Вакансія: Field Security Officer, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

HEKS/EPER actively seeks an experienced professional to fill the position of Field Security Officer for Ukraine mission. Working closely with the security department, the position is mission critical.  As an essential employee, the role must be performed in-country (Ukraine) with duty station located in Zaporizhzhia. 

This is an URGENT HIRE position that rapidly supports ongoing challenges posed by both regional and situational fluctuations in the current Ukraine crisis following the Russian invasion of 24th Feb. 2022; increased risks must be managed to provide ample safety and security for both the growing HEKS/EPER Ukraine staff and mission activities.

The FSO provides a high level of security support to all HEKS/EPER offices, operations, business trips and personnel. The FSO is included in the mission to provide informational analysis that supports HEKS/EPER staff throughout the country. During emergencies the FSO will take responsibility for the appropriate reaction, included the evacuation of all staff.

The FSO will work closely with HEKS/EPER Operations team, but under the Security department authority, and assist in developing security plans and policies relevant to the project including detailed security procedures as instructed.

Job Summary:

The FSO works directly with the Security Coordinator (SC) to fulfill HEKS/EPER core mission in and to the extent possible, safely and securely providing humanitarian aid to the populations most affected within Ukraine. With the security team, the FSO helps the organization understand the context in the region and how to best mitigate risks, with direct involvement in information collection, data input, analysis, reporting, and liaison with various authorities as needed, among other tasks. Moreover, the position supports SC in the management of a sound information driven network.

Tasks and responsibilities

(The below-mentioned list of responsibilities is not exhaustive: flexibility is mandatory and diverse tasks maybe requested to adapt to operational needs, like covering other areas during the leave of a department colleague).

• Collect and verify information (incidents, events, escalating conflict/crisis) related to the protection of HEKS/EPER integrity, and safety of HEKS/EPER Ukraine mission activities and staff throughout all operating areas and locations.
• Manage and update databases to ensure the organizations’ SOPs, on-site records are accurate, complete and safe.
• Work closely with the Security Coordinator and department to analyze the operating environment and identify trends; as needed, contribute to/generate weekly security briefs distributed to all HEKS/EPER Ukraine staff.
• Report on all collected situational information; assist in the completion of,  preparation and distribution of regular reports, area/field assessments, and other documents deemed pertinent per Ukraine CD and HQ. 
• Attend regular weekly humanitarian coordination meetings; if necessary, attend other meetings involving parties such as but not limited to, partner NGOs and local authorities, all of whom help the security team remain up-to-date on immediate/overall threats, local cautions, and that which allows for conducting sound humanitarian activities for the Ukraine mission.
• Aid the SC in compiling data into useful products for statistical references, visual data aids, training guides, and maps both confidential and those to be collectively shared with HEKS/EPER Ukraine colleagues.
• Work to identify security vulnerabilities, and aid the SC in performing office/field location/warehouse evaluations.
• As directed by SC, participate in security awareness and on-boarding staff trainings, maintain and monitor daily communication channels with Ukraine field teams for achieving full and robust awareness.
• Work with the SC and security team in assessing time-sensitive decisions and assess regional risks.
• Help the security team prevent & detect any/all fraud, corruption, or unlawful actions that could impair, endanger or jeopardize HEKS/EPER Ukraine mission and staff safety-security.
• Support the SC and other security colleagues in planning trips to various field locations, approve/submit travel report documents on routine basis.
• Provide active support in writing/revising/editing finalization of Security Plans and Procedures including creation of templates.
• When possible, liaise with other parties to develop HEKS activities.
• Provide support and informative guidance to HEKS/EPER Ukraine staff at all mission supported locations, during evacuation, and if needed relocation (includes preventive and reactive evacuations).
• Provide full-scale critical support according to emergency / crisis situation.
• Use the required security equipment at all times in compliance with policies.
• Remain engaged at all times, accept and adapt to fluctuating conditions, instability and change, act accordingly.
• Support future operations in relation to applicable development and prospection.
• Record all data as it improves and protects HEKS/EPER Ukraine mission facilities and real-time field team sites; prioritize field assessments/reports for continual resilience in situational awareness.
• Assist in generation of SOP for Security and other departments as directed by Security Coordinator and Ukraine CD.
• Monitor and enforce security protocols and standards at all HEKS/EPER Ukraine location sites.With the security team and SC, build and maintain healthy professional working relations among all international and national staff that fosters clear safety measures, open door policy and effective security integration per interconnected workflows, throughout all HEKS/EPER Ukraine mission departments

NOTA BENE: this Job Description may reasonably evolve and it is understood that the Security Officer would accept such reasonable evolutions

Knowledge, Skills, Experience:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the following: Field Operations, Security Studies, International Relations, Conflict Studies, Political Science, Communications or equivalent discipline
• Professional working proficiency/Native Fluency in Russian / Ukrainian (verbal and written); Knowledge of English an asset
• Experience in working with international organizations/NGOs, with emphasis on operating in high risk areas and conflict zones
• Willingness to travel in region, visit field locations throughout Ukraine as needed; position requires to remain in-country – Ukraine,
• Possess a good understanding of NGO security/best practices; a willingness to learn and undergo required training and adhere to outlined requirements
• A proven ability to develop and maintain working relationships with partners and staff
• Excellent computer skills; knowledge of windows and MS Office programs
• Capacity to respectfully and professionally work in multicultural settings
• Able to work as a team and independently with minimum supervision, thrives to maintain a high level of engagement

Preferred:

• Previous experience with or demonstrated capacity to learn how to work with data analytic tools and open source information
• Comfortable operating in extreme threat landscapes, calmly manages high stress and volatile situations
• Previous experience working in a security and/or hazardous environment, including but not limited to private security, government and military
• CBRNE related background and training
• Prior experience with negotiations and conflict resolution

Personal Attributes:

Required:

  – Discreet, high integrity, and functions with a conflict-of-interest prevention mindset

  – Self-Motivated, respectful, courteous, and possesses humility

  – Good team spirit and above average management of interpersonal relationships

  – Excellent active listening, open communication, transparency and trustworthy

  – Meticulous perceptive planner, keen eye for small details but considers big picture     

  – Strong organization skills

  – Culturally sensitive

  – Flexible/adaptable, dynamic and attentive; out-of-box thinker who takes initiative 

  – Ability to rally others when needed using effective communication strategies

  – Thrives under pressure, NOT complacent

Specific objectives and linked activities

• Support in establishing field operations in target location
• Ensure regular communication with the community and maintenance of local networks
• Follow and report on contextual developments
• Prepare all details for staff evacuation

Posting period:

From 27.08.2022- 09.09.2022 (extension of the competition)

Qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter in English to [email protected]. Only short-listed candidates will receive notice requesting additional information.