Senior Security 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 30 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 supervision of the Deputy Director, Security & Business Continuity (DDS&BC) the Senior Security Officer will be responsible for overall security matters for IRC Country 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 DDS&BC for overall matters of IRC Country 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 Manager/Officer in the field offices and in ensuring the proper liaison at the provincial level. S/he is responsible for planning and 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 Pakistan.

§  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 SSC.

§  To ensure the staff movement across the country is updated on a case by case basis.

§  To attend relevant security meetings.

§  Conduct investigations into security incidents that impact on IRC Pakistan Program.

§  Undertake regular site assessments of IRC physical properties and project areas, report on findings and design necessary improvements.

§  Review security plans and policies;

§  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;

§  Liaise with other agency security focal points, including NGOs, UN and local authorities concerned for security related issues and update SSC;

§  Develop weekly security update and progress reports for submission to DDS&BC ;

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

§  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) and capacity assessment

§  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 Senior Security Coordinator, to organize refresher workshops on security and initiate simulation training in given risks (hi-jacking, robbery, evacuation, etc).

Carry out other such tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director, Security & Business Continuity Position directly supervises: Security guards 

Job Requirements:

a)      Education:

• Master’s 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,
• Ability and experience coordinating with government and partner organizations
• Excellent training, capacity building and team building skills
• Strong coordination, communication and capacity 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)
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong, creative problem-solving skills

d)      Language Skills:

• Must be fluent in Urdu & English 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.