[Vacancy] Humanitarian Access and Safety Advisor (HASA) at Medecins Du Monde

Main Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the General Coordinator, the Humanitarian Access and Safety Advisor (HASA) in Maiduguri will be responsible to develop and follow up a context analysis mechanism, adapting and implementing a safety framework, setting up and maintaining a network of relations with authorities, other NGOs and field-level focal points, to proceed for assessment of new areas of intervention, request of access authorizations, to report and to anticipate security-related events, in accordance to national and MdM internal procedures, under a confidentiality based approach.

Activities Description:

Security management

• Monitor the security situation in Nigeria, conduct risk assessments, participate in enforcing security and safety procedures, and provide sound and timely advice to staff and management on safety and security matters.
• Maintain contacts with local, and national authorities, and international state, and non-state actors by compiling threat analysis, incident reports, and routine security reports.
•  Liaise and coordinate timely and efficiently with the General Coordinator and the HQ Security Advisor regarding security incidents, threats, or deficiencies that potentially could affect operations: (to be uploaded on SyRIL and share point).
• Ensure the implementation of safety, security policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as detailed by the HQ Security Advisor.
• Create a weekly situation report as per MDM’s SOP, including a brief analysis of the security situation, and share it with the General coordinator.
• Design and practice emergency systems, and emergency communications and follow up on the saferoom update for Damboa and Maiduguri offices.
• Conduct and submit to the General Coordinator the site Risk Assessments for locations regularly visited by Médecins du Monde staff, including field locations.
• Maintain the validity of emergency & contingency protocols based on the applicable level as prescribed in the National Security Plan.
• Follow up monthly on the minimum operational security standards and the minimum operational residential security standards (MOSS and MORSS) for both Damboa and Maiduguri offices and Guest Houses.
• Ensure that communication protocols and CCTV camera systems are implemented, and up to date.
• Work with the logistics department on defining the needs, installation, and maintenance of telecommunication equipment
• Liaise with other humanitarian and emergency actors as well as international and national governments on safety and security matters.
• Participate in the inter-agency meeting from INSO, UNDSS, UNOCHA, and other national security forums in Maiduguri.
• Support the general coordinator on crisis management and decision-making process.
• Ensure full safety and security briefings and debriefings to team members and visitors
• Identify safety and security training needs for the team members, conduct training and capacity-building actions

Liaison with Authorities and Humanitarian Actors

• Develop, maintain, and establish effective communication and good relationship with authorities and other humanitarian actors in Maiduguri MMC in order to proceed with: Facilitating visits of MDM staff with authorities, and obtaining access authorization for current and potential intervention areas
• Keep informed the General Coordinator timely of any information concerning changes in the procedures in the context.
• Participate in any scheduled technical and coordination meetings when needed especially the field-level civil-military coordination meetings
• To serve as an interlocutor with security forces in the field
• Network and liaison with INSO, UNDSS, NGOs, authorities, and other key stakeholders on security, to improve security monitoring and analysis

Assessment:

• Participate in developing SOP, validation procedures, and briefing prior to field trips to new and/or sensitive areas in Maiduguri MMC.
• Develop and update a focal points database for info collection on a permanent basis.
• Carry out a thorough analysis of the security situation in the potential areas of intervention and provide valuable information and recommendations to the general coordinator
• Identify relevant actors in the area and get involved in the actors mapping, including analysis of relationships and dynamics between different actors and impact on MDM intervention.

Project implementation:

• HASA is the person in charge to answer authority on non-technical questions, (example in check points)
• He is in charge to introduce the MDM team to people and to explain about MDM, its presence, and its activities. etc.
• Identify possible places for team hibernation in the field and advise on the adaptation of the security pack based on new needs and context factors.

Others:

• Be flexible in performing his duties
• Inform immediately the General Coordinator in case of any security problems.
• Participate in a proactive way in MdM internal meetings that may be requested

Essential Qualification:

• University degree in social sciences or other related fields; certification in security management course is an asset
• Very good research and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel is desired
• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including the ability to prepare reports, make presentations
• Full command in writing, reading, and speaking of English, Hausa, and Kanuri
• Good intuition skill is desired
• Experience in working effectively in complex security environments
• Experienced and knowledgeable in security/safety-related subjects, threat/risk assessment, strong representation and negotiating skills, security management, networking, and personal and organizational security awareness
• Be proactive in improving skills by keeping up to date with new / latest development in safety and security operations procedures