NGO Security Officer Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Médecins Sans Frontières - OCBA (Operational Centre Barcelona-Athens) is looking for a
Security Officer

(National position based in Nairobi)

General Context

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, sex, religion, creed or political affiliation.

The MSF movement is build around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates.

The operations are implemented by 41 field teams and 20 mission coordination teams and organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens, Nairobi and Buenos Aires.

The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations, including the Communications Department.

Background of the position

• To accompany the recently created decentralised operational unit in Nairobi, MSF-OCBA is opening this new position there.
• The Security Officer will act as a reference person for security management for MSF overall missions and especially for the countries under the area of influence of the East Africa unit, and will provide security management sparring and support in these areas for better implementation upon request where and when needed.
• The Security Officer for the East Africa Unit (EAU) is hierarchically accountable to the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) based in Nairobi and closely coordinates with the other positions at the EAU.
• Her/his functional responsible is the emergency and security senior advisor of the direction of operations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

In general

• Supports the Direction of Operations by contributing to the definition of security policies, strategies and operational approaches.
• Supports the overall security management by networking and obtaining information in security management, knowledge and expertise on security dynamics, strategies and plans in the area of influence of the East Africa Unit which can be adapted or extrapolated for all the missions
• Supports the Direction of Operations in security decisions making process.
• Work with HQ to ensure the proper implementation of security policies and procedures
• Provide security management sparring and support by conducting security related support visits/evaluations/audits and makes recommendations
• Following up implementation of corrective actions out of evaluations in order to achieve the organizational quality goals

In the area of influence

Operational

• In coordination with the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, perform permanent regional context analysis, from a security approach, through:

1. Networking that can contribute to improve understanding of security dynamics
2. Collection and analyse of information externally to contribute to improve the operational response in the missions from a security point of view

• Produces strategic security papers and/or feeds global strategic documents from the reflections/information/analysis above

Security management

• Supporting the missions in the area of influence in the implementation of adapted security plans by:

1. Identifying and reporting situations/elements that may affect the achievement of operational goals due to security constraints and proposes adaptations and exceptions according to analysis above.
2. Track and report on relevant incidences and the geopolitical situation in East Africa
3. Conducting security related support visits/evaluations/audits and makes recommendations
4. Following up implementation of corrective actions out of evaluations in order to achieve the organizational quality goals

• Collect, author, compile and analyze security related reports, SOP’s and humanitarian related security information from multiple sources ensuring MSF OCBA security posture is current and relevant to the situation on the ground.
• At the request of the Emergency and security senior advisor, he/she can conduct security related support visits/evaluations/audits outside of the area of influence of the unit and makes recommendations.

Others

• Participates in workshops, seminars and other knowledge generating platforms.
• Participates in back up and on call system if requested
• Contributes to the review, organization and planning of the operations department.
• Represent OCBA with local and regional officials, UN, NGO, in regional forums with
• other agencies regarding security issues in the planning, co-ordination (ensures no
• duplication with other MSF bodies/missions in the region). Non mission oriented
• representation.
• Supports in the coordination and provision of training to field staff (Expatriates &
• Nationals) and support and build the capacity of national security staff.
• Contributes to the smooth work flow between EAU and services, other CO’s and field.
• Participates in the accountability transversal processes.

Selection Criteria

• Education and experience
• Experience in managing security in highly insecure context
• Previous experience in the development/humanitarian sector;
• Field experience, preferably in emergency or crisis context;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working in the East Africa region;
• Fluent in English. Swahili, Arabic, French, Spanish desirable, other languages appreciated.
• IT working knowledge (Microsoft Office, Internet).

Competencies

• Commitment to MSF principles
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Behavioural flexibility
• Stress management
• Analytical Thinking
• Quality and results orientation
• Planning and organising
• Initiative and innovation
• Service orientation
• Teamwork

Others

• Highly motivated and interested in the humanitarian sector
• Availability to travel to the field
• Flexibility with working hours
• Very articulated

Conditions

• Based in Nairobi at the EAU office
• Full time job
• Temporary position of approximately 8 months, with clear perspectives to be structural in 2013.
• Starting date: as soon as possible.

To Apply

Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and cover motivation letter under the reference “SONBO” to:

MSF-SPAIN
MSFE-RRHH-NBO@barcelona.msf.org

Closing date: 29th April 2012

Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates