Access Officer Full Time

JOB SUMMARY

The Access Officer (AO) will assist in the development and application of access, safety and security management policies and procedures in Medical Teams’ operations. The AO is responsible for interacting with the relevant authorities and stakeholders in office and project locations on a day-to-day basis in order to gain and maintain community acceptance. Work will include Risk Assessments, liaison with community/government stakeholders, and ensuring that all staff are trained in access, safety and security standard operating procedures. The AO will report to the Regional Field Coordinator/Country Access and Safety Manager and will work closely with other team members to cultivate a good safety culture.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for ensuring the technical supervision and mentorship of HR Officers across all off

A.LIAISION WITH GOVERNMENT/AUTHORITIES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

• Develop good professional relationships with relevant authorities, community leaders, project communities and stakeholders.
• Ensure that Medical Teams has a wide network of security contacts and sources of information for triangulation and maintain these relationships.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of government requirements and processes for travel and project implementation.
• Administer and coordinate access, registration, or movement permission requests as needed. Ensure staff have necessary letters for movements and that these are renewed on time.
• Promote positive perceptions of Medical Teams’ work by highlighting the value, standards and result of Medical Teams work when liaison with external stakeholder.

INTER-AGENCY REPRESENTATION

• Build positive working relationships with sector-related personnel of other NGOs/UN.
• Attend relevant inter-agency security coordination meetings.

RISK ASSESSMENTS

• Conduct desktop and on-ground Risk Assessments for all new locations, helping to evaluate risks to staff, beneficiaries or Medical Teams assets.
• Assess all potential facilities as it relates to safety and security, making recommendations on safety of location and security additions needed.
• Identify, map and assess all program sites prior to use and when needed, manage security at site.
• Ensure and regularly reassess that vehicles, facilities and equipment are compliant with Medical Teams’ standards. Advise and where necessary implement improvements.
• Co-ordinate with program staff in implementation of project plans and how these relate to security.

POLICIES, MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES

• Uphold the Field Operations Safety and Security Policy.
• Make recommendations on SOPs, protocols and practices to reduce staff risk and vulnerability.
• Regularly review the safety and security SOPs (on offices, accommodation, warehouses and the personal security of staff etc). Ensure revised Safety and Security Instructions, policies and procedures are approved, publicised and implemented across the team.
• Ensure that contingency plans for Crisis Management, Evacuation, Relocation, Hibernation, and Medical Evacuation are in place, disseminated and adopted amongst staff, including regular simulations.
• Ensure that security procedures are understood and respected at all times and support the Head of Base in taking the right steps in case of non-compliance to rectify the situation.

ACCESS INFORMATION COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

• Research and analyse security dynamics in project areas from a variety of local and national sources in order to produce weekly access and security updates.
• Lead regular and ad hoc security meetings/briefings.
• Maintain a clear centralized filing system of access and security-related documents.
• Systematically map all incidents and provide timely analysis to identify emerging trends and inform future security management.
• Lead on movement tracking, ensuring staff are checking in and information is recorded.
• Ensure all new staff have thorough briefing on SOPs and areas of operation, and existing staff have refresher briefing on new incidents before travel.
• Ensure learning from reviews, evaluations and audits are understood and disseminated to field and senior managers.

SAFETY AND SECURITY INCIDENTS

• Scenario plan most likely incidents and ensure Medical Teams is ready to respond.
• Security focal point for incidents and coordination of response as directed by the Head of Base.
• Draft all incident reports in a timely manner and submit to the Country Leader.

   

SAFETY AND SECURITY TRAINING

• Assist in defining training needs, lead training according to the Medical Teams Safety and Security Training Manual, and identifying external trainers as needed.
• Provide regular training and scenario drills for all international and national staff on issues such as personal security, compound security management, defensive driving, communications procedures, contingency drills.

   

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Line management of the guards, ensuring that they have everything they need to fulfil their role and perform well.
• Promote the conditions for effective teamwork and commitment to Medical Teams values and operating principles.
• Lead by example with regard to Medical Teams’ safety and security procedures.

Safeguarding: –

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

Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATION

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

   

EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience in a similar role
• Experience liaising with government authorities
• Experience of gaining access/project permissions OR experience in a relevant government department
• Understanding of the regional security context
• 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

Desirable:-

• Experience in civilian-military coordination
• Experience in delivering security training
• Experience handling security incidents
• Experience of management / supervisory responsibilities
• Experience in Amhara region

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

• In-depth knowledge of the local security context
• In-depth knowledge of Ethiopian laws and local customs
• In-depth knowledge of local government systems and key stakeholders
• Knowledge of humanitarian operations; knowledge of emergency operations is an added advantage

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current government procedures applicable to INGOs working on humanitarian responses
• Report writing & presentation skills
• Good administration skills
• Excellent Training skills
• Excellent organizational abilities

PERSONAL QUALTIES

• Humanitarian motivation
• Emotionally and spiritually mature
• Team player – practical, desire to support the field teams.
• Willingness to pitch in and get the job done
• Understanding and sensitivity to cross cultural issues
• Flexible and adaptable to ever changing environments
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Able to build new relationships and gain people’s trust quickly
• Integrity in representing Medical Teams
• Willing to travel to insecure environments

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

This position requires frequent travel to health facilities located in remote areas with very basic living conditions.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

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