The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.Background/Context:  The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery.  Our longstanding experience in the country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, in order to respond to the new realities, with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also It plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts.

 

Job overview:The Senior Humanitarian Access & Security Coordinator (Sr. HASC) is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), reporting to the Syria Country Director and is responsible for leading the Humanitarian Access & Security Team for the Syria Country Program, with a technical line of support and oversight from the Regional Safety and Security Director. The Senior Humanitarian Access & Security  Coordinator ensures that IRC’s security policies and procedures are contextually appropriate, well-communicated, and effectively implemented. They work in close coordination with program teams to advise on humanitarian access issues and facilitate safe and principled program delivery.They analyze security trends, advise senior leadership, update security risk assessments, implement security management plans, and manage a team of safety and security professionals across the country. The role includes streamlining humanitarian access strategies in line with IRC’s strategic objectives, humanitarian principles, and operational needs.The Senior Humanitarian Access & Security Coordinator leads the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), contingency plans, and access frameworks tailored to the evolving context. They also provide expert advice and support to IRC staff on access negotiations and mediation,  incident management, and staff safety.This position requires frequent and extensive travel throughout the country.

 

Responsibilities: Safety and Security Risk Management • Provide technical support to the SMT on all policies, procedures, guidelines, and planning for staff safety, operational security, and program continuity in Syria.• Regularly evaluate, review, and update risk assessments and security management plans, including all relevant contingency plans and SOPs.• Evaluate, review, and update the relocation, hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices.• Work with key stakeholders including the SMT and Senior Field Managers to develop, consolidate, and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.• Ensure compliance with the IRC’s Security Minimum Standards and implement corrective actions to improve compliance as needed. • Develop and maintain a network of IRC Security Focal Points at each field office and program site.• Conduct risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences. Follow-up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with site 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 and implement the best possible solutions for the use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff, including proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment.• Ensure safety and security protocol, reporting mechanisms, and capacity building initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles, and background, and are sensitive to local contexts.• Work with relevant departments to ensure security budgets and staffing levels are commensurate to the risk levels in each location. • Maintain a high level of preparedness in anticipation of rapid contextual changes that could impact operations and program delivery. • Contribute to the development of country emergency preparedness plans.• Develop and maintain Critical Incident Management Plans, and conduct annual tabletop exercises for management and field staff to ensure individuals know their roles and responsibilities. 

 

Humanitarian Access Management • Facilitate the development and implementation of a comprehensive humanitarian access strategy and framework tailored to local contexts across Syria.• Support Security Focal Points (SFPs) and program teams in designing access strategies for opening new projects, including actor mapping, risk analysis, and engagement strategies.• Provide technical input and advice for assessments to inform new IRC program opportunities in new geographic areas and review access constraints in existing ones.• Contribute to the development and implementation of guidelines for engagement with state and non-state actors, in line with IRC policies, humanitarian principles, and duty of care standards.• Support the SMT in evaluating access-related risks and opportunities for IRC interventions across Syria.• Promote and oversee principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant stakeholders to ensure safe and continued access for IRC programs.• Develop and maintain relationships with local authorities, community representatives, and other relevant actors to strengthen acceptance and operational presence.• Enhance IRC’s image and community acceptance by guiding inclusive visibility and communication strategies.• Compile and submit regular reports on access trends, incidents, and engagement outcomes across the country.• Encourage collaboration with external stakeholders to uphold staff safety and facilitate continued humanitarian activities. Context Monitoring and Reporting• Monitor the operating environment across all IRC areas of operation to identify emerging threats, assess organizational vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures or corrective actions.• Compile and submit regular reports on humanitarian access, security incidents, and environmental trends, including  reports required by the country program, regional office, and donors.• Submit daily contextual updates to the SMT and relevant field and program management staff, as needed.• Ensure all security incidents are immediately notified to the Country Director and the Regional Safety & Security Director. • Ensure all security incidents are reported through the IRC’s online system within 48 hours of the incident occurring. • Contribute to macro- and local-level conflict sensitivity analysis to inform programmatic risk and opportunity management.• Support the Regional Humanitarian Context Analyst to produce analytical reports on key developments in Syria.  Networking and Liaison• Maintain a network of IRC security focal points in the country program, as well as external professional contacts and counterparts.• Establish relationships with all functions within the IRC to ensure smooth communication and coordination for the safe implementation of programs. • Provide timely feedback on questions and technical assistance requests from country program team members.• Identify, create, and maintain a network with NGO/UN and other humanitarian access and security specialists.• Liaise with peers and attend meetings at relevant humanitarian fora, e.g., NGO Security Focal Points, INSO, NGO Forums, etc.• Engage with partner organizations to share capacity, capability, and experience pertaining to humanitarian access and security.  Training and Capacity Building• Develop and implement strategies to enhance security culture within the country program. • Ensure all staff are aware of prevailing security threats, report noticeable changes in the threats and receive timely advice on reducing their vulnerability to those threats. • Develop a capacity building plan for the country program based on the identified risks to staff safety and program implementation. • Provide regular training for IRC staff including on Safety & Security Risk Management and Incident Management & Reporting.• Liaise with partners to assess capacity-building needs and provide advice and support where feasible and necessary.• Work with relevant internal focal points to develop and review the information and onboarding package for new hires and visitors. Compliance• Partner with the Compliance and Risk Management Coordinator to cultivate an ethical and compliant working culture within the Syria Country Program. Drive initiatives to address operational challenges by implementing efficient solutions that comply with IRC policies and donor regulations, mitigate risks, and align with the Syria CP strategic objectives.• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), take ownership of risk mitigation measures relevant to HAS , and ensure the implementation of recommendations provided by the Compliance and Risk Management Department Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.• Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-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.• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis .• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths. • As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations. Job Requirements:Education & Work Experience:• 10 years of experience, including substantial non-profit or NGO work within international humanitarian assistance programs, with proven ability to plan, organize, and manage security operations in high-risk field settings.• A university degree in Security Risk Management, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field is advantageous.• Strong experience as a trainer, with the ability to design, deliver, and facilitate learning for diverse audiences.• Prior experience in the region is strongly preferred Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:• Commitment to IRC's mission, vision, values, and the IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.• Demonstrated understanding of humanitarian principles and sector-specific practices relevant to field operations.• Sound understanding of local context, including dynamics and access limitations related to gender, disability, religion, cultural traditions, and social norms.• Knowledge of communication technologies (e.g., satellite communications, mobile networks) is an asset.• Proven experience as a professional and dependable manager, including staff and project management.• Strong situational and contextual awareness, with the ability to recognize opportunities and risks.• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and build capacity within teams, while fostering collaboration across functions.• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively represent IRC in external forums and stakeholder engagements.• Strong negotiation and mediation skills, with demonstrated experience in conflict resolution.• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively to senior internal and external audiences.• Experience working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including local and international NGOs, government authorities, and community actors, with a high level of cultural sensitivity and diplomacy.• Proven ability to design and facilitate training for staff and partners, supporting capacity-building and adaptability to evolving program needs Language/Travel: • English and Arabic are required• Travel: 40%, primarily within Syria Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Country Director  Position directly supervises:  HAS Manager, HAS Officers, Liaison Manager Key Internal Contacts: SMT members, Country Leadership Team, Field Management Team, Regional Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator, and Regional Context AnalystKey External Contacts: Partners, donors, peer humanitarian agencies, training providers, specialized networks, and forums.  

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.