Senior Officer, Security

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 5 million people have fled to other countries. IFRC has launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work. This position is based in the current location of the IFRC Ukraine country delegation ( Kyiv). The Security Officer integrates into the security team of the country delegation and will work with the IFRC Security Coordinator to ensure that the Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR) are implemented and enforced.

Job Purpose

To assist the Security Coordinator in managing all matters related to Security Management countrywide in Ukraine (geography of responsibilities will be defined as per evolving situation in Ukraine). Assist the Security Coordinator in coordinating effective security processes and procedures that aim to further improve the IFRC’s overall security management in the Delegation/Operation and National Societies working or operating under the IFRC`s security management (cooperating with military, security agencies and law enforcement agencies such as Territorial Centres of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR & SS) , Foreign Affairs, police). To be focal point and accountable for the national staff as of Military reservation process.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

COOPERATION WITH MILITARY, SECURITY and LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES (45% of allocated time)

1. Facilitate the process of applying for military exemptions for IFRC and integrated PNS male national staff, in accordance with the IFRC Guidelines on implementing the exemption process for IFRC’s national staff subject to military service during mobilization and martial law, as well as relevant legislative procedures.
2. Follow up on the status of the application with the relevant authorities and provide updates to the applicants.
3. Track the expiration dates of the granted military exemptions and apply for renewals in a timely manner.
4. Facilitate the cancellation of the military exemption in the event of the resignation of the exempted staff member.
5. Prepare and submit quarterly reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the number of granted military exemptions.
6. Establish and maintain a security network of internal and external contacts
7. Participate in relevant meetings both internally and externally, e.g. with Ukrainian Red Cross, ICRC, PNS, UN Security and local authorities and communities.
8. Ensure that this security network is well documented to facilitate military exemption of IFRC National Staff. servants)
9. Collaborating with the IFRC Senior Legal officer, provide information (timeframes of applying, military reservation expiration dates etc.), for IFRC National Staff in updating their registration for military documents, and to take necessary steps for reservation applications.
10. Provide the National Staff of IFRC with information about the list of necessary documents for reservation.
11. Constantly monitor changes in Ukrainian legislation regarding mobilization and conscription, and timely communicate to the management the consequences for IFRC national staff
12. Support in-person and other outreach to Territorial Centers about the IFRC’s exemption entitlements for its staff and humanitarian mandate, including in time-sensitive individual cases.
13. Follow up all cases related to the detention of IFRC national staff by Territorial Centres of Recruitment or police.
14. Coordinates and provide necessary information support IFRC personnel in interactions with host government security organizations and/or personnel, including local military authorities and police officers.
15. Accompanies IFRC national staff to Territorial Centres if someone receives a conscription notice while military reservation is under process.
16. Ensures that notifications regarding military exemptions for IFRC National Staff are properly delivered to the Territorial Centers of Recruitment and followed up accordingly.
17. Provides consultation to IFRC male national staff on the documents required for military exemption.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

1. SECURITY PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES (55 % of allocated time)

   1. Responsible for receiving, entering and follow up on security incident data in consultation with the Security Coordinator.
   2. Support the Security Coordinator in the development and regular updates of IFRC Delegation’s Security Rules and Protocols.
   3. Support the Security Coordinator in ensuring compliance with IFRC Delegation Security Rules and Protocols.
   4. Provide advice and consult with the Security Coordinator in addressing national security incidents
   5. Provide assistance in security matters in case of an emergency and/or in case of ongoing security incident to the IFRC, the URCS, and/or other Movement partners under IFRC security umbrella trough Integration agreement or any other relevant agreements.
   6. Conduct regular Field Security Assessments in Ukraine as instructed by the Security Coordinator and provide detailed Assessment Reports to the Security Coordinator including analysis on potential impact on IFRC staff and assets.
   7. Ensure all field movement are monitored (mission orders, field trip form, staff reports through phone or other means)
   8. Provide newly arrived delegates, newly employed local staff and visitors from abroad with up-to-date security briefing. Take part, facilitate or organize security training for URCS volunteers in west oblasts.
   9. Maintain a good working relationship with the staff of IFRC, PNS’s, the ICRC, the URCS, and with Government authorities (military, police, civil and the government agencies) as required
   10. Provide daily update to the Security Coordinator on national security issues through monitoring the various media (TV, radio and daily Papers) in local language as well as the English versions. Be able to set up an information gathering network and disseminate significant security information to Security Coordinator daily.
   11. Prepare written weekly and monthly security report for Security Coordinator and Global Security Unit GVA.
   12. Understudy and in due course be well prepared to act in the absence of the Security Delegate or Coordinator.
   13. Other tasks as may be assigned by the Security Coordinator when required.

   Duties applicable to all staff

   Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals

   Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

   Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

   Support the Implementation of IFRC Minimum Security Requirements (MSR)Report any internal/external security related incident to the Security Coordinator in accordance with IFRC security incident procedures and established protocolProcess documentation for internal security incident on the appropriate report-format to the Global Security Unit in Geneva in consultation with the Security Coordinator.

Education

Required

University degree in Law or Public Administration

Experience

Required

– Min 5 years’ experience in a similar role preferably with an INGO/NATO/UN/Military/Law

– Previous military service in Ukraine with a rank of officer or higher

– Experience of relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IFRC at forums with external stakeholders including government authorities, military, police, security agencies and law enforcement agencies, organization

Preferred

– Field experience in humanitarian security work

– At least 2 years’ experience working with a RC/RC Movement or another organization with similar field of operations

– Experience in civil-military coordination, in the military forces, or law enforcement

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

– Sharing the RC/RC principles and values

– Good oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly & persuasively with senior internal stakeholders

– Strong reactiveness and availability

– Proven proficiency in conducting legal research, utilizing various resources, and interpreting legislative instruments to draft accurate legal documents

– Strong analytical skills in political, socioeconomics and security areas

– Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and to attend meetings with high ranked local authorities. Ability to travel within Ukraine

– Diplomacy and Tact

– Good stress management skills

– Self supporting in computers [Windows, Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.]

– Valid driving license (Light vehicles)

 

Competencies, Values and Comments

– Ability to work towards achieving objectives and results

– Ability to convince and gain acceptance

– Ability to communicate effectively

– Ability to be solution oriented