as needed and conduct periodic checks to ensure systems are functioning.
Utilize the Country Security Management Plan, Local Area Security Plans, Contingency Plans, Security Bulletin Boards and SOPs when adjusting systems and ensure that systems, equipment and personnel are in place to support all plans (this includes re-location, hibernation and evacuation plans).
Ensure standardization in security systems amongst all field offices while adjusting for context as necessary.
Ensure that Country & Field Security Management teams are aware of their decision making responsibilities in regards to security and that security decision making runs smoothly.
Manage Safety & Security Manager in Abuja, Liason & Safety Officers and any other security specific personnel to ensure duties are being performed up to standard.
Work with Country & Field SMTs to ensure all incidents are managed in such a way to minimize any impact to staff and the organization.
Conduct comprehensive security/risk assessment in potential new program/field sites, as necessary.
Take lead on planning and budgeting for all security related measures

Security & Contextual Information Analysis

Ensure incident and information reporting system is functioning and applicable information is being gathered.
Ensure information is analyzed and informs both operational and programmatic functions as required.
Utilize information gathered in routine and critical updates to security management tools, such as: Weekly Security Reports, Country Security Management Plan, Local Area Security Plans, Contingency Plans, Security Bulletin Boards and SOPs.
Gather and utilize information as required in order to perform requested humanitarian or contextual analysis, this could include: Risk Analysis & Mitigation measures, Humanitarian analysis to include: IDP movements, changes in conflict context, changes in political context, needs analysis, etc.
Coordinate with other bodies (INSO, etc.) to ensure all necessary information is gathered and analyzed.
Update Country Director and Country & Field Security Management Teams with recent and relevant security updates as required. STAFF TRAINING & LEARNING
Ensure effective security briefs and inductions are given to all staff as needed, i.e. initial security inductions, ex-pat visitors, field & deep field site briefs, etc.
Ensure training is in place for staff to support contingency plans and standard operating procedures.
Provide or facilitate and re-enforce security trainings as needed (particularly for staff at deep field sites), to include: Hostile Environment Awareness Training, Defensive Driving, Situational Awareness, First Aid and Trauma Care, Communications Training, etc.

MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP & REPRESENTATION

Conduct regular meetings with staff (particularly at deep sites) to ensure safety & security concerns are being met.
Manage and mentor all security related personnel with an eye to handing security operations over in the mid-term.
Represent Mercy Corps with external and internal stakeholders as needed.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary 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.

Reports directly to: Country Director

Works directly with: DCD, Project COPs/Directors, Liaison & Safety Officers, Field Managers, Operations Director/Managers, Field Director, Program Managers, Field Teams.

Supervisory Responsibility- All security staff report to CSSM

Knowledge and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, Master’s degree preferred.
5-7 years field experience in safety and security, operations with a security focus or information management with a security focus with a humanitarian or development non-governmental organization. Relevant experience in a business and/or military setting combined with at least 3-4 years humanitarian experience will be considered.
Experience in setting up and managing safety and security systems and protocols and providing training to staff.
Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies. Good context analysis skills.
Demonstrated management, leadership and mentoring skills.
Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
Effective skills in coordination, organization and prioritization as well as in Microsoft Office applications.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful Country Safety and Security Manager will be conscientious, with an excellent sense of judgment and commitment to integrity. S/he will demonstrate effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills. Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required. S/he will have interest and ability to travel and work in remote environments and awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Maiduguri, Nigeria. This assignment is unaccompanied. Team members in this location are expected to follow all Mercy Corps security protocols, which may change from time to time, relevant to the prevailing risk environment. Medical services are available. Electricity is available but is predominantly through generator. Running water, Internet connectivity and communication are reliable.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, Master’s degree preferred.
5-7 years field experience in safety and security, operations with a security focus or information management with a security focus with a humanitarian or development non-governmental organization. Relevant experience in a business and/or military setting combined with at least 3-4 years humanitarian experience will be considered.
Experience in setting up and managing safety and security systems and protocols and providing training to staff.
Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies. Good context analysis skills.
Demonstrated management, leadership and mentoring skills.
Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
Effective skills in coordination, organization and prioritization as well as in Microsoft Office applications.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.

PI120116238

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