Humanitarian Access & Security Manager

Background:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping people uprooted by conflict and disaster. IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to people affected by war or disaster to survive, recover and regain their futures. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC has been operating in Jordan since 2007. Today, IRC assists Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities in achieving improvements in economic wellbeing, health, education, early childhood development and safety. IRC operates in Amman, Mafraq and Irbid governorates, with a main office in Amman and operations in East Amman, Azraq and Za’atari camps, Mafraq, Ramtha, and Irbid. In addition to southern governorates through partners. Programming includes women’s and children’s protection and empowerment, livelihoods, primary and reproductive health care, and early childhood development.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Humanitarian Access & Security Manager (HASM) will develop and oversee the implementation of humanitarian access and security management plans in compliance with IRC’s strategy and in alignment with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, Duty of Care and Gender Equality principles. The post holder will provide expert advice to all IRC entities based in Amman, including the Jordan and Syria Country Programs (CP), regional office, and the Shared Services Unit (SSU). The HASM will identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in Jordan and will ensure that adequate and up-to-date policies, security management plans and procedures are in place, and known to all staff. The incumbent will work closely with key stakeholders to design, develop and implement high quality training and capacity strengthening programs to all national and international staff based in Jordan.

Major Responsibilities:

Safety and Security Risk Management

•  Provide technical support to all IRC entities and staff based in Jordan (including Jordan CP, Syria CP, SSU and regional office) on all policies, procedures, guidelines and planning for staff safety, operational security and program continuity.
•  Develop, review and update the Security Management Plans for Amman, North Jordan, South Jordan and all other field locations on a regular basis.
• Implement operating procedures and contingency plans by working with the Field Humanitarian Access & Security Officer and all field Security Focal Points.
• Maintain a high level of preparedness operationally and programmatically in anticipation of contextual changes.
• Evaluate, review and update the hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC premises in Jordan, and ensure that the practical preparations are in place and known to all staff involved.
• Ensure that accurate, up-to-date security/communications information is available in appropriate local language(s) to all staff based in Jordan.
• Manage safety and security incidents pertaining to all IRC staff and assets.
• Coordinate the management of security incidents with various heads of IRC entities in Jordan
• Conduct risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences. Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
• Undertake continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met.
• Provide technical advice and support to IRC partners in Jordan on safety and security management.
• Ensure compliance on COVID-19 and/or other responses to ensure compliance at IRC offices and field sites.

Humanitarian Access Management

•  Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in all sites throughout Jordan.
• Ensure humanitarian access approaches are responsive to local context and include overarching community engagement components.
• Ensure that all IRC teams based in Jordan conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant local actors in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and IRC’s strategy.
• Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations.
• Contribute to the enhancement of IRC’s image, reputation and acceptance within local communities and amongst stakeholders by providing guidance on inclusive visibility strategies.
• Work with appropriate IRC units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of IRC’s Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles.

Learning, Training and Capacity Strengthening

•  Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report and technical-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• In consultation with the Regional Safety & Security Director, design and implement Learning and Development programs to all staff based in Jordan.
• Support partner organizations in coordination with the partnership unit by providing advice and including partners in capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Provide orientation and capacity building to all staff including drivers, security guards, volunteers on security policies and procedures. Provide security induction to new hires and security briefing to IRC visitors.

Monitoring, Reporting & Analysis

•  Constantly monitor available sources to collect, compile and report information including incidents and trends pertinent to humanitarian access and security.
• Prepare and disseminate regular updates to senior field, country and entity management teams
• Provide timely area-based access analysis based on programmatic demands
• Compile and submit the Monthly Security Report for Jordan through IRC dedicated platform.
•  Support the Regional Humanitarian Analyst in analyzing the latest developments in Jordan and how these are likely to impact IRC in-country operations.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Country Director Jordan, and management in partnership with Regional Safety & Security Director

Dotted Reporting Line: Country Director Syria

Supervises: Humanitarian Access Security Officer (Field)Focused

Technical supervision: Guards

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Field Manager, Program Coordinators/Managers, Syria Humanitarian Access & Security Director, Regional Safety & Security Director, Regional Humanitarian Analyst, functional leaders

External: NGOs, other humanitarian actors, local implementing partners, UN agencies, international organizations, local authorities, and service providers