BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities in over 40 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in ten regions, in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator, the AS&SO should assist FdC to maintain, improve and expand principled humanitarian access to and by populations affected by adversity/conflict through assisting the implementation of humanitarian access and security management plans in compliance with IRC’s strategy and in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, Duty of Care and Gender Equality principles.

The post holder will provide expert advice on Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security to all IRC entities based in the operational areas, to assist Field Coordinator identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in the areas of operations and will ensure that adequate and up-to-date policies and procedures are in place and ensure staff have the information they need to manage operations, to identify issues, and to recommend and implement measures to reduce them.

Responsibilities: -

• Assist in Developing and implementing humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites throughout areas of operations.

• Work to ensure that IRC, its mission, and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted.

• Work to encourage collaborators to work with the IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities in areas of operations.

• Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations.

• Assist in the continued development of Humanitarian Access Safety and Security teams and activities across areas of operations.

• Be responsible for and advise on the implementation and review of tailored acceptance strategies.

• Improve IRC image and acceptance within the community and amongst stakeholders by providing mentorship on inclusive visibility strategies.

• Work with appropriate IRC units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of IRC’s Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles.

Safety and Security Risk Management

• Work with Security Unit to develop, consolidate and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.

• Maintain record of security training for staff.

• Ensure replenishment of hibernation kit, first aid kit.

• Update security incident database regularly.

• Conduct security risk assessments, and review Security management plan of contracted and prospective offices and residences.

Liaison, networking, analysis

• Assist Security Unit to establish and maintain relations and networks to facilitate understanding and influences on humanitarian access environment.

• Assist to develop and maintain contact lists, collaborator analyses and humanitarian access profiles in area of responsibility.

• Orchestrate on day-to-day operations related to humanitarian access and liaison with authorities and other entities for administrative and substantive staff, program, and organizational needs.

• The incumbent will participate in joint safety and security, road assessment in areas of concern organized by ASMT and other INGOs focal person.

Context Understanding and Reporting

• Supervise open sources to collect, compile and report information including incidents and trends pertinent to humanitarian access in area of responsibility.

• Work closely with IRC field management teams to ensure all incidents are followed up with an official written report.

• Assist to supervise the operating environment, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities, and recommend possible responses.

• Give to local-level conflict sensitivity analysis and macro- level analysis of trends.

• Prepare weekly relocatable staffs, ground movement plans and submit to Field Coo every Monday morning.

Training and Capacity Building

• Assist SATM to build up the capacity, awareness, and preparedness of staff to take care of security-related risks, threats, and incidents through the delivery of high quality, regular trainings/ briefings to national and international staff and IRC visitors when deemed vital.

• Render administrative support to SATM in providing regular training for IRC staff on security preparedness, prevention, and response. Training(s) may include SOPs; Contingency Plans (CPs) as hibernation, relocations, and evacuations; Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; and Communications.

Job Requirements

·         A University Degree or Higher National Diploma in social sciences/ public administration/ International relations or a field related to humanitarian work or risk management.

·         Digital literacy (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and internet)

·         Proficiency in English (written, spoken, comprehension).

·         Proficient report writing skills.

Educational Requirements:

• 2 years related experience with first degree respectively.

• At least 1 year of senior management experience.

Preferred experience & skills:

• Ability to work closely, professionally, and constructively with others regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, group, or cultural background.

• Good judgment and the ability to work under minimal direction.

• Strong assessment, evaluation, analysis, and planning skills

• Interpersonal communication and proven written / presentation skills

• Demonstrated ability to work under stressful conditions.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the historical and socio-political context.

• Flexibility and ability to work long hours.

Language Skills:

• Excellent Communication in Amharic and English

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: CLICK HERE

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.