Regional Security Advisor – Syria and Iraq

Contract duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension Country Programme: Syria & Iraq Base: Erbil (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) with travel within the region Line Manager: Syria Country Director

Starting date: ASAP

About the Programme:

People in Need (PIN) delivers assistance in complex environments in Northern Syria, addressing the needs of IDPs and host communities in several sector such as food security, education and WASH. PIN is well-established organization with several field offices, direct implementation and more than 700 employees in the region and an annual budget in excess of $55m for its Syria response.

Summary:

The scope of the role is to provide analysis, coordination, and support to the Country Director (CD) and Area Directors (ADs) on managing key safety and security hazards within a large operational humanitarian programme. The candidate is expected to provide balanced and well-informed analysis to complement local perspectives and to ensure risks are identified, mitigated and monitored. The role requires working across a large team and the candidate will be required to show excellent communication and relationship-building skills, working proactively under a remit agreed with the Country Director.

This role is part of the Iraq & Syria Country Management Teams. Regular travel within the region is required.

The role oversees safety and security for expats based in Iraqi Kurdistan (KRI). They will work with the Iraq Country Director to promote awareness of the context and risks, to provide advice on non-work travel within KRI and ensure that exposure to risk for both work and non-work travel remains within acceptable limits.

In the event of a major security incident the candidate will provide advice and support to existing management structures, utilizing expert understanding of the context as well as PINs procedures and principles.

Duties and responsibilities:

Provide timely, accurate and balanced analysis and advice (30%)

• Develop and maintain excellent understanding of national and regional developments in the political and socio-economic context. Highlight relevant trends or events to Country Management Staff.
• Provide advice to the Country Directors and Area Directors on the (potential) impact of these trends on operations and programming
• Assist hubs with analysis when considering any strategic changes in programming which present complex environments, such as moves to new areas of operation.
• Assisting in crisis response where required.

Developing and reviewing safety and security documentation (30%)

• Ensure the completion of required safety and security documentation, including security management plans, checklists, and SOPs.
• Help to formulate and review SOPs and contingency plans in coordination with other key staff
• To innovate smarter and more effective ways of managing security through the use of mapping and shared resources
• Carry out Security Audits to ensure adherence to regional and global PIN requirements.
• Review implementation of key policies and SOPs.

Capacity Development (20%)

• Provide training and support to staff on how to monitor, analyze and present trends effectively manner
• Work with hub-based staff to address any gaps highlighted in security audits.
• Monitor staff training and ensure new and existing staff meet organizational training requirements in the area of safety and security.

Networks (10%)

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders – including other NGO safety and security focal points and those organizations providing relevant data and analysis.
• Participate in relevant safety and security coordination meetings at a country or regional level.
• Liaising with training providers for HEAT or similar.
• Liaising internally on budgeting for security/access

Other duties as required (10%) – Part of Country Management Team. Works closely with:

• Country Directors for Iraq & Syria
• Area/Deputy/Programme Directors
• Communications and Advocacy staff
• Finance staff (with regard to budgeting for safety/security related matters)
• Logistics staff (for movements)
• Hub-based security managers and access officers

Requirements:

**The successful candidate must be able to gain permission to live and work in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to travel within the wider region. **

Education and Experience

• A Masters’ degree in international relations/politics/development/similar and/or significant professional experience of contextual and political analysis
• Experience living in the MENA region and/or in complex security environments
• Experience working in a coordination role preferably in a large organization

Previous security management or NGO-based experience is beneficial but is not required

Skills

• An excellent understanding of the application of humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality in complex environments.
• Excellent data analysis skills
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). GIS/mapping skills a plus
• An independent thinker able to identify key trends with a fresh perspective
• Excellent written and spoken English. Arabic language skills are a plus.

Qualities

• Calm and professional nature
• Clear verbal communication
• Desire to work in the MENA region
• Excellent interpersonal/relationship building skills
• Strong identification with humanitarian principles
• Good judgement and discretion when dealing with any sensitive information.

People in Need offers:

• Working environment in a well-established and growing humanitarian organization;
• Salary and benefits according to PIN salary scale and HR policies, salary from 3,700 EUR to 3,900 EUR per month (1,200 EUR monthly per diems included);
• 25 days of paid leave annually;
• Travel benefits in the form of two regional flight tickets per year;
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure;
• Accommodation allowance;
• Travel Insurance and 24/7 medical and psychological helpdesk.