Security and Laison Officer Full Time

Médecins du Monde (MdM) or Doctors of the World is an international humanitarian organization that provides medical care and support to vulnerable populations around the world. Founded in 1980, the organization’s mission is to ensure access to healthcare for all, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. MdM operates in over 40 countries including Ethiopia, delivering medical aid in crisis zones, conflict-affected areas, and areas of extreme poverty. Our teams of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, work tirelessly to provide essential medical services, emergency relief, and long-term healthcare programs.MDM–France invites qualified candidates to apply for the following position :

Under direct supervision of the Field Coordinator, the Security and Liaison officer is responsible for ensuring the security of the MdM premises, staff, partners, and beneficiaries as well as creating, maintaining, and relationships with local authorities and communities in MdM intervention areas to improve acceptance and the knowledge of MdM activities.

Essential duties and responsibilities.

Regional/local authorities

• Develop and maintain an effective communication and good relationship with regional local authorities (RHB, RFB, etc.) of Tigray and Afar regions as well as with other actors, to help and facilitate MdM’s operations in both regions
• Liaise with MdM departments and the involved authorities to obtaining documents necessary for smooth operations (MoUs, reports, etc.)
• Ensure all administrative and legal obligations are fulfilled at regional level and local level for registration, movement, transportation etc.
• Ensure updated knowledge of regulatory requirements and existence of updated administrative processes explaining documents according to regulations and procedures from the authorities
• Keep base/coordination team updated about any modifications and information in the procedures and the legal context, guidelines etc.
• Make necessary communication documents needed as per Field Coordinator requests and the mission needs.
• Conduct any other task assigned by Field Coordinator.

Context and Security

• Maintain updated information on the context in the areas of intervention.
• Maintain close coordination with other NGO’s security Focal Points.
• Update the team about security/context in the intervention areas.
• Identify a contact list (from authority, security entities, community leaders, health facility staff, district office staff, local council …etc.) that can be used in case of having problem in the field/check points, to ensure safe access during implementation of MDM medical activities.
• Provide day to day security update to the Field Coordinator and the program staff.
• Update and develop the specific location security’s SOP.
• Maintain updated security management tools for the areas of intervention.
• Conduct regular Safety Risk Assessments and create/update risk analysis with participation of MDM national and international staff.
• Assist in training the office staff on MdM security rules and regulation.
• Provide induction security brief for the international staff upon their arrival as well as for the newly recruited national staff.
• Provide regular support for MdM staff on security preparedness, prevention, and response. Support may include SOPs; Contingency Plans (CPs); Security Management; Incident Reporting; Prevention and Response Mechanisms; and Communications.
• Identify security/safety barriers to access and support the program teams and develop strategies to address.
• Develop and update list of contacts and stakeholder map per district.
• Share with Field Coordinator the cross checking of information and give analysis of the context/situation and the possible scenarios.

Field networking and follow-up of field team movements

• Create and maintain a field network at community level to make sure that MdM activities are well accepted and report any changing.
• Ensure the acquisition of necessary permissions for shipment or staff movement.
• Participate in the validation of team field visits through an update of the Field Coordinator.
• Support the base/coordination team in the need assessment in the new areas.

In the field during the implementation of activities

• Lead coordination with authority for handling non-technical matters, (e.g., checkpoints)
• Take lead in introducing the MdM team and its intervention to the target community.
• To establish networks and maintain good relationships with the communities and focal persons.
• Identify possible places for team hibernation in the field.
• Ensure security communication backup in case of coverage failure.
• Carry out the actors mapping in both areas of intervention and maintain information about the influential actors.

Reporting and attending different meetings

• Prepare weekly activities report and submit it to the Field Coordinator
• Participate actively in MdM internal meetings (general, admin, …)
• Participate in all relevant access and security meetings.

Other

• Be flexible in performing his/her duties.
• Inform immediately the security focal point in case of any security problem
• Perform other additional duties on request of the Field Coordinator or General Coordinator

Candidates from Tigray or Afar and with previous experience of working in both regions will be preferred.

Duty station: Abala Woreda – Afar and Samre Woreda – Tigray

Employment Term: 6 months contract

Reported to:Field Coordinator

Required positions: 1 (One)

Deadline to apply: April 17, 2025

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, humanitarian affairs, business administration, or relevant areas.

Professional experience

• 2-3 years’ experience in managing liaison and security responsibilities preferably with INGO.
• Specific training in security management is an asset
• Knowledge/experience of Office 365, SharePoint/cloud systems
• Use of tracking and mapping mobile applications
• Knowledge of data protection methods.

Skills and Qualities Required

• Capacity to work and to live in a multicultural environment
• Ability to cope with last minutes changes and solution oriented
• Listening and diplomacy skills.

Required Personal Skills

• Independence, ability to take the initiative and of responsibility
• Ability to work under stressful situations.
• Good analysis, objective, able to take a step back and analyze.
• Communication – listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience
• Capacity to delegate, supervise and coach the work
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills in day-to-day and crisis situations
• Ability to plan, organize, and meet deadlines.
• Adaptability to changing priorities.

Languages

• Fluent English essential, including excellent English writing skills
• Local candidates with proficiency in both Afarigna and Tigrigna will be preferred.