ACCESS AND RISK ADVISOR At CARE USA

The Access and Risk Advisor (ARA) will advise CARE Sudan (SDN), on strategies to work safely within their program environments, maintain accesses to program areas, reduce operational risks faced by staff and develop the capacity of national counterparts in the CARE Sudan Safety and Security department. This will be achieved by maintaining a pragmatic and operational posture that enables and supports CARE’s vision and mission in Sudan, whilst fostering an inclusive risk managed culture for health and safety amongst staff.

The ARA will be expected to grow and maintain strong network links with key peer collaboration groups and individuals including counterparts in the region to ensure that CARE can maintain access to program areas.

S/he will demonstrate a high level of socio-cultural, political, and economic understanding of the context where CARE works. S/he will also develop a solid working knowledge of CARE’s programs and have a strong understanding of humanitarian programming approaches.
Position is initially based in Nairobi, with the plan to prepare for and relocate to Sudan. S/he will be required to travel to operational areas (risk levels permitting), including potentially volatile locations to ensure the provisions of the Security Risk Management Plan are followed at field level. The ARA will support the development of appropriate localized plans and provide expert technical assistance to field staff where necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management of the CARE’S Access and Risk Unit

• Manage the daily and long-term operations of the CARE SDN SSU as well as the professional development of members of the SSU as per standard CARE HR performance processes.
• Directly manage and supervise SSU staff.

Analysis, Planning and Preparation

• Prepare strategic oversight activity plans for the Country Director and CARE SDN Senior Management Team (SMT) to include annual operating plans, guidance framework, goals and activities plans.
• Prepare detailed operational activity plans to include weekly and long-term work plans for the SSU, individual capacity development plans, security training plans for SSU and non-SSU staff and supporting budgets.

Procedures and Protocols

• Implement and maintain relevant and achievable risk management procedures based on current risk assessments and in line with CARE and the Country Office’s overall posture.

Incident and Crisis Management

• Serve as the Security Risk Management lead on CARE SDN’s Crisis Management Team when it is required to be formed.
• Ensure that all field level and country level Crisis management plans are kept up to date and reviewed, and if required amended.
• Ensure that the necessary external relationships are maintained to facilitate a quick response and assistance to CARE SDN during any critical incident or crisis.

Capacity Building

• Build capacity of the SSU through training, coaching, and mentoring as defined in annual Performance Plans (APAAs) as well as informal coaching and mentoring sessions. Ensure that members of the SSU plan for and attend relevant technical training during the Fiscal Year (FY) and that these training plans are supported by the available budget.

Advise and Report

• Prepare a monthly situational report to the Regional Office utilizing the pre-set format.
• Brief the Senior Management Team on contextual developments specific to CARE SDN’s area of operations on a weekly basis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to humanitarian work or risk management or equivalent field / operational experience.
2. 5 years’ experience in assisting international organizations in developing countries to manage staff and program safety.
3. 5 years’ experience in working in an international organization.
4. 5 years’ experience in working in complex and hazardous environments.
5. Strong assessment, evaluation, and planning skills.
6. Demonstrable expertise of Humanitarian risk management.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
8. Strong demonstrated inter-personal skills in a multi-cultural environment.
9. Ability to make good judgment on staff safety and provide appropriate advice.
10. Demonstrated ability to manage under stressful conditions.
11. Strong ability to analyze and understand complex situations and translate these into specific policy advice.