Coordinator, Security At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Organizational Context

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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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.

Context Syria
Syria has been affected by conflict since 2011. 6.7 million people remain internally displaced, and the socio-economic challenges faced by the population have continued to deteriorate into 2023. Conflict is ongoing in some locations particularly in the north and northeast with volatility in the south, central desert region and other areas. A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Türkiye, close to the border with Syria, in the early hours of 6 February. It was followed by several aftershocks, killing thousands, and injuring many more in the region.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched Emergency Appeals for CHF 200 million to respond to a deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) is assisting affected people by distributing food, household items, shelter support and cash assistance. Volunteers are also providing health services, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and hygiene products. Through this appeal, the IFRC is supporting SARC to meet people’s immediate and early recovery needs in an already complex humanitarian setting.

Job Purpose

The Security Coordinator integrates into the management team of the Country Delegation and is responsible – on behalf and under the direction of the Head of Country Delegation – to ensure that the Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR) are developed and implemented. The incumbent coordinates effective security risk management processes to minimize security and safety risks to IFRC personnel (including Surge and integrated personnel) in the country. S/he also maintains external relations and information collation and analysis with ICRC, UN, NGO’s and other partners in the country.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake security assessment missions of the IFRC’s operations according to the needs and as directed by the Head of Delegation to ensure compliance with the Federation’s Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR). This includes security and contingency planning, office, residential and site security coordination, as well as contact and liaison with security service providers.
Advise and assist IFRC managers and member National Societies in the development of appropriate security plans and procedures in accordance with MSR.
Provide security related input into the operational plans in the country to enhance security of field operations.
Monitor and analyze the security situation in the country and identify security related trends and issues that affect the IFRC and RC/RC Movement.
Advise senior management in the IFRC and member National Societies on required changes to operations and procedures to address identified trends and issues.
Disseminate and promote the various IFRC security tools and initiatives in the region, such as the Stay Safe handbooks and the security e-leaning modules.
Establish and maintain internal and external security related contacts and participate in security meetings both internally and externally with ICRC, UN, local authorities, and NGOs as required. Assist IFRC and member National Societies in developing similar external relations within their area of operations as required.
Advise field managers on coordinating actions required to deal with security sensitive situations and if required the management of critical incidents.
Follow up on security incident reporting and assist the operational field managers in the region in incident analysis and country/delegation specific “incident mapping”.
Develop and train a national security officers for the IFRC delegation in Syria.
Provide country specific security briefings and debriefings to IFRC and member National Societies’ delegates and visitors entering or exiting the region and others as required. Maintain the debriefing file and on regular basis provide the HoD with feedback from debriefings.
Coordinate training sessions for delegates and IFRC National Staff in both basic security awareness and technical security related areas such as defensive and 4X4 driving, radio communications, fire drills and use of firefighting equipment.
Undertake operational field liaison functions as assigned by the Head of Delegation.

LATERAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Establish and ensure effective working relations with the delegates and national staff.
Establish and maintain effective liaison relations with ICRC, UN, the interagency community and local authorities.
Ensure effective working and reporting relations with the Regional Security Coordinator and Security Unit in Geneva HQ.
Ensure effective liaison with National Society leadership at all levels.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Strengthen the security risk management structure and improve IFRC’s overall preventive security management by ensuring compliance with MSR.
Provide timely and effective support to field managers regarding all security related matters.
Ensure that the Operational Field Managers in the country are kept informed of all security incidents, security trends, relocation/evacuation procedures and all proposed actions or measures to improve individual, institutional and operational security.
Ensure that all modifiable security incidents are routinely advised to the Regional Security Coordinator and Security Unit in Geneva.

Duties applicable to all staff

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

Education

Professional training in security management, or relevant multi-year work experience -Required
Successfully Completed the Stay Safe e-learning courses both the basic and the manager version. -Required
Basic Delegates Training / IMPACT Course or equivalent -Preferred

Experience

3-5 years of security management experience in a similar context -Required
Field experience in international development or humanitarian work, preferably in the region and with the RC/RC -Required
At least 2 years of work experience with an RC/RC National Society or another humanitarian/voluntary organization -Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Demonstrated success in planning, project management, and reporting -Required
Advanced computer knowledge as a user -Required
Sharing the RC/RC principles and value -Required
Ability to work in a multicultural environment -Required
Proven ability as a good communicator -Required
Effective time management skills -Required

LANGUAGES:

Fluent in spoken and written English -Required
Good command of Arabic -Preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!