Title:Local Safety Officer (Somali national only)
Location:Baidoa
Start of Contract & Duration:1st May, 8 months, renewable
Background
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-profit organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian principles, and human rights based approach, to enhance the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promoting long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. There are 5 main program offices in Somali region, one in Yemen, one in Ethiopia and one in Kenya within the Regional Office in Nairobi. There are also nonoperational region wide initiatives, focusing on advocacy and capacity building, which are supported from the Nairobi regional office. Currently there is over 300 DRC staff in the region.
DRC works alongside the Danish Demining Group (DDG), a specialized unit within the DRC. DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. DDG has expanded its programming into armed violence reduction since 2009, working in the wider spheres of community and district safety, small arms control, peace dialogues and support for conflict management in order to ensure maximum impact for the population.
In Somalia, DRC has been implementing humanitarian activities since 2008. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC Somalia assists refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa and provides emergency assistance and livelihoods support to Somalis who are affected by conflict and drought throughout Somalia. The last 3 years have seen some growth in the Somalia program size and as the result of this, there has been an expansion in support and management functions required by the program offices in order to maintain quality program delivery and measurable accountability.
PURPOSE
The LSO will assist the Baidoa field office in developing, implementing and evaluating procedures that support the safe and efficient delivery of program activities DRC and DDG in Bay region. The position holder will be responsible for continuous monitoring and improvement of the MOSS for DRC and DDG in South Central Somalia Offices. The position holder will also liaise with the local security provider and monitor its performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Facilitate access and operations through the provision of dependable advice to staff.
· Act as the local focal point for co-ordination and security related information sharing between the relevant actors within the area of operations.
· Act as the main Safety Focal Point (SFP) for all movements to and from Baidoa office.
· Send out pre-arrival Safety information to all new arrivals visiting South Central
· Liaise with the local authorities in the areas of operation to facilitate relationship and ensure smooth implementation of DRC/DDG programmes
· Collect, analyze and report security information that affects, or may affect, DRC/DDG operations
· Provide security briefings to all DRC/DDG staff coming to Baidoa and provide daily security briefs to the DRC/DDG staff working in the Baidoa office
· Line managing the security guards who control access to the compounds and provide them with regular refresher training
· Liaise with the team leaders from the security providers armed guards who provide armed protection for the office
· Maintain the security integrity of the office and guesthouse compound
· Account for the security communications equipment (VHF, mobile and Thuraya)
· Assist the Somalia Safety Coordinator (SSC) in maintaining the SMS alert system.
· Assist the SCS in “field” Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) as required.
· Assist the SCS in all aspects of safety logistics and supplies.
· Ensure Health and Safety measures are in place and working (e.g. firefighting equipment, alarms, first aid equipment etc.)
· Monitor staff movements during the working day
· Maintain hibernation stores in the guest house and regularly replenish the stock when necessary and replace expired items
· Coordinate DRC/DDG international staff movement, such as airport pick up, drop offs and field trips etc.
· Assist the Security Manager in safety and security training conducted in the Baidoa office for the local staff
· Prepare monthly security report and weekly situation report
Reporting Arrangements
· The Local Safety Officer will work directly with DRC’s Deputy Area Manager for Baidoa and DDG’s Deputy AVR Manager for Bay and Bakool and closely collaborates/works with the Somalia Safety Coordinator on Technical issues. DRC’s Deputy Area Manager will supervise the Local Safety Officer but he will report to both DRC’s Deputy Area Manager for Baidoa and DDG’s Deputy AVR Manager for Bay and Bakool.
General
· Commitments: DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC/DDG (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
Personal Specifications
Qualities
· Principled and hard working
· Leadership skills
· Stable and robust character and a good team-player
· Good communicator
· Ability to work unsupervised
· Problem solver
Essentials
· Experience of working with NGOs and/or other international agencies as security focal point
· Proven management skills and familiar with packages, Outlook, Excel and MS Word
· Previous security related management and administrative experience
- Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humor
- Fluent in written and spoken English and Somali
- Proven commitment to accountability practices.
- Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines and ability to manage budgets
- Familiar with VHF radios and Thuraya
Desirables
· Strong background in Logistic preferred
· First Aid trained
· Firefighting trained
· Trainer/instructor
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to send updated CV and 1-page cover letter.
When emailing the application, kindly indicate ”Local Safety Officer - Baidoa“ as the subject Heading and submit via email to drcbaidoa.jobs@drcsomalia.org
Deadline for applications is 14th April 2015.
