Regional Safety and Security Advisor (RSSA), EMECA

Job Title: Regional Safety and Security Advisor (RSSA), EMECA

Department: Health, Safety and Security Unit (HSSU)

Reports to: HSSU Director, Deputy Regional Director (Dotted Line)

Location: Home based in the Europe, Middle East and Central Asia region or remote telecommuting

About CRS: Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Background: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary: The Regional Health, Safety and Security Advisor provides operational –technical and tactical– health, safety and security (HSS) solutions to the Europe, Middle East and Central Asia (EMECA) Country Programs. The Advisor is responsible for coordination, support and where necessary facilitation of HSS training initiatives and implementation of HSS systems and policies. The Advisor will ensure effectiveness and efficiency in Country Program HSS documentation, operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessment processes and continuity of operations preparedness. The Advisor focusses heavily on capacity building at the country level and collaborates with relevant national and international security agencies and providers, through representation, relationship building, information sharing and advocacy.

Job Responsibilities:

Technical Assistance

• Provide technical support and coordination to EMECA Country Programs to ensure that appropriate health, safety and security systems and procedures are in place and are fully operational.
• Provide international, regional and local security information and expertise, as well as technical input to all EMECA CPs in the development and management of their Country Security Plans and other risk management documents.
• In close collaboration with the Technical Advisors and Health Operations team, assist EMECA CPs in aligning health, safety and security plans and systems with current and future program design.
• Conduct initial HSS assessments before the opening of new CRS offices/programs and assignment of staff to a country and in case of office closures.
• Strengthen and drive the risk assessment process by carrying out regular threat and vulnerability assessments, adapting procedures accordingly and monitoring compliance, together with the CP Security Focal Points.
• Provide guidance on and build capacity in HSS risk management procedures, policies and practices, including the management of incidents, to Security Focal Points.
• Stay up to date with international trends and developments, monitor open sources and cultivate different sources of information and analysis around safety and security trends in the region and share these with the DRD and RD.
• Monitor, review and adjust CRS’ staff tracking systems as necessary and monitor staff compliance.
• Feed into and support CRS’ continuous process of improvement on health, safety and security risk management.

Organizational & Systems Implementation and Staff Capacity Strengthening

• Support the implementation of CRS’ health, safety and security risk management system in the regions.
• Assist and collaborate with CPs in defining roles and responsibilities for health, safety and security management. Optimizing organizational/departmental efficiency, performance and accountability.
• Support the facilitation of the regions’ community of practice for security focal points and other interested parties to encourage learning and implementation of best practices in the area of security management.
• Ensure compliance with CRS global HSS training requirements. Organize and facilitate incident and crisis management trainings and exercises, personal health, safety and security and other HSS trainings.
• Liaise with other members of the CRS health, safety and security community for additional sources of technical or training assistance, best practices and learning.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional Director, Deputy Regional Directors for Operations and Programs, Regional Technical Advisors, Country Representatives/Country Managers, Heads of Operations, Heads of Programs, Security Focal Points, Health Safety and Security Unit including Health Operations team, Humanitarian Response Department, Regional Leadership Team.

External: International and local partners, including local and US Catholic agencies, US Embassy RSOs within the region, contracted security service providers, security officers of other international and local NGOs operating in EMECA.

Potential to supervise one Deputy Regional Safety and Security Advisor in future.

Language Required: Fluency in English required, Arabic or knowledge of any other languages of CRS countries in the EMECA region a plus.

Travel: Approximately 35% of the time, primarily to/within the region, and sometimes in remote areas with minimal amenities available. Possibly with short notice.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in security management, politics, international development, non-profit management, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in operational safety and security management with an international humanitarian organization.

Technical/Professional:

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in security and staff safety
• Experience working in delicate situations with partner organizations
• Knowledge of and working experience in the regions strongly preferred
• Strong cross-cultural skills
• Ability to train and convey information to non-security personnel
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Excellent writing skills and strong communicator
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Diplomatic, able to manage conflict and move groups toward consensus
• Good judgment and sound decision-making skills
• Excellent organization and planning skills, detail-oriented, ability to work on multiple task simultaneously
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a commitment to humanitarian principles
• Able to work without close supervision
• Quick learner, adaptable and creative

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience of successful security program support at regional level
• Experience engaging partners
• Ability to present and train different levels and compositions of staff and partners
• Formal technical training(s) in safety and security is a plus

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.