Humanitarian Access & Security Coordinator (Dept Head)

International Rescue Committee

Scope of work
The Humanitarian Access & Security Coordinator (HAS Co) reports directly to the Country Director oPt, has a technical reporting line to the Emergency Safety & Security Senior Coordinator (ESSS Co - ERT), and leads the Humanitarian Access & Security Department for the oPt Country Program while technically supporting Humanitarian Access & Security staff members at field level. The HAS Co is fully part of the SMT (Senior Management Team). In collaboration with key programs and operations colleagues in oPt, they will strive to safely enable the delivery of essential services to clients in oPt. They will implement humanitarian access and security management systems and protocols in line with humanitarian principles, IRC Standards and Requirements, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and IRC's strategy. This role is expected to be able to travel to all field locations (i.e. Jordan, Gaza, West Bank, Israel) in order to provide the most precise technical support possible.
Travel: must be willing to travel 50% of time between Gaza & Ramallah

Major Responsibilities
Safety & Security Management
Provide technical support to country management on all policies, procedures, guidelines, strategies, and planning for staff safety, operational security, and program continuity.
Provide technical support to field management on all policies, procedures, guidelines, strategies, and planning for staff safety, operational security, and program continuity.
Evaluate, review, and update country program security management plans regularly. Reference and ensure compliance with the IRC Security Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes.
Evaluate and review field sites security management plans regularly. Refence and ensure compliance with IRC Security Management Framework withing the Field SMP and all annexes.
Work with key stakeholders to develop, consolidate, and implement operating procedures and contingency plans at field and country program level.
Conduct, and/or support, 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 and implement the best possible solutions for using communications equipment, including proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment.
Develop and maintain a network of IRC Security Focal Points at each field office and program site, enhancing gender balance.
Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
Ensure safety and security protocols, reporting mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles, and background and are sensitive to local contexts.
Work closely with IRC field management teams to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately. Ensure that final incident reports are provided when IRC is closing the case.
Monitor the operating environment in the areas of intervention, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities and recommend possible responses.
Support field offices as required through field visits, monitoring visits and continuous engagement with field office staff.
Review the Country Program S&S Department Strategy in coordination with the ESSS Co and the SMT.
As a key Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) member, provide sustained support to operational teams and management during an incident.
Humanitarian Access Management
Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites and include overarching community engagement components.
Develop and review humanitarian access strategies and approaches that take into account IRC s partners as well as potential bilateral impact of engaging with certain stakeholders due to conflict dynamics
In line with humanitarian principles, develop ongoing relationships with appropriate local authorities and other key stakeholders, encouraging collaboration with IRC to ensure that staff and programs are safe and with permission to continue humanitarian activities.
Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in all areas of operation are known and accepted.
Provide technical input and advice on assessments to consider IRC programming in new geographic locations.
Lead on liaison and coordination, with all key stakeholders as it relates to regular coordination of movements in/out of Gaza as well as any other civil-military coordination elements required by the context.
Liaise and coordinate with relevant security actors, e.g., NGO security staff, security forces, local community stakeholders, and local authorities.
Training and Capacity Building
Develop, review and deliver appropriate training and capacity-strengthening opportunities to IRC and IRC partners.

Requirements
At least 5 years experience in High-Risk and Complex environments, with prefered 2 years experience working with NGOs in international humanitarian programs but similar experience in the private sector will be considered all as Security or Humanitarian Access staff. Experience in delivering training; ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
Proven management experience, including people and projects.
Highly skilled in organizing and coordinating large-scale, fast-paced, responsive field programs.
Solid ability to provide team-building, coaching, and development for staff and encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation.
Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders.