Humanitarian Access & Risk Officer (HARO)

MAIN TASKS: 

The HARO is responsible for the development and implementation of the Security Pack and the monitoring and control of the safety and security of people, goods and Médecins du Monde (MdM) programs. She/He is the guarantor of the good practice of the MdM policy on the subject.  

She/He will update contextual analysis, build a network, support operational management and strengthen the security capacities of the mission to advise and support the General Coordinator (who remains the primary person responsible for security in the country) & Field coordinators (responsible for security in her/his area) in that regard.   

Her/his main responsibilities will be: 

Provide to the General Coordinator (GenCo) / Field Coordinator (Fieldco) valuable information and recommendations to make appropriate operational decisions 

Support the General Coordinator on crisis management and the decision-making process 

Lead the update, roll out and supervise the implementation of MDM security package 

Conduct training and capacity building to MDM team    

Networking and linkage with NGOs, authorities and other key stakeholders on security to improve security monitoring and analysis  

ROLES: 

Context Analysis  

Collect and analyse all security information from a variety of national and international sources (MdM field focal points, other INGOs, UN agencies, Social Media, News etc...) 

Carry out a thorough analysis of the security situation in the current and potential areas of intervention and share information and analysis during coordination or teams meetings 

Develop and update the risk analysis for all activity locations, ideally through a participative process/workshop 

Security Management 

Develop/Finalise a full security pack including security plan, contingency plan and SOPs based on MdM’s standards and templates (to be done with and validated by the GenCo, before final validation by the desk)  

Follow with Logistics department all protection measures to be implemented on each location / movement 

Participate in the review of security procedures for the entire mission based on priorities, supports their update and verifies their application in the field  

Ensure that the elements of the Contingency Plan are regularly revised and ready to be used (security boxes, standby car, emergency telecommunication means, data security and archiving, monitoring of evacuation scenarios, etc.) 

Support GenCo, Field Coordinators and Logistics Department in developing an access strategy  

Supports the Logistics Department in monitoring movements (knowing that the Logistics Department is responsible for regular monitoring of movements)  

Provide to the General Coordinator (GenCo) with valuable information on what indicators will trigger staff movements  

Participate in the management of a security incident and follow up on the implementation of recommendations  

Immediately inform the General Coordinator of any incident affecting MdM and of any important event with a potential impact on the organization 

Centralize mission incident reports through SyRIL and liaise with the General Coordinator for validation and reporting to headquarters 

Support the relocation/evacuation process including implementation of the action plan drafted by the General Coordinator 

Team Management and Capacity Building 

Ensure full safety and security briefing and debriefing with the newcomers (new employees, visitors) 

Identify training needs (either collective or individual) and build capacity on security management for all MDM actors 

Ensure proper briefing and debriefing with each team member moving to field locations 

Carry out an action plan validated by the Genco and the technical referent at HQ 

Reporting and Representation 

Participate in the weekly MdM mission coordination meeting 

Participate in humanitarian access meetings (UNDSS, NGOs, LHIF)  

Make the link with humanitarian access and security peers of other INGO and UN agencies / Develop a contact list 

Ensure ad hoc smooth communication with key coordination members, in particular General Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator 

Mapping 

Create detailed maps of the intervention areas with access specifications (MDM locations, sensitive area, roads …)  

Map the different actors and stakeholders 

Telecommunication means 

Work with the Logistics department on defining the needs, installation and maintenance of telecommunication equipment 

Supervise that all the telecommunications means related to security management are running and properly used by all MdM staff 

Define the communication plan for each field office location to ensure the communication flow related to security works smoothly and timely from the entire communication chain (Communication tree, contact procedures during movement, critical communication during incidents) 

Ensure training on satellite phones, GPS trackers and mobile applications for MdM staff 

The list of tasks is not intended to be exhaustive and other tasks may be requested by the line supervisor. In addition, a certain degree of flexibility and adaptability is expected from the collaborator according to the potential evolution of the mission's constraints 

CONDITIONS OF THE JOB: 

Position based in Beirut, with regular travel to our various bases (Beirut, North - Tripoli, Bequaa) and programs. Otherwise, follow-up of security rules will be done remotely.  

CONTEXT: 

Since September 23, 2024, widespread airstrikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut and Tripoli have caused significant internal displacement. Over 1.2 million people have moved to safer regions like Beirut, Bekaa, Baalback-Hermel, and North Lebanon. This influx has overwhelmed already impoverished areas, leading to overcrowded shelters and increased vulnerability due to poor hygiene and the risk of disease outbreaks. 

Health infrastructure is struggling to cope with the increased demand, exacerbated by Lebanon’s ongoing financial crisis. Primary Health Care Centers are overwhelmed, and there is a shortage of medication for chronic diseases. Pharmacies face difficulties stocking necessary medications, and many displaced individuals cannot afford them. 

The conflict has also led to a rise in gender-based violence and mental health issues, particularly among women and children while increasing the risk of tension between communities. A coordinated humanitarian response is crucial to address these challenges. 

MdM (Médecins du Monde) has been active in Lebanon since the 1990s, addressing various humanitarian and health crises. Since the Syrian conflict in 2011, MdM has focused on providing healthcare services to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities, particularly in Baalbeck-Hermel and Tripoli. 

Currently, MdM runs several projects across Lebanon, funded by donors like AFD, ECHO, FRB, and CDCS.  

In Beirut, MdM is active to support mental health and Sexual and reproductive health with both local organization as well as health authorities and infrastructure including a presence in Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH)  

In Tripoli, MdM has increased the capacity of PHCCs on MHPSS and opened a Community Mental Health and Substance Use Center in Al Rahma Hospital in 2022. They also support Al Rahma PHCC to enhance access to affordable Primary Health Care services. 

In Baalbeck-Hermel, MdM provides primary health care services through a PHCC, a Mobile Medical Unit, and a Rapid Response Team. They address healthcare gaps left by the withdrawal of key INGOs like MSF. MdM supports 3 PHCCs in West Beqaa to deliver quality primary health care and adapt services to emergency responses. 

MdM’s long-standing presence and partnerships in Beirut, Tripoli and Baalbeck-Hermel enable it to play a key role in the health response, delivering life-saving services to IDPs, refugees and host communities despite growing challenges. 

Apart from its regular activities, MdM has started to implement emergency response in Beirut, Tripoli and Beqaa. Indeed, MdM has experience in responding to emergencies; and has participated in the COVID-19 response in Beirut, the Beirut-port blast in 2020. MdM has also deployed rapid response team in the Beqaa and North to respond to Cholera and other outbreaks, and still support a mobile medical unit deployed in the remote ITSs of Hermel through a partnership with a local PHCC.  

SKILLS REQUIRED: 

Training & Experience 

Relevant university degree  

Study//training in security management is an asset (i.e.: HEAT training) 

Previous similar position in the country or experience in volatile environments 

Skills 

Technical: 

Knowledge and mastery of security management methodologies and tools for humanitarian missions 

Knowledge and mastery of telecommunications rules and tools, vehicle management and building security  

Identify, analyze, and describe a security context and events and rationalize security rules 

Guide people when security incidents occurred  

Anticipate, alert, and manage complex situation 

Create and develop a security network 

Create and conduct security training 

IT: 

Mastery of Office 365 

Mastery of SharePoint/cloud systems 

Use of tracking and mapping mobile applications 

Satellite system setup and training of users 

Data protection methods 

Mapping softwares: ArcGIS QGIS or any other mapping tool 

Languages: 

Fluency in Spoken / Written English / Arabic 

Soft Skills  

Autonomous 

Good teamwork skills, good interpersonal skills 

Sense of initiative and confidentiality 

Rigor and organizational skills 

Negotiation skills (diplomacy) 

Ability to analyse, conceptualize and plan 

Good writing and communication skills  

Stress management