BACKGROUND: 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.
The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact.
The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Al Dhale, and expanded later in Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The Roving Senior Humanitarian, Access, and Security Officer (SHASO) is accountable for engaging with the authorities/stockholders and safeguarding staff safety, security, assets, and operations through the application and supervision of security policies, procedures, and protocols.
Responsibilities include managing the West coast office and potentially managing other field offices in accordance with the HASC request.
Job Overview/Summary:
The Roving Senior Humanitarian Access and Security Officer (SHASO) play a vital role in ensuring a safe working environment for our staff, partners, and operations. Working alongside the Field Coordinator and the Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator, this role supports teams in complex environments, strengthens community relationships, and ensures programs reach vulnerable populations safely. Success in this position requires adaptability, strong communication skills, and a commitment to humanitarian principles.
WORKING RELATIONS:
Position Reports to Field Coordinator (FC)
Technical support: Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator (HASC)
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Networking, Liaison & Acceptance
Build and maintain strong relationships and networks to collect access-related information within and beyond intervention areas. Develop, update, and manage contact lists, coordinate actor mapping at district and sub-district levels. Create and regularly update internal maps to reflect security conditions Identify humanitarian access challenges and support program teams in developing practical solutions. Ensure consistent implementation of community engagement strategies that promote acceptance and safe access.Monitoring, Reporting & Analysis
Evaluate scenarios using formal and informal networks, field teams. Report immediately to the line manager and internal actors any sudden changes that can impact security and access in the areas where IRC operates. Provide contextual data inputs related to the overall humanitarian situation and report/share with FC, programs, and HASC. Conduct regular safety inspections of all IRC facilities and vehicles as per IRC policy. Identify indicators and key decision points and link them to the SRA and safety phases. Assist in training on safety procedures as required for program staff. Provide safety-related advice on program development and implementation.Training / Capacity Building
Deliver mentorship, training materials, and guidance to staff and partners on humanitarian access, Safety and Security issues, in collaboration with HASM and HASC. Encourage and support the integration of humanitarian access strategies into program design, implementation, and operations.Mechanisms and Communications:
Develop staff readiness on security risks, threats, and incidents with quality, regular training. Provide regular training for IRC staff, visitors, contractors, and partners on security preparedness, prevention, and response in line with HAS annual training plan and related policies. Training(s) may include SOPs; Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; and Communications.Humanitarian Access Management
Ensure humanitarian access approaches are adaptable to local context and include overarching (measurable) community engagement components. Engage and encourage interlocutors working with IRC staff and programs, ensuring unobstructed, safe, and secure continuation of IRC activities. Promote and coordinate the integration of access approaches into program development to ensure the safe and secure implementation of activities.Other Key responsibilities:
· Implement security policies, protocols, and procedures with HASC support.
· Train and supervise compound security guards.
· Attend meetings with other INGO focal points or/and PG to determine operational needs.
· Review reports on incidents and breaches.
· Collaborate daily with field staff/management to ensure that the daily operations meet operational requirements.
Minimum Qualifications:
REQUIREMENTS: (Qualifications, Skills and Abilities):
Tertiary studies or equivalent experience in political science, humanitarian affairs, security, or other relevant areas. 3 years' experience from which 2 years are in a similar level in humanitarian access, risk reduction or relevant field, with NGO experience preferred. Familiarity with collaborating with regulatory bodies and external parties and adeptness in networking and cultivating relationships. Understanding of humanitarian principles, risk management, and access challenges. Capability and background in operating within a flexible, constantly evolving, and intricate security setting. Ability to work with people of different backgrounds and identities. Excellent analytical skills. Proficiency in English, both written and verbal. Strong interpersonal skills, including capacities to engage with non-governmental actors.Soft Skills and desirable Competencies:
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). Any Safety or Security Training Certificate. Adults Lifelong Learning Trainer Certificate. First aid training certificates.Language Skills: Fluence in English and Arabic to communicate clearly and effectively.
Computer Skill: MS Office – Very good MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook.
Working Environment: Based on the West Coast, support to other field offices is required.
Professional Standards: 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, and Anti-Retaliation.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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.
Commitment to Client Responsiveness: By committing to Client-Centered Programming, at the IRC Yemen, we place the people we serve - our clients - at the center of our programming and services. The IRC Yemen Staff have an important role to play in supporting the implementation of client-responsive programming through raising awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and how to use them including the response processes, access, and eligibility to services, and contribute to building an institutional culture that prompts staff to listen to clients.
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.