Safety & Security Officer (Generic)

1. Purpose:

CARE established its presence in Lebanon in 2006 and has been responding to the Syrian Crisis since late 2012. Among CARE’s key imperatives is putting people it serves first through implementing cutting edge programming in areas it operates. CARE currently carries out activities in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Akkar, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and the Beqaa Valley. CARE implements both emergency and development projects contributing to livelihood, food security, protection, gender, shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene. It targets the most vulnerable people and populations, both host communities and refugees. Over the course of 7 years, it has supported more than half a million beneficiaries.

In Lebanon, CARE’s program strategy for the upcoming years will focus on strengthening and expanding its emergency response and capacity to provide basic assistance services while pursuing development projects in areas of food security and livelihood support, gender and protection. CARE intends to maintain its presence in all areas of Lebanon.

CARE Lebanon has scaled up rapidly over the past few years and today it has about 90 staff members, with more than 15 different local/international partner organizations. 90% of the team is composed of national staff, with a symbolic number of international members.

2. Reporting Lines

OSSL

3. Organizational Relationship

The SO will focus on the protection and well-being of CARE International personnel who work under circumstances that are frequently difficult, dangerous and sometimes life-threatening.  Ensure all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard CARE’s assets, data and operations.

4. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Context understanding and Analysis

• Analyze the parameters of the working environment by assessing the nature of the threats and CARE vulnerabilities in relation to the emergency.
• Collect the necessary data and information to develop a comprehensive risk assessment.
• Monitor political, social, economic and military situation and identify trends relevant to security situation.
• Monitor the operational context and the situation in the country in general, and areas with heightened insecurity in particular.
• Assist with the strategic and operational analysis and assessments; provide advice during the formulation and implementation of programs and projects.

Safety and Security Risk Management

• Develop, disseminate and regularly update written Security Plan and tools (this includes information pertinent to the area of operations such as detailed threat assessment, standard operating procedures (personal movement & transport, office, warehouse, landmines and UXO, telecommunications, incident report sheets, etc), asset protection, contingency plans for incidents, emergency evacuations policy, etc.).
• Contribute to developing a safety and security culture by addressing and helping staff to address safety and security-related issues.
• Conduct SSRA every 6 months, or when there is a significant change in the situation
• Conduct location specific SSRA prior to commencing program activities in a new area, including humanitarian emergency response operations.
• Ensure that security planning becomes an integral part of day-to-day operations and is integrated into the development of future programs.
• Assist with the strategic and operational analysis and assessments, and with the refinement of the program strategies.
• Ensure that the Field Level Security Plans and associated documents are kept up to date and reviewed regularly.
• Perform security risk assessments or evaluation missions to the field and regularly review safety and security procedures.
• Advise on technical areas of operation (Cash withdrawal/ deposit, payroll procedures; Transport/Fleet policy, defensive driving)
• Monitor that all staff follow appropriate security and safety precautions and procedures and never risk their lives to protect CARE property. Clearly articulate consequences of not doing so.
• Work with staff to ensure appropriate steps are taken to safeguard office premises, equipment and residential property.
• Ensure the CO is meeting minimum standards and complying with policies and procedures.
• Maintain physical safety standards as established for CARE office and guesthouse.
• Organize and circulate relevant safety and security information to the staff and provide an opportunity for staff to voice Safety and/or Security-related concerns.
• Set clear standards for security and develop an individual and collective sense of security and safety awareness and responsibility.
• Create a positive security profile and ensure that security planning becomes an integral part of day-to-day operations.
• Advise OSSL of decisions concerning evacuations and other actions in emergency situations.
• Advise on site selection for office building/ logistical/ residential accommodation.
• Assist in developing guidelines for staff when travelling.
• Ensure that all incoming visitors receive a security briefing and information.
• Report (and record) immediately all significant safety or security concerns or threats against CARE staff to the CD and all staff in consultation with the CD. 
• Provide regular safety and security related updates and analyses to the OSSL.
• Where required, provide pre-field trip travel briefing and post-travel debriefing.
• Train staff on the CO-established contingency measures and ensure they know how to react

Liaison, Networking and Analysis

• Liaise with government, Army, Police, SSS (State Security Services), Local Heads and other key external stakeholders to ensure that CARE staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas
• Represent CARE International and coordinate amongst all actors (state, military, UN, NGO, etc) on all matters pertaining to safety and security.
• Review periodically past experiences and practices and propose improvements based on analytical judgment.

Incident Reporting and Management

• Train staff on the incident reporting form and procedures.
• Record and report immediately all significant threats to staff and security, and all security and safety incidents to OSSL,
• Draft/ submit safety and security incident reports on CIL the online reporting tool

Training and Capacity Building

• Coordinate training in safety and security, ensuring that staff have the necessary equipment (fire extinguishers, first aid, communications mean such and are trained accordingly
• Ensure all staff understand and fulfil individual and collective responsibilities for safety and security.
• Coordinate with other team members to ensure staff know how to identify health risks, how to protect against illness, injury and stress, and how to obtain proper support or medical treatment.
• Ensure that all individuals understand personal responsibilities for their own safety.
• Coordinate staff briefing and appropriate training in safety and security procedures.

• Emergency response and preparedness:

• Directs emergency preparedness actions in his or her department and, in the event of the ongoing emergency, reorganizes the priorities of his or her team according to humanitarian imperatives to ensure a rapid and effective response from CIL.
• Contributes the emergency preparedness actions and adapts his or her working methods to contribute to an effective humanitarian approach by CIL.
• During humanitarian emergency response, support in disseminating emergency response templates, briefing, debriefing,
• Support CIL teams in planning for emergency response distributions.

Other

• Visit all CIL offices and project locations regularly.
• Ensure that safety and security is always on the agenda in ‘all staff meetings.
• Maintain an effective filing system to ensure proper documentation of all significant events and safety and security correspondence.
• Ensure that hibernation stocks are in place where there is a potential need for hibernation.
• Maintain daily, monthly the Security Alert System.
• Ensure that all staff who travel internationally are briefed on, and follow, the procedures outlined in the CI Guidelines & Procedures for Safe Travel to Country Offices, and CI HEAT Protocol for travel to HIGH or EXTREME risk locations.
• Ensure that Pre-departure Information is sent at a minimum of one week before new international staff or visitor arrives in the country.
• Ensure that accommodation used for new staff and visitors is safe and secure.
• During humanitarian emergency response as per the EPP; develop, disseminate and regularly update safety and security protocols including risk assessment, SOPs (movement & transport, office, warehouse, incident report sheets, etc.), contingency plans for incidents, safe havens and emergency relocation policy.
• Support CIL teams in planning of distributions.

5. Qualifications / special skills or knowledge

a. Skills & knowledge:

• Minimum of First degree related to Humanitarian Work or Risk Management.
• At least 3 years of demonstrative experience in INGO/NGO or UN field (operations) with at least 2 years of field safety management experience included
• Competent and literate in English, verbal and written, with a sound knowledge of technical expressions
• Competent and literate in local language verbal and written, with a sound knowledge of technical expressions.
• Sound judgment and the ability to work effectively with others at all levels.
• Strong assessment, evaluation, analysis and strategic planning skills
• IT literate, MS – Word, Excel and PowerPoint 
• Qualifications and / or experience in professional security related fields
• Knowledge of Security procedures

b. Experience:

At least   1-3  years of relevant experience, especially at NGOs, academic organizations, standard-setting bodies, public agencies focused on Capacity Building and Training, Administrative and Logistics Support, project and Program Management, Policy Analysis and Advocacy, Communications and Public Information,

c. Academic background:

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or at least 3 years comparable related experience.  2 to 3 years of experience in non-profit organisations.

Potential experience on SS Natural Disaster management it would be a plus.

Advanced level of understanding of various communications technologies, radio systems, satellite phones, cell phones, etc. 

Solid training skills and the ability to develop and implement successful training sessions.

d.Languages: English and/ or Arabic are the working language of CARE International in Lebanon.

Knowledge of other languages is an asset.

6. Other contract elements

Benefits: Social security/Health Insurance & Transport allowance.

The direct supervisor reserves the right to adapt this job description at any time during employment according to needs.

Any extension of this contract is dependent on performance review and funding availability.

PSEA and Save Guarding Child policy

CARE International in Lebanon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

CARE International in Lebanon and its employees and stakeholders abide by the CARE International Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding Policies.