Security and Access officer

[Sinjar,Iraq ]

CONTEXT:

MdM has been working in Iraq since the 1990s. During its first mission in the country, MdM was providing general and specialized medical services (surgery, training programs for traditional birth attendants). Since then MdM had several programs which included paediatric surgery, contributing to the renewal of techniques and knowledge of surgical, medical and paramedical staff in 1997, emergency medical activities in 2002, building local capacity on basic emergency healthcare services at community level in 2006. From 2009 to 2011, MdM supported an Iraqi NGO in the implementation of a program aimed at improving the skills of midwives and traditional birth attendants in accordance with recognized international standards.

In 2014, with the arrival of ISIL, MdM started to provide immediate healthcare support through curative and preventive care including MHPSS services to IDPs and host communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). Later, MdM expanded its support to the most vulnerable IDPs and host communities outside of the KR-I region, in Kirkuk Governorate in July 2015, and in Ninewa Governorate in April 2016. Since 2018, MdM has developed a program where activities are gradually handed over to the MoH.

The current program focuses on supporting the local health authorities in providing quality PHC services (including MHPSS and GBV response) and continue to strengthen the capacities of local public health authorities in Dohuk, Kirkuk and Ninewa governorates, to provide quality care and respond to  health needs of IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities.

This includes:

• A combination of direct and complementary services, especially related to general health, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), while contributing to the health system strengthening through capacity building at DOH level
• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS),
• Gender based violence (GBV) integrated within the PHCC general health services, SRH and MHPSS services
• As a cross cutting approach MdM is planning to develop a community health based (CHB) approach to ensure community participation, while empowering individuals.

 

In 2020, with the start of the pandemic of COVID 19, MDM Iraq adjusted its program activities, to respond to the immediate needs of the most vulnerable populations due to COVID-19 outbreak while extending its support to additional areas of intervention. The COVID-19 activities targeted the DoH staff at the PHC level and surrounding communities with the aim to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

 

Taking the current context of Iraq into consideration the MdM Iraq team is reviewing the strategy and expects 2021 to be a transition year. While the current projects are ongoing in 2021 MdM Iraq aims to transition from a humanitarian approach to a more development approach, from the health promotion perspective. While the strategy is still being finetuned, MdM Iraq has identified four main pillars to guide the strategy between 2021-2023: 1. Community Health Based Approach, 2. Capacity-building at the DoH level, 3. Partnership with local NGOs and 4. Advocacy. The aim is to strengthen the resilience and capacity of the local community. MDM Iraq also aims to develop projects together in partnership with the local community aiming at a sustainable, effective and innovative change building on the capacities of an empowered community supporting future exit.

JOB TITLE:  Security and Access Officer

Iraq mission / Sinjar

Updated: 22/08/2021

Main responsibilities 

Under the supervision of the Field Coordinator, and in coordination with Country Security and Access Manager at coordination level, the Security and Access Officer at base level will be responsible for the following main activities:

• Monitor on daily basis the security context in the area of MdM operations in relation
• Support, implement and monitor the implementation of the security pack in all operational sites.
• Set up and maintain a network of relations with authorities, other NGOs and field-level focal points.
• Support in assessment of new areas of intervention,
• Update and request all access letters and authorizations needed.
• Report and anticipate security-related events, in accordance to national and MdM internal procedures, under a confidentiality based approach.

 

 

Working relations 

The Security and Access Officer reports directly to Field Coordinator and receives technical support from Country Security and Access Manager at coordination level.

 

 

S/he works closely with the Field Office-Sinjar team which includes:

• Field Coordinator
• Admin/Finance Officer
• MHPSS team
• Medical Team
• Logistics Team
• GBV Supervisor

 

S/he directly/technically supervises:  

• NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essential Duties

 

Context analysis and Reporting

• Monitor on a daily basis the security context in the area of MdM operations in coordination with authorities, humanitarian actors (UN agencies, NGOs) and other external actors.
• Share context analysis of the base area of operation with Field Coordinator and Country Security and Access Manager.
• Build and maintain network of information sources and communication channels that allow the gathering of reliable data and information to maintain and analyze an incident reporting system.
• Collect, verify, analyze and report information that affects, or may affect, MdM operations.
• Produce weekly incident reports, including analysis based on context, incident and recommendations.
• Produce monthly security reports, including incident map and chart, and analysis based on context, incident and recommendations.
• Produce regular alerts and advisories relating to incidents and developments inside and outside of the Governorate, as required.
• Fulfil his/her tasks with a huge sense of confidentiality, some information has to be shared only with Fieldco, Country Security and Access Manager, and General Coordinator.
• Regular review and update MdM policy and safety-related guideline, contingency plans and SOPs in collaboration with FieldCo.
• Provide ad hoc briefings to newly arrived staff and expatriate visitors of the security environment and security challenges, national context and cultural and social customs.
• Provide weekly security briefing to staff at base meetings.

Security management

• Support, implement and monitor the implementation of the security pack in all operational sites.
• Support FieldCo in crisis management situations, and liaise with Erbil office as necessary.
• Conduct regular site assessments and advise on mitigation measures in case of evolution of risks faced.
• Responsible for monitoring stock and functioning of security related assets in sites; hibernation stocks, radio and communication assets, first aid and trauma kits, etc. in collaboration with Log Officer.
• Advise, assist and control the procurement of security and protective equipment.
• Provide general support and capacity building to staff about safety and security management; person safety and security training, radio communications, contingency planning, defining threat levels, etc.
• Support the Field Coordinator in security management of his area of responsibility and contact him on a daily basis to ensure information sharing.
• Ensure proper update and delivery of constant companion cards for key staffs.
• Keep track of all MdM vehicles and teams movements during working hours.
• Immediately report to Fieldco and Security Manager all breaches of safety and security procedures and all threats to MdM staff, beneficiaries, activities or assets.

Liaison with Authorities and Humanitarian Actors:

• Ensure that appropriate security clearance is in place for all staff for MdM areas of operations.
• Represent MdM in safety and security meeting with relevant national stakeholders (representatives of beneficiary/host community, local government, and local armed forces) when requested by Fieldco.
• Develop a network among relevant stakeholders, providing and regularly updating a stakeholder analysis, actor mapping and an external contact list accordingly to MdM format.
• Be the main interlocutor with security forces and armed groups in the base area of intervention.
• Hold regular meetings with NGOs and UNs safety and security focal points, as well as with relevant national stakeholders (representatives of Governorate, security forces, armed groups, check points, mukhtars, IDPs camps, etc.) on safety and security matters.
• Keep informed the FieldCo of any information concerning changes in the procedures and/or the legal context frame.

 

Assessment:

• Conduct security risk assessments of new areas, locations, premises and report to the line managers.
• Develop SOPs, validation procedures and briefing prior to field visit to new and/or sensitive areas.
• During field visits, coordinate the convoy, represent MDM in check points, and introduce the objective of the assessment, importance, and methodology if needed.
• During identification of MDM new locations of interventions, Security and Access Officer should collect information about the possible places from the different networks (i.e. Authority, community leaders, MAG, other relevant actors) and gather needed information about the location safety, access, and other relevant actors on the screen.
• Understand the social composition of the targeted communities including identification of marginalized groups, cultural norms, relationship between men and women in the community and any other social factors that can be linked to MDM intervention.

Other

• Inform immediately the Security Focal Point in case of any security problem.
• Be flexible in performing his/her duties.
• Participate in a pro-active way to MdM internal meetings (general, admin, security…).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

 

This list of activities is not exhaustive and may change depending on the situation.

Skills required:

Education

• University degree or a diploma in international cooperation / social sciences or other related field

 

Professional experience

• Training in Security and Safety sector.
• A minimum of two years of experience in working with security management in a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Proven experience of working effectively in complex and volatile contexts.
• Experience in liaising with civilian and military government authorities as well as with regional, national and international institutions preferable.
• Strong and effective communication with all type of actors and ability to develop networking
• Very good research and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports and make presentations.
• Be proactive in improving skills by keeping up to date with new/latest development in safety and security operations procedures.
• Be committed to MdM’s values as an organization and motivated by its non-statutory, not For Profit model

 

Skills and qualities required

• Minimum 2-year experience in a similar position (NGOs/private companies)
• Good analytical and writing skills
• Good knowledge on Pack Office (Outlook , Word, excel, PPT) and mapping software
• Ability to take initiative to deal with difficulties encountered in daily work
• Ability to adapt or change priorities according to the changing situation within a mission or the organization itself
• Autonomy, neutrality, hard worker

 

Required personal skills

• Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well.
• Focused on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process
• Demonstrate leadership, ownership and initiative.
• Committed to protection, safeguarding and PSEA
• Be committed to MdM’s values as an organization and motivated by its non-statutory, not For Profit model

 

Languages

• English: very good
• Kurdish very good
• Arabic: very good

 

Submit CV and Cover letter  by Email to [email protected]

including the subject:

Ref: 2021-SJR-10

LAST SUBMISSION DATE ON September 9, 2021

please make sure to send your CV in PDF/word format (other formats or links aren’t considered) and write the reference (2021-SJR-10)on the subject of your email. Only Short-Listed Applicants Will Be Contacted Reviewing the application CVs will be on a rolling basis, as such; MdM reserves the right to fill the position before the closing date of the job advertisement.