Job Title: Humanitarian Access, Security, and Liaison Officer (HASLO)
Band/ Level / Grade:  Band 8-B
Department: Operations/Humanitarian Access and Security
Location: Yemen | Abyan

Background:

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 required to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, we restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
The IRC Yemen Country program has been established in 2012 and currently is implementing integrated Health, Nutrition, Environmental Health (WASH), Economic Recovery and Development, Women Protection, and Empowerment and Education programming in eight governorates. The IRC Yemen Country Program operates with its Country Office in Sana’a and its main Field Office in Aden. Other subfield offices include Abyan, Hodeida, and Al Dhale, with the Al Dhale office covering Lahj, and the Abyan office covering activities in Shabwa.

Scope of Work:

IRC is seeking for Humanitarian Access, Security, and Liaison Officer (HASLO) based in the IRC Lawder office covering the governorates of Abyan and Shabwa Covering the Security, Access, and Liaison task in the base.

Job Summary

HASLO is a member of the field Security Management Team (FSMT), reporting to Field Manager, and is technically supported by the Humanitarian Access & Security Coordinator (HASC).
HASLO responsibility is to supervise the overall security situation, implement security regulations, and provide sound and timely advice to IRC Abyan and Shabwa staff and field management in order to support safe access and efficient delivery of program activities in the designated areas of operations. The HASLO will advise on and implement the IRC Humanitarian Security Management Plan, under the supervision of the Field Manager and technical support from the Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator (HASC). They will provide humanitarian access and security risk management advice to field management, The Senior Humanitarian Access, and Security Officer (SHASO), and Humanitarian Access and Security Manager (HASM) on building links with partners, negotiating and mediating humanitarian access, contextual understanding, handling critical incidents, and providing timely advisories. Working closely with the HASM, they will help improve the effectiveness of IRC's activities in Yemen by contributing to the design and ongoing adaptation of programming to ensure it is contextually appropriate. Where applicable, they will also provide guidance and support to partner organizations and ensure the capacity building of IRC staff, incentive workers, and partners with active hands-on collaboration.

Working Relations:

Position Reports to Field Manager Lawder. Receive technical support from SHASO, HASM, and HASC.
Position directly supervises Security Guards Abyan.

Responsibilities:

Networking, Liaison & Acceptance

• Establish and maintain relations and a network of contacts allowing the collection of information related to humanitarian access in the covering areas as well as, other possible future locations, specifically in the areas of intervention.
• Develop and regularly update a list of contacts and collaborator maps per district/sub-district in the IRC operational governorates of their coverage area.
• Improve internal maps on safe and unsafe areas, in coordination with HASM.
• Working with program teams, develop, maintain, and on a monthly basis share maps of IRC interventions with CMT and Field Management
• Identify barriers to access and support the program teams to develop strategies to address them.
• Support the program teams to develop and implement community engagement strategies that promote acceptance and access.

Monitoring, Reporting & Analysis

• Assess the situation in the IRC operational areas for collecting information from the formal and informal network and/or the team and/or electronic means (email, blogs, webpages, Twitter, etc.).
• Report immediately to the line manager and internal collaborators any sudden changes in the access where IRC operates.
• Provide contextual and data inputs into humanitarian situation reporting and share them with the program teams.
• Provide comprehensive, neutral, and non-partisan information on security risks, threats, and incidents to field management and HAS Manager.
• Conduct regular Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) as per IRC policy.
• Identify indicators and key decision points and link them to the SRA and safety phases.
• Assist in training on safety and security procedures as required for program staff.

Training / Capacity Building

• Deliver training materials, mentors, and advice for staff and partners addressing humanitarian access issues with the support of SHASO and HASM.
• Promote and support the integration of humanitarian access approaches into program design, implementation, and operation.
• With the assistance of the SHASO, build up the capacity, awareness, and preparedness of the security guards at their location.
• Provide ongoing support for IRC staff on security preparedness, prevention, and response. Support may include SOPs; Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; and Communications.

Other Key responsibilities:

• Implement security policies, protocols, and procedures with the support of the FM.
• Train and supervise compound security guards, with the support of HASM.
• Attend meetings with other INGO focal points or/and PCs to settle operational needs.
• Review reports on incidents and breaches.
• Analyze data to form proposals for improvements (e.g., trigger the review of existing Security Management Plans).
• Engage daily with the field management to ensure that the daily operations meet operational requirements.

Requirements (Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities)

A. Education: Relevant university degree (Advanced studies or equivalent experience in political science, humanitarian affairs, security, or other areas)

B. Experience:

• Proven experience in a similar level, in humanitarian access and security, risk reduction, or relevant field INGO experience.
• Knowledge and experience working with authorities and external partners and ability to network and build relations.

C. Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of risk management and access challenges
• Ability to work in a fluid, unexpected, and complex security environment.
• Ability to work with others of different backgrounds and identities.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Good English, both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills, including capacities to negotiate with non-government partners.
• Management and/or supervisory experience
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Computer Skill: MS Office – Very good MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook.

D.  Proficiencies:

• Active listening and effective communication.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Professionalism and work ethic.
• Receptive and Resilient.
• Positive Interpersonal interactionsE. Desired qualifications and skills
• Experience working in security and access management or support.
• Management and/or supervisory experience.
• Experience in humanitarian access, risk reduction, or relevant field, with NGO experience preferred.
• First aid training certificates.
• HEAT training certificate
• Humanitarian Negotiations training certificates 
• Good connections with partners. 
• Contextual understanding of Abyan/ Shabwa governorates 
• Ability to communicate complex issues.

Work Environment

Based in Lawder, required to travel to field sites in the governorates of Abyan and Shabwa

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and makes sure policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.