Security Assessment for the Syria International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Resource Desk Program

1. Introduction

Diakonia works with local partners and other strategic actors in over 30 countries for the fulfillment of the right of all people to live a life in dignity. Diakonia’s mission is to change unfair political, economic, social and cultural structures that generate poverty, inequality, oppression and violence. It is a Swedish faith-based organization established in 1966 with regional offices in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America as well as local offices in several countries. The Regional Middle East Office is situated in Jerusalem with Country Offices in Lebanon and Egypt.

As an organization with a long history and track record of promoting human rights across the world, Diakonia has taken a more holistic basis for promoting respect of human dignity under all situations and circumstances by engaging on the complementary and specific legal framework regulating armed conflict - international humanitarian law (IHL). Over 10 years’ experience with IHL capacity building and advocacy started in 2004 when the International Humanitarian Law Resource Centre was created in the Regional Office in Jerusalem with the mandate to raise awareness of issues pertaining to IHL in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The IHL Resource Centre has evolved into a well-respected Centre in IHL since then, catering to local civil society and international community in this context.

Following the success of the IHL Resource Centre, coupled with the current global erosion of the respect for IHL and international human rights law, Diakonia has expanded its work by creating a Global IHL Program. The Program’s first phase entails IHL Resource Desks for Syria and Mali, alongside the international desk in Stockholm, while the second phase will explore establishing desks in Myanmar, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo.

2. Background

The IHL Resource Desk for Syria is based at Diakonia Country Office in Lebanon. It has been designed to meet the needs identified in the Syria context, complementing existing activities by other actors including both local organizations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, fill gaps where necessary, and build the capacity of relevant stakeholders, including humanitarian and development actors. The Program takes a broad and flexible approach to disseminating IHL with the aim to inform and support stakeholders in applying and mainstreaming IHL-related issues in their respective mandates.

Activities include: 1) trainings, legal briefings and interactive seminars with a range of actors including but not limited to civil society, international humanitarian organizations, diplomatic communities and journalists; 2) running an IHL help desk to respond to IHL-related questions or queries; 3) writing legal briefs and reports; 4) commissioning expert opinions, and 5) engaging in national and international advocacy.

3. Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to assist Diakonia’s IHL Resource Desk (IHLRD) for Syria to define the security and safety framework for its implementation activities and to develop appropriate standard operating procedures for the security and safety of its staff, as well as strategic partners’ staff, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders when engaged in IHLRD activities. This support will enable Diakonia management to proactively and timely manage security risks and effectively respond to crises towards a safe and secure working environment for all actors involved in the IHL programme for Syria.

4. Objectives

The assignment will focus on assessing the current security situation for the implementation of Diakonia’s IHL Syria Resource Desk program in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, in particular in relation to Diakonia’s staff and its strategic partners. Its specific objectives are as follows:  

• Identify security threats and vulnerabilities, and conduct risk analysis of the current security setting for Diakonia staff involved in the IHL program for Syria, its strategic partners and international visitors.
• Provide recommendations on available remedies to mitigate identified risks, threats and vulnerabilities, including in relation to good practices of collecting and assessing risk information.
• Develop safety and security procedures for Diakonia IHL Resource Desk for Syria.
• Educate and inform Diakonia staff engaged in the IHL Resource Desk about security and safety procedures and organizational practices that should be followed throughout implementation activities.
• Provide recommendations to Diakonia Head Office in Sweden and Regional Office in Jerusalem for suitable support in safety and security procedures for Diakonia IHL Resource Desk in Lebanon.

5. The Assessment’s Scope and Focus

Task 1: Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities and conduct security risk analysis in relation to the IHL Resource Desk program implementation in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. The risk analysis should focus on assessing strategic risks imposed by external threats and their impact on Diakonia’s ability to achieve its strategies and program objectives. These risk factors and likely consequences should be analyzed in relation to Diakonia staff involved in the IHL work on the Syria context, as well as with regard to strategic partners engaged in the program’s specific activities.

Task 2: Provide general and specific recommendations to Diakonia management on available remedies to mitigate identified risks, threats and vulnerabilities along with suggestions on safeguards and measures to improve Diakonia’s position to recognize, anticipate, and respond to future security threats and conditions. These will also include preventive measures to avoid potential security risks when communicating with external parties as well as means of effectively conveying security concerns that could impact strategic partners.

Task 3: Deliver a security briefing/workshop for Diakonia staff involved in the IHL Resource Desk for Syria activities. The workshop will present the assessment’s findings and recommendations, and provide practical exercises in this regard.

Security Assessment Report: The security assessment’s findings and recommendations will be documented in the form of a report, containing sections on safety and security assessment, safety and security procedures, personal safety and security, incident response, and stress and trauma management. The consultant can further amend and elaborate on the report structure, as appropriate.

6. Methodology

The consultant will propose the methodology for the security assessment of the IHL Program implementation in the Syria context. The methodological outline will include the description of methods for data collection and data analysis that will be used as well as the assessment’s detailed work plan. The Diakonia Lebanon Country Office will facilitate the consultant’s work where appropriate, including by ensuring that the consultant has relevant documentation and that requests for additional information are accommodated timely.

7. Deliverables and Milestones

1-Task: Develop assessment methodology and work plan

Schedule: 14 February

Deliverable: Methodology outline & Work plan

2-Task: Identify threats and vulnerabilities & conduct risk analysis for IHLRD program

Schedule: 2 March

Deliverable: Security Assessment Report consistent with TOR

3-Task: Provide general and specific recommendations on available remedies & mitigating measures

Schedule: 2 March

Deliverable: Security Assessment Report consistent with TOR

4-Task: Educate and inform IHL Resource Desk staff about security and safety procedures and organization practices

Schedule: TBD

Deliverable: Security briefing/workshop (outlining findings & recommendations)

5-Task: Follow-up on the security assessment activities and progress

Schedule: 7 February –7 March

Deliverable: Regular updates to Diakonia management, either via e-mail, face-to-face or Skype meetings, as appropriate.

8. Timeline

• Expression of Interest, Financial Office and CV: 1 February 2018
• Start date: 7 February
• Meeting with Diakonia IHL management to discuss the context and scope of the assignment, challenges, and expected outcomes: 7 February
• Security assessment methodology and work plan submitted: 14 February
• Security assessment activities (implementation): 15 February –26 February
• Draft Security Assessment Report submitted: 2 March
• Diakonia IHL management response: 5 March
• Final Security Assessment Report submitted: 7 March
• Security briefing/workshop: TBD

9. Terms and conditions

• Tax and Insurance: The consultant(s) shall be responsible for their income tax and/or travel and other insurance during the assignment
• Code of Conduct: The consultant shall be required to sign and abide by Diakonia’s Code of Conduct, which can be found at diakonia.se
• Any additional terms and conditions shall be elaborated upon in the contract.

10. Consultant’s qualifications and proposal

• Demonstrated experience in conducting security assessment for international organisations and international non-governmental organisations operating in hostile environments.
• Excellent ability to deliver security trainings clearly and concisely.
• Relevant working experience in the Syria context.
• High ethical and professional standards.
• Fluency in English.