Security and Safety Officer

About IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Job Summary

The Security and Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring that effective security planning is conducted and that sound security management structures are established within the IFRC Afghanistan Country Delegation. The Security Officer ensures the effective implementation of and institutional compliance with security plans. The plans and responses are guided by effective, accurate, relevant and multi-sourced situational monitoring, recent quality security management training and competence in incident data mapping and analysis. The Security Officer also maintains working relationships with his/her counterparts in other organizations and key players present in the operational area.

The Security Officer is also responsible for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the organization. He / She is responsible for ensuring the utmost security of the country office staff and delegates, by providing quality advice to the delegates and national staff and through the management of watchmen ensures safe and secure access within IFRC property.

The Security and Safety Officer works closely with the ARCS and ICRC to support the ongoing development of the ARCS security systems.

Duties & Responsibilities

Security assessments, planning and training:

• Responsible for safety and security related matters in Afghanistan.
• Ensure the implementation of the IFRC Minimum Security Requirements (MSR) and all relevant Federation Security Manuals and Training. Prepares a checklist of all MSR and maintains a status update on compliance or issues to be addressed.
• Ensures the Afghanistan CD has updated security plans and that all staff comply with these.
• Ensures all staff is properly trained on security plan and that security procedures are understood, respected and applied by staff
• Analyses the security environment in Afghanistan, identifies threats and risks with the aim to provide guidance and advice to the management on measures to be taken.
• Undertake regular field trips in order to monitor and assess the operational areas and field offices as required.
• Keeps track of all issues pertaining to the security condition in the country, by following the news, tracing rumours in the city and through other sources, on a daily basis.
• Conducts daily monitoring of events, incidents and near-misses and assesses risks.
• Conducts or participates in Security related trainings inside or outside the Federation
• Ensure all safety and security related matters are effectively and efficiently assessed, resolved, recorded and disseminated.

Security communication:

• Is the first point of contact for the Head of Country Delegation during incidents in Afghanistan. 
• Ensures a continuous contact with HoD (or Acting) and Regional Security coordinator during any incident.
• Reports to HoD (or Acting) relevant security issues in daily basis as they occur and gives advice and recommendations on the office’s security regulations and measures to be taken.
• In consultation with HoD (or Acting) provides the information for green light for any exceptional expatriate movements within Kabul.
• Tracks all security incidents and electronically updates information maps (such as, but not limited to ARCS incidents, NGO incidents, incidents in Kabul and in the areas of IFRC field offices.
• Prepares and shares security related information for staff updates at office meetings, or for immediate incidents by SMS or by email.
• Informs HoD (or Acting) and as instructed updates Administration/HR department in case of any incident/concerns related office property, assets and staff’s that the staff Code of Conduct (CoC) has been breached.
• Responsible for comprehensive security briefings of all new delegates and visitors ensuring they are familiar with the IFRC regulations, responses in the event of security incidents (attacks, fire, earthquake, etc) and the protocols for use of radio, phones and safe rooms in the residence and shared guest house.  
• Ensures guards, drivers and radio operators are updated on all safety/security procedures and movement restrictions in Kabul.

Lateral relationships:

• Ensures a very close liaison with the Head Driver to ensure relevant daily security information to drivers, directly or through the head driver as required. 
• In very close collaboration with Head Driver ensures daily monitoring and assessment of routes for staff movements in the city.
• Attends security meetings held by ICRC, INSO, UNDSS, and government security related departments. Provides a verbal or written update to the HoD (or Acting).
• Maintains a strong relation with ARCS through ARCS security focal point and shares all necessary security related information with each other. Supports the development of the ARCS security management system as requested and approved by HoD (or Acting).
• Maintains a strong relationship, co-ordination and cooperation with ICRC. Attends the Movement Security and Access Working Group Meetings.
• Develops a relationship with the security officers of other international organisations. 

Passive security:

• Ensures all measures are in place for the safety and security of the Office ’s premises, such as offices, residences, warehouses, other asset and inventory.
• Ensures that all offices and other premises are securely locked outside of working hours
• Ensures that the office and residential safe rooms have all the required items for longer hibernation.
• Ensures that all fire-fighting equipment, including fire extinguishers are checked, not expired and that staff is trained to use this equipment
• Ensures all passive security measures around all relevant premises are in place and regularly check these for quality and repairs.

Management & Supervision:

• Prepare the duty rosters for all watchmen/drivers on a monthly basis and post these at the designated places in the offices, residences and warehouse.
• Ensures the presence of all watchmendrivers at their duty location by physically checking daily and does unexpected evening checks
• Reports security breaches and concerns to the HoD (or Acting).

Reporting:

• Immediately reports any security incident in Afghanistan or involving an I/NGO in the country to HoD (or Acting).
• Prepares weekly, quarterly security reports including mapping for Regional Security Coordinator and Geneva Security Unit
• Prepares maps of security incidents and electronically updates information maps (such as, but not limited to incidents in Kabul and in IFRC field offices, ARCS incidents, NGO incidents).
• Ensures that all relevant incident reports are written, reviewed by HoD (or Acting) and filed
• Reports any violation of the security regulations by the staff immediately to HoD (or Acting) including non-permitted movements
• Reports on the performance of watchmen/drivers and advises the HoD (or Acting) on measures to be taken, additional training required and recommendations to be made on those persons.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.  
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Job Requirements

Education:

• A relevant education at minimum Bachelors level
• Successfully completed the Stay Safe e-learning courses (basic and Managers)

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience in a similar role preferably with an INGO/NGO/UN/Military
• Field experience in humanitarian security work
• Experience working with the military, security agencies and law enforcement agencies (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Language:

• Good communication skills
• Strong analytical skills in political, socioeconomics and security areas
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Good stress management skills
• Self supporting in computers [Windows, Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.]
• Fluently spoken and written English, Dari and Pashto
• Knowledge of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) (Preferred)

Competencies

• Core Competencies: Communications, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust.
• Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Leadership, Empowering Others
• Values: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability

Submission Guideline

Interested candidates who meet job requirements are to submit their resume.

Functional Area

Security/Safety

Security & Risk Management

Personal Safety

Countries

Submission Email

hr.afghanistan@ifrc.org

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