Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Officer
Deir ez-Zor
- Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
- Location: Deir ez-Zor
- Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
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Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Security and Safety
- Closing Date:
Job Overview/Summary:
The Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Officer will facilitate access in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, conduct security risk assessments, and update access procedures. They will lead community engagement efforts, coordinate with local authorities and community leaders to enhance humanitarian access, oversee daily access operations, develop security management plans, and train staff on humanitarian access protocols. Additionally, they will supervise Field Safety Officers, provide timely safety and security information, and manage staff work plans and development.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain relationships and networks for IRC teams in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, facilitating access for staff and programmatic supplies essential to program sustainability.
- Conduct continuous and ad-hoc security risk assessments for all IRC programming areas in Northeast Syria, including newly planned programs.
- Identify and update access-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regularly, incorporating access and security considerations into IRC NES contingency planning.
- Develop and maintain updated contact lists, stakeholder analyses, and humanitarian access profiles.
- Lead the development and implementation of community engagement strategies that promote acceptance and enhance access.
- Oversee daily operations related to humanitarian access, including liaison with authorities and entities for administrative and substantive needs related to staff, programs, and organizational requirements.
- Develop Field Security Management Plans (FSMPs) for IRC areas of operation in Northeast Syria with support from the Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (HASM) and Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator (HASC).
Monitoring, reporting, communication:
- Develop and deliver training materials, coaching, and advice for staff and partners on humanitarian access issues, with support from the Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (HASM) and Coordinator (HASC).
- Collaborate with implementing partners to ensure the delivery of in-kind assistance and services adheres to humanitarian principles, in coordination with the Humanitarian Access Manager (HAM).
- Promote and support the integration of humanitarian access approaches into program design, implementation, and operations.
- Supervise the Field Safety and Security Officer to ensure the effective implementation of Security Management Plans (SMPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across facilities, personnel, and movements.
- Provide comprehensive, neutral, and non-partisan information on security risks, threats, and incidents.
- Coordinate weekly and daily cross-border movement planning and facilitation.
- Oversee staff work plans, vacation schedules, and professional development, ensuring alignment with program needs.
- Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, as well as probationary and annual performance reviews.
- Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, fostering a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to support staff in successfully performing their roles.
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:
- Recruit, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
- Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to strengthen the teams in Syria.
- Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct reports by communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and constructive feedback, and conducting documented semi-annual performance reviews.
- Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, fostering a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to ensure effective performance.
- Approve and manage time, attendance, and leave requests to maintain adequate departmental coverage, ensure accurate monthly timesheet submissions, and conduct probationary reviews.
- Hold high-quality, regular meetings with each direct report, at a minimum on a monthly basis.
- Provide measurable development plans, incorporating on-the-job learning opportunities to strengthen technical skills, share knowledge within the team, and guide career paths.
- Identify staff performance issues as needed and collaborate with Human Resources to document and address these in line with National Staff Employment Policies.
- Promote and monitor staff care and well-being, modeling healthy work-life balance practices and supporting appropriate interventions to address identified needs for both national and international staff.
- Seek opportunities to support staff in their career growth, aligning with succession planning and nationalization goals. Identify, train, and develop national staff to transition into roles and responsibilities by the end of the assignment.
- A university degree is required.
- A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in Humanitarian Access, safety and security.
- Previous experience in emergency or conflict-affected settings is required.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
- A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
- Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
- Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
- Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
- Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
- Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
- Curiosity, a desire to continually learn is a must.
- Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
- Proficiency in English and Arabic is required; knowledge of Kurdish is a strong asset.
- Travel: 40% to field sites in Raqqa and Dier Al Zor.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to:HAS Manager
Position directly supervises: HAS Officer
Indirect Reporting (If applicable): HAS Co
Key Internal Contacts: Programs and operations departments
Key External Contacts:Local authorities and HumanitarianActors
Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.
IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.
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.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.