“Humanitarian Access & Risk Advisor – Sana’a”

For our program in Yemen, we are looking for a Humanitarian Access & Risk Advisor, the position will be based in Sana’a with field visits.
Médecins du Monde (MdM) is an international humanitarian organization whose mission is to provide medical care for the most vulnerable populations, the world over, including France. It seeks to stimulate voluntary commitment from doctors, other health care providers, and from those whose expertise in other fields is needed for its activities, to enlist all competent support required for the achievement of its projects, and to seek at all times to encourage close working relationships with populations in its care.

Position: Humanitarian Access & Risk Advisor
Status: Full time
Location: Sana’a with field visits
Reporting to: General Coordinator (Head of Mission)

Job Purpose

The Humanitarian Access & Risk Advisor is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the security and Safety management within the operational lines at the mission level according to MDM protocols, standards, and procedures to support the mission’s risk reduction strategy. The Humanitarian Access & Risk Advisor above all, is responsible for sensitizing the General Coordinator and the Senior Management team on their security and safety duties and responsibilities in accordance with MDM International Security Management System. He is responsible to get safety humanitarian access for MdM projects. Furthermore, he is responsible for developing a safety and security culture and capacity building of staff in safety and security is a key part of this role. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

National authorities/Coordination 

• Develop and maintain an effective communication and good relationship with authorities (MoFA, MoPIC, MoH, MoI, Immigration services, airport….), as well as with INGOs and UN agencies to help and facilitate MDM operations in Yemen.
• Provide support to mission staff when required, e.g., in administrative procedures related to access, travel etc.

Context and Security: 

• Coordinate with other NGO’s security FP. 
• Update the coordination team and relevant MDM staff about security/context in country intervention areas. Including to share with coordination team analysis of the context/situation and the possible scenarios. 
• Provide day to day security update to the GenCo and the program staff. 
• Lead the update, roll out and supervise the implementation of MdM security pack across all MdM bases.
• Ensure all the staff has access and understand the Security Rules
• Conduct regular Safety Risk Assessments and create/update risk analysis with participation of MDM national and international staff.
• Assist in training the office staff on MdM security rules and regulation and conduct regular training of watchmen. 
• Provide induction security brief for the Int’l staff upon their arrival as well as for the newly recruited national staff. 
• Provide regular support for MdM staff on security preparedness, prevention, and response. Support may include SOPs; Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; and Communications. 
• Identify security/safety barriers to access and support the program teams and develop strategies to address. 
• Maintain and analyse an incident reporting system.
• Support the General Coordinator on crisis management and the decision-making process
• Ensure regular update of list of the security events for Yemen mission. 
• Oversee adherence to safety/security procedures and plans.

Field networking and follow up of field team movements:

• Create and maintain a field network at community level to make sure that MdM activities are well accepted and report any changing.
• Develop and update list of contacts and stakeholder map per district including a contact list from authority, security entities, community leaders, HF staff, district office staff, local council ...etc. that can be used in case of having problem in the field/check points, to ensure safe access during implementation of MDM medical activities. 
• In the office (before movement to the field), with support of Field Coordinator: 
  • Ensure the extraction of proper permissions (shipment, expat movement…etc.). 
  • Participate in validation of team field visits through update of the Field Coordinator. 
  • To get verification of safe access by communication with key people (to be identified in each targeted location) before each field visit.  
• Conduct comprehensive security assessment for new locations (intervention areas, base offices etc.)
• In the field during implementation of activities: 
  • For any security related matters Security Advisor is in-charge to coordinate with the authority. 
  • S/He is in charge to introduce MDM team to people and to explain about MDM, presence, activities...etc.
  • Identify possible places for team hibernation in the field.
  • Ensure security communication back up in case of coverage failure. 
  • Identify the influential actors in the area and participates in actors mapping for each location. 

Reporting and attendance to different meetings

• Participate in internal meetings (general, admin, …)
• Participate in the working groups with other NGOs. 
• Carry out a monthly security sitrep including context, analyses, activities and priorities. 
• Prepare and keep updated his/her individual Action Plan

PROFILE REQUIRED

Qualification required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, humanitarian affairs, security or other relevant areas. 

Experience required: 

• 5 years’ experience from which 3 years are in a similar level in humanitarian access, risk reduction or relevant field, with NGO experience preferred;

Personal skills required:

• Knowledge and experience working with authorities and external stakeholders and ability to network and build relations;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including capacities to negotiate with non-government stakeholders and armed groups. 
• Ability to conduct proper risk analysis, mapping and context analysis. 
• Ability to conduct training with satisfactory presentation skills. 
• Knowledge and experience working in issuing visas, immigration and flights booking. 
• Knowledge in custom exemption and travel arrangement. 
• Understanding of humanitarian principles, risk management and access challenges. 
• Ability to work in a fluid, unpredictable and complex security environment.
• Ability to work with others of different backgrounds and identities.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.