Job Title: Senior Country Safety Manager

Sector: Operations

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Kasulu, Tanzania

Job Description

BACKGROUND/IRC SUMMARY

 The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

POSITION SUMMARY

The IRC is seeking a Senior Country Safety Manager (SCSM) for its Tanzania Country Program, based in Kasulu with very frequent travel to other IRC operational areas. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO), the SCSM will analyze context trends, guide, update, implement the IRC’s Security Management Plan and lead a team of safety focal persons in the country. They will ensure country program compliance with IRC global safety and security, the humanitarian principles and needs, and IRC’s strategic action plan for Tanzania. They will conduct onsite training for staff, facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate plans such as standard operating procedures and contingency plans. They will provide safety advice to all levels of IRC staff including context updates, advisories, and incident management.

Travel Requirements: Mtwara, Dar es salaam, Dodoma, Kigoma, and other areas where there are similar needs, about 40% of the time.

Reports to: Management in Partnership with Regional Field Coordinator (geographic), DDO & RSSA (functional)

Supervision (functional): Safety focal persons across the country program

SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Support Program Implementation.

• Provide technical support the Safety Focal Points (SFP) as well as program teams in the design of operational and engagement strategies.
• Develop ongoing relationships with local authorities.
• Ensure that the IRC, its mission and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted.
• Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new IRC programs in new geographic areas.
• Participate in local management meetings and advise the group on safety issues.
• Participate in internal project meetings, including Grant Opening Meetings (GOM), Grant Review Meetings (GRM) and Grant Closing Meetings (GCM).

Context Monitoring and Analysis

• Contribute to the strategic discussions with the country leadership team by providing continuous analysis of the safety, economic and political context.
• Identify the contextual trends that could potentially affect IRC operations in Tanzania and guide the country team on how to adapt programs and operations accordingly.
• Compile and submit daily and monthly safety reports as per IRC standard processes.

Operational Management

• Support IRC teams in the identification and management of the various contextual risks inherent to their work.
• Ensure that IRC safety protocols, procedures and plans are followed by all IRC staff members.
• Ensure that each incident is managed and reported in line with IRC procedures and ensure that the persons affected are supported in a sensible and respectful manner, including when confidentiality is required.
• Provide an analysis of the most significant incidents and provide recommendations to limit the likelihood and impact of future similar incidents.
• Guide operations teams on the best possible solutions for use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff, including here proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment.

Training, Briefings and Orientations

• In collaboration with HR, facilitate regular trainings for IRC staff on security management (level 2) and humanitarian access for Safety Focal points.
• Ensure that each visitor and new staff member receives appropriate briefing and/or orientation on arrival.

Planning and Documentation

• In coordination with the Country Management Team (CMT), pilot the design and dissemination of all safety and security policies, procedures, plans and security risk assessments within the Country program.
• Design and regularly updating the Security Management Plans (SMPs) and briefing materials for visitors and new staff.
• Review and update of hibernation and evacuation plans for all IRC offices and residences.

Culture & ethics

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight mentorship and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Lead with dedication, integrity and accountability the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct - and ensure adherence.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• University Degree or its equivalent (from  a recognized institution) in Social Sciences. 

• A minimum of 5 years of NGO work experience within humanitarian assistance programs with demonstrated capabilities in planning and implementing elaborate tasks and projects.
• Understanding the humanitarian principles, code of conduct and specific work linked to NGO field and operations contexts.
• Ability to carry out in-depth contextual analysis and identify developing trends.
• Strong experience as a trainer; ability to develop, implement and facilitate learning to a wide range of audiences.
• Proficiency in English and Swahili is a must.