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Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Officer (HASSO)

The Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Officer (HASSO) is responsible for facilitating the safety and security of International Rescue Committee (IRC) personnel, assets, and operations in the Gambella Field Office. The role focuses on monitoring security situations, supporting humanitarian access, implementing security management plans, conducting risk assessments, coordinating incident management, and ensuring compliance with IRC safety and security frameworks and humanitarian principles.

The position works under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator and technical supervision of the Country Office Safety and Security Manager. The role supports the maintenance, improvement, and expansion of principled humanitarian access for populations affected by conflict, refugees, and internally displaced persons while ensuring staff safety and operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Access, Safety & Security Planning and Documentation

• Evaluate, review, and update field-level security management plans, security risk assessments (SRA), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other security documents in line with IRC’s Security Management Framework.
• Work with stakeholders to develop, consolidate, and implement security procedures and contingency plans.
• Conduct regular and participatory security risk analyses.
• Review and update hibernation and evacuation plans and ensure staff are aware of emergency procedures.
• Ensure all safety and security documents are updated and operational.
• Support implementation and review of acceptance strategies.
• Provide guidance on inclusive visibility strategies to enhance IRC’s acceptance within communities and among stakeholders.
• Provide technical input during assessments for new programs and geographic expansion.

2. Office Compound, Warehouse and Guest House Security, Safety and Facility Management

• Ensure availability of valid fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and fire exit signs at IRC facilities.
• Conduct security assessments for office locations during office setup or rental processes.
• Ensure emergency, contingency, and evacuation plans are available, updated, and communicated to staff.
• Ensure security guards follow appropriate access control procedures, including visitor registration and gate pass management.

3. Incident Reporting and Management

• Ensure safety and security incidents are reported according to IRC standards.
• Maintain and regularly update security incident databases.
• Review and maintain contingency plans for incident management, evacuation, hibernation, and field movements.
• Report and follow up on safety and security incidents promptly and accurately.

4. Movement and Travel Management

• Ensure field movements comply with IRC movement protocols and authorization requirements.
• Establish communication systems for tracking staff movements in coordination with supply chain and fleet teams.
• Coordinate humanitarian convoy movements with relevant organizations.
• Ensure vehicles are equipped with first aid kits, seatbelts, and required safety equipment.
• Provide security clearance, route updates, and security information for drivers.
• Assess communication networks and security conditions along travel routes.
• Support incident reporting and response procedures.
• Provide training on Road Traffic Accident (RTA) procedures.
• Ensure drivers understand travel and movement SOPs and maintain updated emergency contact lists.

5. Training and Capacity Building

• Identify staff training needs and provide training on incident reporting, SOPs, negotiation skills, and security procedures.
• Maintain records of security training provided to staff.
• Conduct security briefings for visitors and new staff.
• Provide ongoing training for drivers, guards, and other staff as required.

6. Coordination, Liaison and Networking

• Establish and maintain relationships with local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, security actors, and other stakeholders.
• Support program teams in building community acceptance and humanitarian access.
• Promote awareness and acceptance of IRC’s mission and activities among stakeholders.
• Support the development and maintenance of stakeholder contact lists, analyses, and humanitarian access profiles.
• Participate in NGO security networks and contribute to collective security analysis.
• Support context analysis, actor mapping, and humanitarian access assessments.
• Develop and maintain security focal point networks across IRC offices and locations.

7. Context Understanding and Reporting

• Monitor security information sources and report incidents and trends affecting humanitarian access.
• Identify emerging threats, assess vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate responses.
• Prepare and share daily security reports (DSR) and weekly security updates.
• Support continuous monitoring of the operational environment.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Promote initiatives that strengthen team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion.
• Encourage learning, open communication, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding practices.
• Promote IRC values and compliance with organizational policies.

Qualifications

• University Degree or Higher National Diploma in Social Sciences, Peace and Security, International Relations, Humanitarian Studies, Risk Management, or related fields.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of related experience for Bachelor’s degree holders.
• Minimum of 1 year of related experience for postgraduate degree holders.
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience for diploma holders.
• At least 1 year of senior management experience.
• Previous NGO experience is an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of humanitarian access, safety, and security management.
• Strong assessment, evaluation, analysis, and planning skills.
• Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and internet applications.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work professionally with people from diverse cultural, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of historical and socio-political contexts is desirable.
• Flexibility and willingness to work long hours when required.

Language Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic.
• Knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

Skills Required: Political / Science / Ir, Social / Science / Project / Management / Development