Security and Access Manager

Main Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the General Coordinator, and a functional link with the Security Advisor in HQ, the Security & Access Manager will develop and oversee the implementation of access and security management plans in compliance with MDMs strategy principles. S/he will follow up all access and security related matters, ensure country context analysis, identify changes and trends in the access and security environment, ensure up to date security plans, which are known to all staff and visitors. S/he will support in capacity building of MdM staff on security and specifically security and access officers and other relevant staff in Security management.

Working Relations:
The Security & Access Manager reports directly to the General Coordinator.
S/he directly manages:

• 1 liaison officer in Baghdad

S/he technically supervises:

• The logistics and security officers in each base.

S/he works in close collaboration with:

• The logistic coordinator
• The field managers in each base

Essential duties
1. Context and Security Analysis:

• Monitor on daily basis the political and security context in the country.
• Identify timely the changes and trends in the political and security environment and possible impact on

MDMs program activities.

• Produce an analysis of possible scenarios and potential recommendations linked to the different scenarios.
• Produce alerts when relevant, with recommendations linked to the alert.
• Regularly update security event databases.
• Ensure changes in context and alerts are communicated to all key staff.

2. Safety and Security Management:

• Ensure that for each base a Security Risk Analysis is conducted, and updated as required per security pack update policy.
• Ensure that in each base MDM validated Security Rules are available, disseminated and updated accordingly.
• Ensure that for each base updated and validated Contingency Plans are available, and known by staff who are in charge of security management in the mission.
• Develop new Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) related to security where relevant.
• Develop, review and update the Security Management Plans (Security Pack) and SOPs.
• Ensure that accurate, up-to-date security/communications information is available in appropriate local language(s) to all staff.
• Manage safety and security incidents in coordination with the General Coordinator pertaining to all MDM staff and assets.
• Ensure that all incidents are reported to the appropriate people according to MDM procedures.
• Reflect, analyze, and discuss lessons learned after the incident with staff involved and in coordination with the General Coordinator and field managers.
• Support in implementation when contingency plans are activated.
• Ensure briefing of all incoming staff and visitors, national and international.
• Oversee adherence to MDM security procedures and plans and take action when needed.

3. Documentation and Tools Management:

• Support the General Coordinator, in writing, updating and implementing the Security Pack mission wide.
• Support in the preparation and completion of Movement Validation Requests.
• Update and deliver the Constant Companion to all staff.
• Monitor and update the Online Incident Reporting System (SyRIL)
• Use other security analysis tools as required (such as ArcGIS and INSO mapping portal)

4. Security Assessments:

• Develop a pre-security assessment based on secondary available information, to identify threats and mitigation measures for new geographical areas of intervention.
• Recommend security rules and plans for new geographical areas of intervention to be validated before actual security assessments in the field.
• Conduct and guide security assessments in the field for new selected geographical areas of intervention.
• Conduct or guide risk assessments of prospective offices and guesthouses in coordination with logistic department.
• Ensure the availability of reports for each security assessment is done.

5. Access Management:

• Develop, maintain and establish an effective communication and good relationship with authorities and other humanitarian actors in order to proceed for: Facilitating visits of MDM staff with authorities, and obtaining access authorization for current and potential intervention areas.
• Follow-up all information and changes related to access for staff and goods.
• Identify changes and trends in the access and possible impact on MDMs program activities.
• Inform the General Coordinator and other relevant coordinators (logistics and HR) of any information concerning changes in the procedures and/or the legal context frame.
• Follow-up and coordinate with HR, Logistic and field managers on the availability of all required documentation and approvals needed for staff and goods.
• Support logistics on movement tracking.
• Liaise with authorities to ensure the required documents are available and processes are known.
• Develop SOPs related to access of staff and goods and update when changes occur.

6. HR Management, Supervision and Capacity Building:

• Supervise technically the Logistics and Security Officers in each base.
• Manage the Liaison Officer in Baghdad directly.
• Organize meetings and workshops for updating all staff on access and security updates/changes whenever needed.
• Identify training needs and participate in capacity building activities/ training organized as per the

training needs.

• Conduct performance evaluations for staff under his direct supervision and participate in performance evaluations for staff technically supervised.
• Participate and support in the recruitment of security/liaison staff when needed.

7. Liaison, Coordination and Representation:

• Establish and maintain an active information network, which includes NGOs, the UN, military forces, and other national and international security actors to obtain credible and relevant information.
• Represent MdM with relevant external organizations and networks at national level.
• Participate in Humanitarian access working group, and relevant external security meetings.
• Participate in MDM coordination meetings.
• Coordinate actively with logistic department, HR departments and Field coordinators to ensure jointly the implementation of security management plans.

8. Reporting:

• Write reports on each assessment done, and review the reports of assessments done by field teams.
• Record on daily basis the online list of security events on SharePoint per MdM standard template.
• Compile and submit monthly security SITREP.
• Fill the Security and context part of MdM Iraq mission monthly SITREP.
• Prepare and disseminate adhoc updates for MDM coordination team in case of changes.
• Ensure the availability of clear understandable mapping of incidents in the reports.

This list of activities is not exhaustive and may change depending on the situation.

CONTEXT:
MdM has been working in Iraq since the 1990s. During its first mission in the country, MdM was providing general and specialized medical services (surgery, training programs for traditional birth attendants). Since then MdM had several programs which included paediatric surgery, contributing to the renewal of techniques and knowledge of surgical, medical and paramedical staff in 1997, emergency medical activities in 2002, building local capacity on basic emergency healthcare services at community level in 2006. From 2009 to 2011, MdM supported an Iraqi NGO in the implementation of a program aimed at improving the skills of midwives and traditional birth attendants in accordance with recognized international standards. In 2014, with the arrival of ISIS, MdM started to provide immediate healthcare support through curative and preventive care including MHPSS services to IDPs and host communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I).

 Later, MdM expanded its support to the most vulnerable IDPs and host communities outside of the KR-I, in Kirkuk Governorate in July 2015, and in Ninewa Governorate in April 2016. Since 2018, MdM has developed a program where activities are gradually handed over to the MoH.

The current program focuses on supporting the local health authorities in providing quality PHC services (including MHPSS and GBV response) and continue to strengthen the capacities of local public health authorities in Dohuk, Kirkuk and Ninewa governorates, to provide quality care and respond to health needs of IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities.
 

This includes:

• A combination of direct and complementary services, especially related to general health, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), while contributing to the health system strengthening through capacity building at DOH level
• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS),
• Gender based violence (GBV) integrated within the PHCC general health services, SRH and MHPSS services
• As a cross cutting approach MdM is developing a community health based (CHB) approach to ensure
• community participation, while empowering individuals.

Required Skills
Education:

• Master’s degree in international cooperation / social sciences or related field

Professional Experience:

• At least 4 years of field experience in security management
• At least 2 years experience with an NGO in a high level security context
• Knowledge in tools and methodology for security management in humanitarian context
• Knowledge of the context in Iraq and Kurdistan
• Experience in context analysis, planning and use of security management tools
• Experience in supervision and capacity building

Skills and Qualities Required:

• Excellent writing skills in English
• Strong knowledge in the use of MS Office Package (word, excel, PowerPoint…)
• Supervision and capacity building skills

Required Personal Skills:

• Strong communication and diplomacy skills
• Ability to develop a network with different types of actors and stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong organizational and systematic planning
• Problem solving oriented
• Ability to manage shifting priorities
• Team player, proactive and flexible
• Stress resilient

Languages:

• English: Fluent (Excellent command - written and spoken)
• Kurdish: Fluent
• Arabic: Fluent
• French: an asset

Employment Conditions

• Position based in Erbil (with at least expected 50% field visits)