Safety & Security Coordinator (For Filipino Nationals Only)

POSITION: Safety & Security Coordinator

BASE LOCATION: Country Office – Cotabato City, Philippines

REPORTING TO: Country Director

Job Purpose:

The Safety & Security coordinator will work closely with IRPh team to carry out safety and security assessment, make recommendations and provide support for the implementation of IRW in Philippines program in the country. To help in devising Safety & Security Policy and Standards within country programs and help drive systemic change in the quality of safety and security management in effective and efficient manner.

About Islamic Relief Worldwide Philippines:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international relief and development organization founded in the UK in 1984 that envisages a caring world where people unite to respond to the suffering of others, empowering them to fulfill their potential. Working in over 34 countries, it promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease, irrespective of their race, religion, gender and political affiliations. IRW also responds to disasters and emergencies, helping people in crisis by providing them immediate relief and support in rehabilitation.

Islamic Relief started operations in Philippines in 2013 in order to respond to Typhoon Yolanda in collaboration with the Government and UN/NGOs/private organizations. Islamic Relief moved its Country Office to Cotabato City (Mindanao) during 2017 to support local communities in case of disasters and help in efforts of poverty alleviation and overcoming illiteracy by working with government, civil society organisations, UN agencies and I/NGOs.

Key Accountabilities:

The job holder is accountable for fulfilling his/her roles and responsibilities in line with Islamic values and principles of fairness, humanity, honesty, respect and fair treatment of his/her colleagues and staff.

Ensure the safety, security, and integrity of IRW staff, assets, premises, and programs in country, in particular by constantly monitoring and anticipating security risk, by designing and enforcing context specific risk mitigation rules and procedures, by ensuring MOSS (Minimum Operating Security Standard) compliance in all IRW premises, by preparing and updating contingency and evacuation plans and by providing all IRW staff with appropriate security training.

Job Description:

1. Department Management

• Assist the IR Country Director in implementing Security Policy, Security Plan, SOPs, Contingency plan.
• Advice and support management and all staff regarding the security threat information where the office needs to enforce mitigation measure to ensure staff remain safe from potential harm.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection of qualified national security field staff; recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with the IRW Country Director
• Supervise and mentor national security officers, focal points, guards and drivers
• Make frequent site visits to IR premises to carry out performance assessments and provide constant support to the security team
• Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff

2. Context & Risk Analysis

• Develop and regularly update the country security profile (with regards to the socio-economic, political and/or military situation in country, the country criminality profile, the nature of ongoing conflicts or crises climatic & seismic hazards and health risks,)
• Follow-up on major country events and developments
• Analyse and locate key local stakeholders
• Develop security trend analysis
• Ensure internal incident tracking system is utilized properly: create an security incident database and perform incident mapping and analysis
• Fill in and regularly update the Risk Analysis Matrix (threat, likelihood, impact, level of vulnerability, level of risk)
• Carry out security assessments of new IR areas of intervention or areas under controllable phase.

3. Country Security Plans, SOPs and Contingency Plans

• Draft and regularly update the Country Security Plan (CSP) for validation by the Country Director and endorsement by HQ
• Recommend changes in the Country Security Plan to Country Director and HQ Security department
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adapted to the local context
• Draft and regularly update evacuation and contingency plans in capital and support Area Coordinators in developing Area evacuation and contingency plans.
• Ensure preparedness to evacuation and contingencies (check contingency kits, first aid kits etc.).
• Design and drill a security communication tree (warden system), emergency radio network, and provisioning of emergency supplies for field personnel.

4. Security Information Management

• Collect day-to-day security updates and intelligence information from relevant agencies (INSO, media, government authorities etc.) and disseminate to staff.
• Collect OSINT information from all relevant sources and key share key and hot information with senior management and all staff for their safety and security.
• Keep a data base of security incidents country wide and IRW operational area

5. Daily Security Management

• Coordinate and monitor security activities to ensure that safety and security policies and procedures are implemented
• Ensure that all field staff are fully cognizant of prevailing security threats and fully advised on means to reduce their vulnerability to those threats
• Monitor the security preparedness of country staff and enforce staff compliance with internal security rules and SOPs, ensuring they are communicated to all staff and understood
• Set up and control the implementation of mitigation measures and security rules according to the local context
• Ensure compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and develop action plans for security upgrade
• Carry out security assessments of new IR facilities, ensure a standard level of facilities protection, and supervise guards.
• Ensure missions have adapted communication means, and ensure maintenance to support the Logistic team in Country. Ensure constant update of the emergency contact list and timely issuance of ID cards.
• Ensure a proper level of preparation before movement on the field, ensure transportation means are adapted, ensure a good fleet maintenance, and set movement rules which are adapted to the local context to support the Logistic team in Country. Ensure operational follow-up of movements.
• Ensure logistics follow a servicing and maintenance schedule for vehicles
• Spearhead security assessment missions prior to IR staff deployment to a new area and ensure minimum security standards are in place before their installation.

6. Crisis Management

• Adapt crisis management protocols to the local situation
• Act as a key member of the Crisis Management Team so that safety policies and procedures are implemented

7. Reporting

• Ensure weekly/monthly security reports are completed and sent to HQ, providing timely updates of all situational and security developments including investigation of security incidents
• Produce real-time incidents report (Using IRW Form)
• Send updated security reports on a monthly basis to the Country Director and HQ Security Department if applicable.

8. Training and Briefing

• Organize and conduct security trainings for guards and drivers and conduct drills and exercises for awareness.
• Conduct security briefing for each new international staff arriving in country.
• Design security training modules for Country Director’s approval and HQ endorsement.
• Determine training needs for the security staff
• Train national staff to increase their awareness and sense of responsibilities
• Conduct any staff security training that is warranted (HEAT, training to drivers and guards, evacuation drills, fire safety etc.).
• Carry out investigations and capture lessons learned to be incorporated into future staff trainings

9. Develop and maintain a security network

• Actively participate in Weekly and Monthly Coordination Meetings with INSO
• Create an information network in the country, identifying key informants
• Build strong professional relationships with UN agencies, local authorities, other NGO’s (local and international), and all relevant stakeholders

10. External meetings

• Attend INSO, UNDSS and other security meetings and arrange weekly/ bi-weekly security briefing for the staff in coordination of HQ security focal point.
• Attend security coordination meetings and update Country Director and HQ on current security issues
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the IRW Code of Conduct, values and policies with regard to internal and external stakeholders.

11. Warden

• Prepare and maintain a wardens system for national and international staff to ensure emergency communication is circulated as smoothly as possible and to also have the capability to conduct staff headcount after official hours and during weekends should a situation arise.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 Years of experience in working with I/NGOs or international organisations in security management
• Skilled in the use of all computer applications
• Excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm to learn
• Ability to develop and implement successful training sessions
• Experience of liaising and negotiating with state and non state actors
• Full understanding of the security context in Philippines
• Professional studies / courses in safety and security from recognized institutions will be and added advantage

Skills:

• Excellent report writing skills
• Strong knowledge of safety and security management
• Ability to plan and organize work independently with minimal supervision paying attention to detail and completing the planned tasks in timely manner
• Supervisory and managerial skills with proven ability to manae a demanding workload
• Fluent in both English and Tagalog (written and spoken)
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and written / verbal communication skills