Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions 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: 

The Safety, Security and Access Officer will work closely with the country Gavi REACH team to identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access context in Ethiopia, develop and be responsible for the implementation of both proactive and adaptable plans. She/ he will support the IRC and Gavi REACH Consortium partners to facilitate and deliver training and capacity building related to access, safety and security to IRC and partner’s staff. The Safety, Security and Access officer will be based in Addis with extensive travel to field locations.

Major responsibilities include:

     Access:  

·    Ensure that the Gavi REACH Partners conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in Ethiopia in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, a duty of care principles, and the IRC’s Strategy Action Plan.

·    Support REACH to monitor access context, update access matrix and context matrix on regular basis, and provide area-based access analysis based on program operation demand.

·    Support access innovation initiatives, including the development of other strategies, tools, and guidelines for the management of IRC’s access in Ethiopia including support to REACH implementing partners.

·    Provide access analysis based on program operation demand and in consultation with field staff.

·    As required, support the country Access and Security unit in providing area-based access analyses supporting operational implementation or program development, including recommendations on how to address issues as they arise.

·    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.

Building Acceptance & Networking

·    Maintain a network of contacts from relevant stakeholders.

·    Work to ensure that IRC, its mission and work within Ethiopia is known and accepted.

·    The Project Coordinator for GAVI REACH can assign the officer to support other IRC projects in Ethiopia for Security and Access related work as and when required.

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 and Gavi REACH Consortium partners to ensure all incidents are followed up with an official written report.

·    Assist in supervising the operating environment, identifying new threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and recommending possible responses.

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

Learning

·   Contribute to documentation and organizational learning on safety, security, and access in IRC.

·    Contribute to IRC regional and global access discussions and share lessons learned and best practices from Ethiopia.

Job Requirements

·    BA degree in Political Science, International Relations, Peace Studies, Law, or related social science fields.

·    A minimum of 2 years of experience in supporting development of humanitarian access strategies and approaches within humanitarian assistance or development programs.

·    Experience in support facilitation of trainings and learning to a wide range of audiences.

·    Ability to gain a precise understanding of the various local, regional, country, and international policies, operational policies, and interactions providing clear analysis of given and unfolding access, safety, security and political situations when they occur.

·    Understanding of humanitarian principles and codes of conduct.

Skills and Abilities

·    Excellent organization skills with proven ability to manage large amounts of information and prioritize work.

·    Should be a strong collaborator with effective interpersonal skills and the capability to manage conflicting views.

·    Strong ability to communicate concisely and with impact in English.

·    Proficient in MS Office Suite.

·    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

·    Ability to work under pressure and attention to details

How to Apply

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

IRC Career Site 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.