Deputy Regional Advisor Safety and Security Risk Management

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Background: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

The Deputy Regional Safety and Security Advisor supports technical, both operational and tactical, safety and security solutions to the East Africa (EARO) and Southern Africa (SARO) Country Programs and Regional Offices. The Deputy Advisor is responsible for coordination, support and where necessary facilitation of safety and security training initiatives and implementation of safety and security systems and policies. The Deputy Advisor will propose updates to effectiveness and efficiency in Country Program security documentation, operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessment processes and continuity of operations preparedness plans. The Deputy Advisor collaborates with relevant national and international security agencies and providers, through representation, relationship building, information sharing and advocacy.

Job Responsibilities:

Technical Assistance

• Ensure that all security systems and procedures are communicated and adhered to by the EARO and SARO Country Programs and provide technical support and coordination to these Country Programs.
• In close collaboration with the Regional Safety Advisor;
  • Provide international, regional and local security information and research, as needed, to support the continued improvement of, as well as technical input to all EARO-SARO CPs in the development and management of their Country Security Plans and other security risk management documents.
  • Assist EARO-SARO CPs in aligning health, safety and security plans and systems with current and future program design.
• Conduct and assist Country Programs with initial security assessments before a new CRS offices/program is opened and staff is assigned to a (country) program. In case of office closures, conduct and assist with the security assessment and closure processes.
• Train and assist CP staff in preparing, conducting, and reporting risk assessments. Monitor and follow up on implementation of the mitigation measures and plans.
• Strengthen and drive the risk assessment process by carrying out regular threat and vulnerability assessments, adapting procedures accordingly and monitoring compliance, together with the CP Security Focal Points.
• Monitor proper implementation of the Safety and Security Management Plans and provide guidance on security management procedures, policies and practices.
• Triage, review and follow up on reported incidents. Work with RSSA to provide technical support to country programs on incident management. Escalates security concerns and incident management as needed.
• Stay up to date with international trends and developments, monitor open sources and cultivate different sources of information and analysis around safety and security trends in the region and share these with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor.
• Monitor and review CRS’ staff tracking systems as necessary, monitor staff compliance and propose adjustments as needed.
• In collaboration with RSSA follow up with CPs to ensure that Security document including Field Security Plans, Visitor Briefing Pack, Standard ProceduresConstant companion are reviewed, updated and socialized to Staff.
• Identify and propose opportunities to interface with regional-level and country-level security committees, key contacts, and staff from other agencies to support the update of Field Security Plans. Carry out regular assessments to review and monitor compliance and propose improvements.
• Support CRS’ continuous process of improvement on safety and security risk management.

Organizational & Systems Implementation and Staff Capacity Strengthening

• Support the implementation of CRS’ health, safety and security risk management system in the regions.
• Assist and collaborate with CPs in defining roles and responsibilities for safety and security management. Generate recommendations to optimize organizational/departmental efficiency, performance and accountability.
• Support the facilitation of the regions’ community of practice for security focal points and other interested parties to encourage learning and implementation of best practices in the area of health, safety, and security management.
• Monitor, track, and promote effective use of communications equipment as per the regional specific SOPs.
• Organize and Facilitate incident and crisis management trainings and exercises.
• Liaise with other members of the CRS global safety and security community for additional sources of technical or training assistance, best practices and learning.
• Support regional requests for safety and security training.
• Ensure compliance with CRS’s security training and learning policy
• Implement trainings at the regional and country level, including those for drivers and guards.
• Document dates and types of security training staff members have received and make recommendations on training needs.
• Strengthen CP training capacity and facilitate HSS trainings as needed.
• Deploy to country programs to provide surge support or help manage critical incidents if needed.
• Acting RSSA in case of travel or absence of the Regional Safety and Security Advisor.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional Advisor Safety and Security Risk Management, Deputy Regional Director(s), Regional Technical Advisors, Country Representatives, Heads of Operations, Heads of Programs, Security Focal Points, Health Safety and Security Unit and Humanitarian Response Department.

External: International and local partners, including local and US Catholic agencies, US Embassy RSOs within the region, contracted security service providers, security officers of other international and local NGOs operating in EARO and SARO.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, international development, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in operational safety and security management with an international humanitarian organization.

Technical/Professional:

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in security and staff safety
• Experience working in delicate situations with partner organizations
• Knowledge of and working experience in the regions strongly preferred
• Strong cross-cultural skills
• Ability to train and convey information to non-security personnel
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Excellent writing skills and strong communicator
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Diplomatic, able to manage conflict and move groups toward consensus
• Ability to make sound decision, including when to escalate issues
• Excellent organization and planning skills, detail-oriented, ability to work on multiple task simultaneously
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a commitment to humanitarian principles
• Able to work without close supervision
• Quick learner, adaptable and creative

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences
• Ability to collaborate with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related discipline
• Familiarity in working for Non-governmental Organizations
• Demonstrated experience of successful security program support at regional level
• Previous experience with partner engagement
• Ability to present and train different levels and compositions of staff and partners
• Formal technical training(s) in safety and security is a plus

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Language Required: Fluency in English required, Arabic and French strongly desired, Portuguese a plus.

Travel: Maximum 50% of the time, primarily to/within the regions, and sometimes in remote areas with minimal amenities available. Often with short notice.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer