Access (Security) Focal Point 34 views

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) is an international Italian NGO established in 1965. Since its establishment, COOPI has been undertaking activities to help and empower the poor and needy in different countries. COOPI Ethiopia started its operation in 1995 and has been primarily implementing humanitarian aid and development programs covering the sectors of: WASH, Shelter/NFI, food security and Livelihoods, Energy and CCCM. COOPI works in BenishangulGumuz, Oromia, Ahmara, Afar, Somali, Tigray Regions and Addis Abeba city administration.

COOPI is looking for qualified Access (Security) Focal Point to be based in Addis Ababa.

Title of the Position: Access (Security) Focal Point

• Number required: One (1)
• Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Duties and Responsibilities:

Purpose of the role

The main objective of the Access Focal Point is to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of COOPI’s staff, beneficiaries and assets, as well as to support continuity of programmes through ensuring implementation of risk analysis, security framework and protocols. The secondary key objective is to build capacity in safety and security management across mission team at all levels and to identify and train a national security focal point.

The Access Focal Point role has four primary objectives:

• To inform and advise senior management team in Addis Ababa and in the field on safety and security related issues and ensure that they are kept informed of all security developments and can take appropriate action when required.
• To ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to maximize the safety and security of all COOPI staff, property and that these systems and procedures are always adhered to.
• To work with project managers at all levels to ensure that safety and security is mainstreamed into all areas of programming, planning and operations.
• To assist the logistics team in providing security information and updates on road access/movement to COOPI areas of operation as required.

Main responsibilities

Security Department:

• Definition of roles and responsibilities of all mission staff with regard to security management;

Security documentation:

• Produce weekly security reports for the Head of Operation that review any incidents in COOPI sites, summarize relevant external, and analyze security/social/political/economic information from the wider range of information sources available that may impact the operation of COOPI’s program in Ethiopia.
• Ensure that all incidents are reported, analyzed and actions taken where necessary and registered in the incident tracking system.
• Maintain an Emergency Contact database with updated contact information for all staff.
• With the Head of Operations develop contingency plans, ensuring that staffs understand their roles in an emergency and that COOPI has the resources to carry out the contingency plans.
• Ensure that all COOPI staff has valid COOPI Identification and that staff leaving COOPI hand in their ID as part of the clearance process.
• Ensure the Incident Management system is completed and up to date.

Policies and Procedures

• Elaboration of the security management policy for the country;
• Contribute to develop, consolidate, implement, and regularly review operating procedures and security plans;
• Revises and updates the organization’s security tools.
• Support the Head of Operations to create a security culture within the organization.

Staff and Vehicle Movement

• In collaboration with the logistics and project team, monitor movement and provide security guidance to international and national staff on the current situation in operational areas;
• In collaboration with the fleet manager, daily track and record all COOPI field movements and ensure vehicle and personal tracking systems are appropriate, fully resourced, and operational
• Regularly conduct field visits to assess field site compliance with safety and security procedure during field activities.

Monitoring and Analysis

• Monitor the security situation in the field, promptly and effectively report risks and propose mitigation actions;
• Collect and report information regarding politics and security in the country as well as on safety and security issues concerning COOPI;
• Respond to security relevant incidents with information gathering and report to COOPI Head of Operations;
• Undertake continual assessments of equipment (including vehicles) and organizational assets to ensure that minimal conditions for security are met. Prevent loss and damage by reporting irregularities; informing violators of policy and procedures;
• Conduct regular safety inspections;
• Regularly inventory and stock as necessary hibernation kits, first aid kits, and vehicle safety kits, communication gadgets; ensure that staff know what is in the kits and how and when to use them;
• Submit regular contextual updates (weekly/monthly situational reports) to the Head of Mission and the Head of Operations;
• Work closely with COOPI field teams to ensure all incidents are followed up with an official written Incident Report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filled appropriately;
• Take appropriate measures to secure COOPI premises, personnel, assets, and properties by regularly monitoring and control of COOPI existing security set-up;
• Liaise with other humanitarian actors in the field in order to obtain information on the safety and security situation;
• Gather security incidents concerning areas of operations and organize them in a security incident database (mapping of security incidents, graphics and data);
• Immediate alerts in the event of a drastic change in the context or significant incidents;

Coordination and Networking

• Maintain a wide professional and personal network of influential actors and clearly communicate COOPI’s status and mission in the region;
• Create, develop and maintain a contextual and security information and exchange networks in COOPIintervention areas.
• Develop and maintain a security network with COOPI players already present in the areas of intervention;
• Build acceptance to facilitate continuity of current COOPI programs and any future humanitarian or development programming by liaising with local communities, local authorities and other humanitarian actors and stakeholders within the country;

Safety Procedures

• Regularly update and monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure their compliance with COOPI security rules;
• Propose, writing and follow up on the implementation of SOPs when needed on the mission;
• Carry out regular site visits to verify the knowledge, application and validity of SOPs;
• Ensure the proper use, operation, updating of equipment and practical safety measures;
• Contribute to ensure the implementation and respect of the SOPs in the mission as well as the monitoring of materials related to security;
• Contribute to the development of risk mitigation strategies, including the drafting or adaptation of SOPs to the environment, Safety instructions and Contingency Plan;

Briefing and Training

• Conduct security briefings for new staff on security rules and context of intervention, and provide them with the essential documents and tools according to their roles and needs;
• Train or organize training for staff in security management, the use of means of communication, security rules or any other support that can improve the security of the mission;
• Remain available to staff in the event of a request for support related to the context or security and being proactive if a need is identified.

Others:

• Undertake regular threat assessments and risk analysis.
• Ensure that all COOPI staff have a high awareness of the safety and security risks they face while working in Ethiopia and that they take all necessary steps to minimize the risks they face or to mitigate the impact of a safety or security event occurring.
• Make sure that there is a balance between acceptances and protection security strategies.
• Regularly conduct field visits to assess the field sites compliance with safety and security procedure.