MOBILE SUPPORT TECHNICIAN – SECURITY IN ARMED CONFLICTS

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and the mission coordination teams; together with the organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens and decentralised in Nairobi, Dakar and Amman. The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations.

JOB ENVIRONMENT AND GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The Mobile Support Technician – Security in Armed Conflicts has the general objective of improving security risk management within MSF-OCBA operations by supporting and providing technical support to the line management based on armed conflict and military strategy analysis.

He/She reports hierarchically to the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) and functionally to the OPS Senior Security Advisor.

MAIN TASKS

1. Advising on Security Risk Management based on armed conflict and military analysis (dynamics, strategies and plans) and in correspondence with the operational strategy:

• Advise the line management by obtaining information and knowledge/expertise on military actors (dynamics, strategies and plans) in our areas of intervention and at country/regional level where armed conflict is active.
• Act as a sparring partner for the line management, advising them on potential risks/consequences of their proposed strategies and operational approaches, based on their knowledge / expertise on armed conflict and military analysis.
• Advise the line management on the proper implementation of security procedures in active armed conflict areas especially on deconfliction and on technical issues.
• Provide armed conflict analysis sparring and support by conducting visits/evaluations/audits and makes recommendations.
• Following up implementation of corrective actions out of evaluations in order to achieve the organizational quality goals.

2. Performing context analysis, from an armed conflict and military approach, through:

• Networking that can contribute to improve understanding of armed conflict dynamics.
• Collection and analysis of information internally and externally to contribute to improve the operational response in the missions from a security point of view.
• Produces strategic security papers and/or feeds global strategic documents from the reflections/information/analysis above.

3. Supporting the missions in the area of influence in the implementation of adapted risk analysis by:

• Identifying and reporting situations/elements that may affect the achievement of operational goals due to military operations and negotiation constraints and proposes adaptations and exceptions according to analysis above.
• Track and report on relevant incidences and on the geopolitical situation.
• Collect, author, compile and analyze security related reports and humanitarian related security information from multiple sources ensuring MSF OCBA security posture is current and relevant to the situation on the ground.
• Upon request, he/she can conduct specific support visits/evaluations/audits and makes recommendations.

4. Contribute to improving skills in security management through briefing key positions on armed conflict and military dynamics and strategies:

• Gives inputs for the design of security trainings (FC/HoM) and facilitate modules in coordination with the Operations learning referent.
• Supports in the coordination and provision of training to HQ and field staff.
• Participates in workshops, seminars and other knowledge generating platforms.

5. Contribute to internal and external coordination on armed conflict and military analysis by:

• Representing MSF OCBA externally as required, liaise and coordinate with relevant actors (such as international and national organisations, diaspora, civil society groups, etc).
• Participating in internal coordination forums and platforms, representing MSF OCBA as required. Exchange information with colleagues from other MSF sections and share information with MSF OCBA line management.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Experience in managing security from a military perspective in a highly insecure context.
• Previous experience in advising non-military actors (e.g journalists, humanitarian actors, etc.).
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles.
• Fluent in English essential. French and Spanish desirable, other languages appreciated.
• IT knowledge.
• Availability to travel to the field.
• Flexibility with working hours.

CONDITIONS

• Home based, with frequent field visits up to 80% field visits.
• Full time work.
• Salary scale level 5 IRP2.
• Duration estimated of 1 year.
• Contract modality according to local legal framework.
• Starting date: ASAP.