Security /Liaison Officer

Background/IRC Summary:  

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been working in Pakistan for over 35 years, and manages and delivers large, complex programs to meet the needs in health, education, protection, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor and disaster affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

Under the direct supervision of Program/Project Coordinator the Security and Liaison Officer will be responsible for overall security matters for IRC field Programs.The major focus is to enable the secure delivery of programs and to proactively identify deficiencies and risks.

Job Overview/Summary: 

The job holder is expected to assist the Program/Project Coordinator for overall matters of IRC field Program. The major focus is to enable the secure delivery of programs and to proactively identify deficiencies and risks. S/he is expected to closely work with the DDS&BC and program team in the field offices and in ensuring the proper liaison with government agencies at the provincial level.S/he is responsible for implementing the IRC SOPs/CPs/Tools in the relevant operations areas and as per procedures and for supporting the program teams to effectively and efficiently use standard tools, systems and procedures related to safety and security,ensuring duty of care.

Major Responsibilities:

·         To promote the development of appropriate security information networks relevant to all IRC teams working in Baluchistan.

·         To support managers/teams in collecting and disseminating relevant security information thus enabling line management to manage security and safety effectively.This includes the security level and its implication.

·         To support staff in methods ensuring security information is recorded and analyzed regularly, and help management provide regular,concise and clear verbal and written security updates, under the supervision of Program/Project Coordinator.

·         To ensure the staff movement across the operational area is updated on a case by case basis.Liaise with internal and external stake holders to ensure appropriate security arrangements at field level.

·         Liaise with other agency security focal points, including NGOs,UN and local authorities concerned for security related issues and update Program/Project Coordinator and security.

·         Ensure security briefings prior to the commencement of any official visit.

·         Prepare daily situational reports and compile briefing reports about key features in each location. To conduct and report investigations into security incidents that impact on IRC Pakistan Program, in Balochistan.

·         Context analysis (internal and external) including: incident maps, stakeholder analysis, review of existing security management arrangements, risk analysis (on quarterly basis and where the situation changes).

·         Undertake regular site assessments of IRC physical properties and project areas,report on findings and design necessary improvements.Review security plans and procedures.

·         Maintain an updated list and contacts with focal points across the programs.

·         Undertake ongoing threat assessments using the security triangle as a basis of analysis;

Maintain confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality in all aspects of security arrangements;

·         To co-ordinate with managers, administration, and supply chain to ensure that the appropriate systems of administration, communication and transport are in place to facilitate good security management. In conjunction with the Program/Project Coordinator organize relevant safety and security trainings. Carry out other such tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Program/Project Coordinator with dotted lines reporting to Deputy Director Security and Business Continuity.

Job Requirements:

a)      Education:

Bachelors’ degree in Social Sciences or relevant field from any recognized University.

b) Work Experience:

• Minimum of three (03) years progressive relevant work experience, preferably with INGOs.
• Ability to work under pressure in an unstable security environment. Ability to handle sensitive information with strict confidentiality.
• Experience in training, capacity building and team building of staff.

c) Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills,
• Strong coordination, ability and experience coordinating with government and partner organizations
• Excellent  Communication, training, capacity building and team building skills.
• Flexibility to work in a diverse multicultural team with respect for Pakistani culture and norms.
• Proven ability to live and work in an unstable, stressful, and insecure environment.
• Knowledge of MS Office package (word, excel, power point,outlook)
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong, creative problem-solving skills

d)      Language Skills:

• Must be fluent in Urdu & English, local languages.

Gender Equality:IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment. Women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Experience:

3 Years (Ability to work under pressure in an unstable security environment.Ability to handle sensitive information with strict confidentiality. Experience in training, capacity building and team building of staff)

The IRC Core Values and Commitments;

The IRC Core Values:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

Child Safeguarding:

IRC is committed to ensuring that IRC staff is suitable to work with children and have the knowledge s/he needs to uphold and abide by the IRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy.

Level of interaction with children:  Less direct contact with children

Client responsiveness:

IRC ensures that its staff must actively practice the roles and responsibilities related to client responsiveness, accountability to people in affected communities and must have competencies to solicits and listens to feedback and other’s perspectives, responds to feedback with maturity and sensitivity and takes appropriate decisions and makes changes to behavior or actions in response to feedback.

Gender:

IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment.

Women candidates and persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.