Access and Safety Officer – Abala

Medical Teams Calling  

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes.

JOB SUMMARY

The Access and Safety Officer contributes to the calling of Medical Teams by assisting in the implementation of safety, access, and security policies and procedures to support the organization’s operations. This field-based role involves building and maintaining relationships with local authorities and stakeholders, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring staff are trained in access and security protocols to create a safe working environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and maintain professional relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders in project locations to ensure community acceptance and collaboration.
• Create and maintain a network of security contacts and information sources for triangulation purposes.
• Monitor local government requirements and processes for travel and project implementation, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of regulations.
• Administrate access, registration, or movement permission requests for field staff, ensuring necessary letters are obtained and renewed on time.
• Uphold Medical Teams image positively to external stakeholders, highlighting the value and results of its work.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with sector personnel with other local NGOs/UN.
• Attend relevant inter-agency security coordination meetings to stay informed of regional security dynamics as required by the Field Coordinator.
• Conduct desktop and on-the-ground risk assessments for new locations, evaluating risks to staff, beneficiaries, and assets.
• Assess safety and security conditions of potential facilities, reconciling recommendations for necessary improvements.
• Coordinate with Field program staff on how security concerns impact project plans and work implementation.
• Ensure that all vehicles, facilities, and equipment comply with Medical Teams’ security standards, administrating improvements when necessary.
• Uphold the Field Operations Safety and Security Policy, creating recommendations on SOPs, protocols, and practices to mitigate risks.
• Review and update safety and security SOPs regularly, ensuring approval and dissemination across the team.
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of contingency plans, including for crisis management, evacuation, relocation, and medical evacuation.
• Lead and train Field staff in security simulations and drills to ensure preparedness for emergency situations.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate security information from various sources, producing weekly access and security updates.
• Organize and lead regular security briefings for field staff, visitors and stakeholders.
• Maintain a clear and organized filing system for all access and security-related documentation.
• Track and map all security incidents, providing timely analysis to inform security management strategies.
• Ensure staff are checking in and that movement information is recorded and updated regularly.
• Brief new staff on safety procedures and security updates, ensuring regular refresher briefings for existing staff.
• Document and report on security incidents, drafting incident reports promptly for submission to Country Access and Safety Manager and to senior leadership.
• Assist in identifying training needs for staff, leading safety and security training according to the Medical Teams Safety and Security Training Manual.
• Provide regular training and scenario drills on personal security, compound security management, defensive driving, and communications procedures.
• Administrate the line management of the guards, ensuring that they have everything they need to fulfill their role and perform well.
• Promote the conditions for effective teamwork and commitment to Medical Teams’ values and operating principles.
• Lead by example regarding Medical Teams’ safety and security procedures.
• Ensure accountability is integrated into country strategies, program design, monitoring and evaluations, recruitment, staff onboarding, training and performance management, partnership agreements, and highlighted in reporting.
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATIONS

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, Political/Social Science, Military Studies, Management, Law Enforcement or a relevant field.
• Completed Personal Security or Risk Management Training
• Completed First Aid Training

Preferred: 

• Valid driving license.

EXPERIENCE

Required: 

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in a similar role.
• Experience liaising with government authorities.
• Experience of gaining access/project permissions OR experience in a relevant government   department.
• Experience in insecure contexts.
• Experience working in a humanitarian context.
• Experience in conducting security risk assessments.
• Experience in gathering and analyzing security information and recommending appropriate actions.

Preferred:  

• Experience in civilian-military coordination.
• Experience in delivering security training.
• Experience handling security incidents.
• Experience of management / supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience working with INGOs is an added advantage.

Language – Proficiency in Afarigna is an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge: 

• Security Management: Basic understanding of security protocols and risk assessments.
• Understanding of the regional security context.
• Local Regulations: Knowledge of local travel and government regulations.
• Crisis Management: Familiarity with emergency response and evacuation procedures.
• Incident Reporting: Knowledge of security incident documentation and reporting.

Skills: 

• Training: Skills in conducting basic safety and security training.
• Communication: Clear communication in briefings and reports.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify and address security concerns.
• Leadership: Capable of leading security teams and coordinating with others.

Abilities: 

• Adaptability. Ability to adjust to changing security situations.
• Decision-Making: Make quick, informed decisions during security events.
• Collaboration: Work well with local authorities, NGOs, and teams.
• Multitasking: Handle multiple tasks efficiently in a dynamic environment.
• Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy in documentation and security measures.
• Ability to assess security risks in various locations.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS 

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of personal computers, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and computer printers.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 KG.
• Seldom to occasionally position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.