Security Coordinator (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Department Summary

The war in ME continues; more than 11 million people have been displaced from their homes and the number relying on humanitarian assistance continues to grow, in ME and in neighboring countries. With a large and complex portfolio of work across the region, Mercy Corps has established itself as an analytical, strategic and flexible responder, adapting continually to shifting front lines and operational realities to respond effectively and efficiently through multiple modalities with teams across the response region.  Mercy Corps has a large and diverse portfolio of work and a substantial team that works in multiple languages across multiple locations.

Position Summary

The Security Coordinator will support safety and security management and will contribute to quality programming by ensuring situational awareness. S/he will closely track the context and developments in the region and will work closely within the Safety & Security Team to develop analysis, draft procedures and plans, and assist in the handling of incidents. S/he will be the primary focal point for the Mercy Corps’ programs team for security management including incident reporting and provision of real time security support to partners. He/she will also support Mercy Corp’s partners as they develop their own security management systems and plans, as well as capacity build on their understanding of training needs and methods to do so. The individual will also assist in building in their understanding of digital security, and provide guidance. He/she also need to be able to understand and contextualize the needs of the partners to the current security situation on the ground in the areas they operate within the region.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Context/ situation Monitoring and Reporting and Incident Management

• Stay informed about the security and security situation in PSP areas of implementation.
• Act as security focal point for incidents and incident management.
• Assist in partner and crisis management if required.
• Produce analytical notes on recent developments in the region.
• Contribute to maintaining up-to-date mapping on areas of conflict.

Program Support

• Liaise with the Safety & Security Director in order to transmit specific threats warnings.
• Identify trends in areas of implementation to inform program design and implementation, contribute to the analysis of access and needs.
• Monitor and update triggers for emergency response in selected areas.
• Contribute to donor reporting and proposal developments
• Assess community monitors operational and contextual risks and determine related risk mitigation measures, including security of data and communication.  
• Provide support and security recommendations during the development of partner projects.

Capacity Development

• Develop and maintain assessment tools to identify partners’ gaps in security capacity.
• Develop partner security management capacity.
• Develop tools and template to support partner capacity development.
• Provide personal security training for partners.
• Supervise implementation of security mitigation measures for partners and community monitors.
• Work with the programs team to assist in development of risk assessments for all new partner projects, providing security management and communication protocols oversight.
• Regularly meet and communicate with partners to ensure implementation of security mitigation measures and other documentation.
• Support partners to develop safety and security plans, including data security.
• Strengthen partner organizations’ capacities’ on best communication practices.

Other

• Ensure staff follow relevant security protocols in Lebanon
• Provide briefing and support for all new staff and visitors in Lebanon
• Develop and oversee the implementation of office contingency plans and ensure relevant security protocols are followed
• Report any relevant security concerns to senior managers.
• Ensure community monitors profiling.
• Update PSP security management plan every 6 months.
• Identify gaps/weaknesses in communications security.

Organizational Learning:

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Accountability

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:      Safety & Security Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:     Partners, Safety & Security Officer, PSP team, Capacity Development Team

COLLABORATES WITH:     Mercy Corps Lebanon Security Manager, Program, HAT

Knowledge and Experience

• Strong understanding of security management.
• Strong understanding of local dynamics and authorities in ME.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills
• Experience of NGO and humanitarian agencies.
• Experience of managing security capacity development trainings.
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly regarding liaison and training competencies.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles.
• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Computer literate; strong MS-Excel and MS Word skills.
• Good spoken and written English and Arabic.
• Conscientious with an excellent sense of judgment.
• Strong organizational skills, and ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks.
• Knowledge of data security best practices.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have the ability to identify and communicate security trends to departmental management in a way that effectively increases our safety, security and informs programming in a practical manner. Maintaining strong, cooperative relationships across departments is crucial. S/he will be able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment. S/he will be a self-starter, take initiative and offer to assist in decision making processes that could benefit from a safety/security perspective.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

N/A

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.