The IRC restarted operations in Sudan in November 2019 after successfully obtaining re-registration in Khartoum with the transitional government and launching initial programs to support displaced populations in urban settings around Khartoum. 

Sudan is currently experiencing multiple challenges that include macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts and displacement, protracted refugee situations, IDPs crisis, natural disasters, as well as any pandemic. The result of this crisis is large-scale humanitarian need across the country, leaving an estimated 25 million people in need.  Since 2019, fighting in Sudan has intensified, and more IDPs have been moving to more secure states such as the River Nile, leading to further worsening the humanitarian need. 

In response to growing needs in recent months, the IRC has established a fully functional country program following on the work initially done through the emergency response team and expanded humanitarian activities in the east and north of the country in response to the humanitarian crisis. The IRC currently has field bases in Gadaref, Damazine, Khartoum (Omdurman), Dallang, Madani, Atbarah, Kosti, and the head office in Port Sudan, and is looking to expand in program scale, scope, and geographic support over the coming months.

Scope of work

The IRC is seeking a Humanitarian Access and Security Officer  (HASO) for its Sudan Country Program with a duty station in Khartoum State, Omdurman, covering its program locations. The HASO will work within the Humanitarian Access and Security Unit to ensure that organizational security policies and procedures are responsive to the context, are contextually appropriate and known to staff, and will advise on humanitarian access processes and approaches in close coordination with program teams.

Reporting directly to the Field Senior Coordinator (Field Snr Co.) with technical supervision from the Humanitarian Access and Security Senior Coordinator (HASC), the HASO will implement IRC Safety & Security management measures, as well as support providing contextual analysis and understanding to decision makers and engage with key stakeholders to gain and maintain humanitarian access to those most in need. The HASO will prioritize the humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care, and the IRC’s strategy action plans for the Area of Responsibility in their work.

The HASO will conduct onsite briefings for staff, support the development and implementation of appropriate plans, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans. She/he will support in providing expert humanitarian security and access advice to all levels of IRC staff across the program, including building relationships, negotiating and mediating humanitarian access, contextual understanding, conflict analysis, advisories, and incident management.

Reporting relationships and coordination:

• Reports to: Khartoum and River Nile Field Snr Co., and technical supervision for the Humanitarian Access and Security Senior Coordinator (HASC). 
• Supervises: Security Guards and other Security staff as necessary as the program expands.

Key Interfaces: Program Team, Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator, and other relevant staff as necessary with program expansion

Safety and Security Management

• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in providing technical support to the Programs and the wider team on all policies, procedures, guidelines, and planning for staff safety, operational security, and program continuity.

• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in evaluating, reviewing, and updating security management plans on a regular basis, and ensure compliance with the IRC Security Management Framework within the SMP and all annexes.
• Support the Field Snr Co. and HASC in working with key stakeholders to develop, consolidate, and implement operating procedures and contingency plans.
• Support Field Snr Co. and HASC in evaluating, reviewing, and updating the hibernation and evacuation plans for IRC sites in Khartoum state, and ensure that practical preparations are in place and known to all relevant staff.
• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in conducting risk assessments of contracted and prospective offices and residences, and follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in undertaking continual assessments of equipment, and the protocols by which that equipment is used, to ensure that minimal conditions for security are being met.
• Implement best possible solutions for the use of equipment to facilitate communication between staff, including proposing safe alternative means of communication and equipment.
• Follow up on actions to be taken to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in ensuring safety and security protocols, reporting mechanisms, and capacity building initiatives account for gender-specific risks, staff profiles, and background, and are sensitive to local contexts.

Networking and Liaison

• Monitor and provide support and reporting on NGO field security initiatives, as required.

• Work to ensure that IRC its mission, and work in all areas of operation are known and accepted.

• Work to encourage stakeholders to collaborate with IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and given permission to continue humanitarian activities in Khartoum State.

• Liaise with relevant security actors e.g., NGO security staff, UN, Security forces, local community stakeholders and local authorities.

Context Understanding and Reporting

• Compile and submit regular reports that track incidents and trends in humanitarian access and local security contexts within IRC’s areas of operations.
• Submit daily contextual updates as needed to the relevant field and program management staff.
• Work closely with IRC field management teams to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately. Ensure that final incident reports are provided when IRC is closing the case.
• Monitor the operating environment in the state, identify new threats, assess IRC vulnerabilities, and recommend possible responses.
• Coordinate regularly with the HASC on safety and security, and fulfill reporting requirements to the respective office(s) as well as other locations of IRC interest.
• Provide credible information and contextual understanding of localized and country-wide security situations and incidents, along with appropriate advice to IRC field and program management staff.

Program Development

• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in advising program staff developing conflict-sensitive and contextually appropriate approaches in Khartoum state.
• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in participating in program review meetings and contribute to implementation plans to ensure the timely, safe, and secure delivery of IRC service to beneficiaries.
• Support the Field Snr Co. & HASC in advising program and field management teams on context-specific risks pertaining to humanitarian access, safety, and security, and contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation measures and plans.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• If applicable, coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit, and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• If applicable, as required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with IRC Staff Employment Policies.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Education: Graduation from a higher education facility in a relevant subject is preferred; however, secondary education and significant professional experience will be considered.

Work Experience:

• Demonstrable experience of civilian, non-profit, or NGO work experience within international humanitarian assistance programs, having undertaken planning, organizing, and executing security operations in the field.
• Experience of obtaining information on local, national, and international development, and providing clear, dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur (both written and verbal).

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Skilled in providing support to large-scale, fast-paced, responsive field programs.
• Situational awareness and analysis skills.
• Solid ability to provide team-building, coaching, and development for staff, as well as encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the use of communications technology, including satellite communications, cell phone mediums, VHF, etc.

Demonstrated Leadership Competencies:

• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with external stakeholders
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills are essential with experience in conflict resolution.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, UN agencies, local authorities, government, etc., with sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Experience in design and supporting training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.

Languages Required/Preferred:

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic.

Computer/Other Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ability to Travel: up to 70% travel

This position will be based in locations where IRC has a presence. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs of the program. 

Standards of Professional Conduct, the IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality

 IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Staff must comply with all IRC security policies and procedures applicable to IRC employees.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.