Somalia: Field Officer, Bossasso

1.NSP Background

The NGO Safety Program (NSP) for Somalia / Somaliland is a program created by NGOs, which aims at supporting International and National NGOs to operate safely and securely in Somalia / Somaliland.

NSP, initially called the NGO Security Preparedness and Support (NGO SPAS), was established in 2004 by NGOs operating in Somalia / Somaliland. NSP is administratively and legally hosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) to provide it with a legal and administrative framework, through which to fulfill its functions more efficiently, effectively and accountably.

NSP provides support to NGOs through 4 types of activities: Information and Analysis (Reports, briefs…), Training (Personal security, capacity building of NGOs), Response (incident management support…), SPU facilitation for Puntland and Somaliland.

NSP is currently funded by ECHO, DFID, CHF, SDC. All NSP services are free of charge for NGOs .

2.Purpose of position

The Field Officer has 2 core responsibilities:

• Be NSP focal point in his/her area of operation, liaising and coordinating with NGOs and other relevant actors and support them for any security and safety related issue
• Reports and analyses any security related information occurring in his/her area of intervention to NGOs and to his/her NSP line manager

3.Hierarchy

• Reports to the Puntland Area Manager

4.Keys responsibilities:

The list of responsibilities is not exhaustive: other tasks maybe requested to adapt operational needs.

Ø Information and Analysis

Ø Drafting of Security Report and other written brief for NGOs:

• Pro-actively collect information relevant to NGOs safety and security: create and maintain a diversified network of information sources (Governments, NGOs, journalists, internet, elders, business...)
• Ensure information collected is cross-checked, is credible and timely
• Report this information in high quality daily reports sent by email to his line manager. The reports will use a standard format/style as provided by the line manager.
• Report immediately to the line Manager any security incident concerning NGOs or other breaking news
• Be on standby and available for any complement of information request by the line manager
• Participate the drafting of other analysis reports (Week, area brief, maps...) on request and in link with the line manager

Ø Participate security assessment

• Participate on request by the line manager to security assessments missions
• Upon request from the NGOs, carry out security assessments of NGOs’ premises, in coordination with his line management and with the support of NSP’s focal point in Nairobi for compound assessments.
• Draft quality mission reports

Ø Prepare a monthly brief for NGOs in their area of operation, in link with the line manager

• Prepare a bi-weekly brief for NGOs in their area of operation using PowerPoint presentation or other support quality documents, in link with the line manager

Ø Oral Brief and travel advisories to NGOs

• Be available to NGOs for any brief request. Link with the line Manager if needed for complementary information
• Draft structured travel advisories to NGOs requesting it. Link with the line manager if needed for complementary information

Ø Training

• Assist in training as required In Kenya and Somalia

Ø Response

• Be available and reachable 24 / 7 for NGOs in their area of operation and line manager
• Propose support immediately to any NGOs experiencing a security incident: threat analysis, enquiry, support toward local authorities etc...

Ø SPUs

• Facilitate SPU requests
• Gather information and feedback to Program Manager the SPU tracking incident
• Facilitate and support NGOs in case of any particular issues

Ø Representation / coordination

• Act as the local focal point for safety co-ordinator and information sharing between the relevant actors and NGOs within the area of operations
• Participate in the security cell meetings
• Organize weekly security NGO briefings with a security presentation
• Be in communication and on good terms with all relevant stakeholders: NGOs, UNDSS, Government Authorities, Elders...

Ø Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare weekly reports (sitrep) for his / her line manager
• Update and send every Monday the NGO request and response table
• Update and send every month the SPU incident tracking

Ø Finances and Logistics

• Manage finances and purchases request as per NSP SOP
• Request movement validation by the line manager before any movements out of duty station

5.General

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

6.Posting details:

• This position is based in Somalia. Somalia is a hazardous environment the selected candidate must adhere to all security precautions and contribute to the security of the team. He must be able to exercise a large degree of common sense and personal discipline.
• The position requires the holder to be able to undertake tasking at short notice with due regard to the security environment
• The position requires the holder to be able to work effectively and efficiently unsupervised. The selected candidate must be able to plan and manage their own time effectively. The holder must exercise a strong work ethic and take responsibility for his/her own actions.
• This position requires a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours
• The work undertaken will have a direct effect on the safety and security of individuals operating in Somalia. The successful candidate must be duly aware of this and be prepared to meet this challenge.

7.Qualifications and experience required:

Ø Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Political Sciences, History, Anthropology or any other equivalent diploma

Ø Experience:

• 5 years of experience in positions requiring high level information sourcing, processing, analysis and writing
• Previous experience as an NGO or UN Security Focal Point is a strong added advantage
• Previous general experience with NGOs is an advantage
• Candidates having a strong journalistic background, demonstrated analytical skills, and experience specific to Somalia are invited to apply.

8.Skills and competences:

Ø Skills required:

• Be native of the region of the duty station.
• Well-developed networks in the region with relevant stakeholders
• Demonstrated capacity to work with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of engagement.
• Proven strong writing skills and good command of English
• Demonstrated ability to source, analyze and process information
• Demonstrated ability to author well-structured well researched and analytically sound reports.
• Calm and focused decision making.

Ø Languages:

• English (working language) : fluent with excellent writing capacities
• Somali (working language) : mother tongue
• Arabic: is an advantage
• Amharic : is an advantage

Ø Computer skills :

• Good knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, Google Earth.

NSP will manage the recruitment process according to host NGO recruitment procedures.

Please forward letter of application and C.V. by email to info@somaliangoconsortium.orgONLY, with the subject heading “Field Officer Bossaso’’, not later than August 8^th 2014. Only the applications that meet the minimum requirements and qualifications above will be considered. Note that only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

For general information about the NSP, please consult www.nspsomalia.org