Health & Safety Security Officer (PIU)

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services-United Staff Conference of Catholic Bishops “CRS” is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

The Senior Health, Safety and Security Officer (HSS-SO) will work closely with staff promoting staff Health, Safety and security and providing staff movement support in a collaboration with the Country HSS Manager in ensuring Safety, access and timely program support for the Country Program, the HSS-SO will assist in managing safety and liaison activities in based duty station office and Darfur Program field locations - in support of the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. The HSS-SO will promote and ensure staff knowledge and compliance with the Project area Standard Operation Procedures that is in line with CRS Country Field Security Plan and is integrated into Global Safety and Security policies and procedures.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and monitor day-to-day operations areas safety and security to ensure timely HSS support are on place with high-quality in an efficient manner.

• Assist the HSS Manager to support the project in monitoring, maintaining, and implementing of project office standard operating procedures (SOPs) in line with Country Field Security Plan ensuring project safety and security risks are addressed to the safe implementation of program activities.

• Ensure the project office standard operating procedures (SOPs) is reviewed when there is a change in the security situation.

• Support the HSS Manager to maintain the Country Field security Plan with the relocation and evacuation plan by liaison with the relevant authorities and INGOs.

• Support staff field movements to/from the duty station with tracking access, operations and monitoring of staff security situation.

• Liaise with the State Security Focal Point in reviewing the security situation, Identifying and help address challenges that affect the safe program delivery.

• Conduct new operation areas security surveys and assist the project in implementing field security management process.

• Conduct security assessment for the offices and any international staff accommodations and provide report to the HSS Manger.

• Support HSSM in implementing the security risk management process, including conducting security risk assessments to support all activities undertaken by the project and as directed.

• Track progress and closure of HSS corrective action plan based on the assessment conducted by the HSS Team and/or recommended by the Regional/HQ Safety-Security Advisors

• Conduct in-country security briefings for new hires and visitors within 24 hours of arrival. Provide regular (at least monthly during all staff meeting) SS briefing to all/field staff to keep updated and timely SS awareness.

• liaise with the third part security service providers ensuring adherence to their scope of work.

• Assist in administering the security service provider payment and monthly service performance evaluation.

• Monitor the local security situation and development via various communication mediums, including electronic, print, radio, and television in each state that CRS is operating or plan to operate and report to HSS Manager.

• Ensure safety and security incidents are reported per CRS Global security incident online system.

• Attend security network meetings Participate in the government or NGO security forums and report back to the HSS Manager and liaise with a network of knowledgeable security providers, government and client counterparts, other donor security counterparts, and other local security stakeholders to share relevant security information, maintain situational awareness, and establish potential resources for emergency assistance.

• Maintain an active communication tree with updating staff location and their status regularly regarding safety and security situation and issues then advise accordingly. Conduct regular phone tree testing and provide update instructions to ensure the efficiency of the security communication protocol.

• Provide local security alerts to project staff and be prepared to assist the project in responding to an incident or crisis.

• Assist in implementing safety and security training ensuring staff compliance, and participate in security training conducted by the HSS Country, Regional and Global Unit. Coordinate with the HSS Manager to ensure the Country program compliance with the mandatory HSS training requirements.

• Help ensure staff have access to relevant information, training, and safety materials and equipment to ensure a safe and sound work environment. Create an online HSS folder and library with viewing right access to all staff to keep them updated and aware of HSS activities, actions and instructions.

• Map each CRS office’s location and accommodations in Sudan including the GPS coordinates and shared in regularly updates with HSS Manager.

• Establish and maintain effective liaison with local actors and other relevant organizations. Maintain effective and close communication channels with security authorities and other interlocutors in Sudan.

• Represent CRS at safety/security meetings, contributing to close collaboration with peer agencies around common safety and security management priorities.

• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Required Languages:

• Fluent in both written and spoken English and Arabic.

Required Qualifications, Sills and Experience

• Minimum of two years work experience in a security advisor / manager role in an international humanitarian organization, UN, or related international development organization.

• Formal technical training(s) or professional certifications in security, safety and/or risk management.

• Proven experience of managing security processes, to include journey management / staff movement controls.

• Proven experience in conducting security assessments of locations, buildings, etc.

• Experience in writing security plans and procedures.

• Ability to conduct analysis of the security situation to enable decision making.

• Demonstrated understanding of humanitarian standards and management best practices.

• Ability to work in a high-stress environment.

• Ability to train and convey information to non-security personnel.

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills.

• Ability to build strong relationships with CRS staff and community members.

• Proficiency in MS Office

• Must be able to work without close supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines under pressure

Preferred Experience.

• Demonstrated experience as a trainer – preferably with training / teaching qualifications.

• First-aid / medic qualifications.

• Project management.

• Management of a guard force.

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in or equivalent in discipline related to security management, international studies Administration, Government Liaison, and Program Support experience or another relevant field.

Travel : 30 % between Gedaref, Port Sudan and Darfur.

Female Team members are highly encouraged to apply.