Somalia: Field Officer “Shabelles”

1. Position Summary:
INSO seeks to recruit a Field Officer to join its Somalia Mission (a.k.a. NSP) in Marka and/or Afgooye, to cover Lower and Middle Shabelle regions.
The main purpose of this position is to: Be INSO 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.
Gathers, analyses and reports to NGOs and to his/her line manager any security related information occurring in his/her area of operation.

2. About INSO
INSO Somalia, formerly known as NSP, is an international NGO that seeks to address the growing challenge of safety in the NGO community in Somalia through the provision of specialised, coordinated and focused safety management support. It recognises the insecure operating environment all NGOs face in Somalia and the collective value of enhancing safety preparedness and support. The project provides the NGO community with its own safety focal point and tailored safety support services through 3 main services: Research & Analysis (provision of regular reports, safety risk assessments and briefings); Capacity building (provision of various trainings); and Response (provision of support to crisis management in response to critical incidents).

At global level, INSO supports the safety of aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure context. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of services including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff operations and training. INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions.

For general information about INSO, please consult: www.ngosafety.org, http://www.nspsomalia.org/

3. Hierarchy

The field officer reports to the South Central Area Manager (based in Mogadishu).

4. Key responsibilities:
4.1. Information and Analysis
> Draft security reports and other written briefs 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, religious leaders...)
• Ensure information collected is cross-checked, is credible and timely.
• Report this information in high quality daily reports sent by email to his/her 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 (Bi-weekly, area brief, quarterlies, maps...) on request and in link with the line manager.

> Participate on security assessments

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

Prepare a bi-weekly or monthly brief for NGOs in their area of operation, in link with the line manager

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

> Provide 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

4.2. Training

• Assist in INSO/NSP trainings as required In Kenya and Somalia

4.3. 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...

4.4. 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 bi-weekly security NGO briefings with a security presentation if relevant in area of responsibility.
• Be in communication and on good terms with all relevant stakeholders: NGOs, UN, Government Authorities, Elders, religious Leaders...

4.5. Monitoring and Reporting

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

4.6. Finances and Logistics

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

4.7. Others

• The above mentioned list of responsibilities is not exhaustive: flexibility is a must and other tasks may be requested to adapt to operational needs.

5. 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.

6. Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Political Sciences, History, Anthropology or any other similar diploma in Human Sciences.
• 5 years of work experience in positions requiring high level information sourcing, processing, analysis and writing.
• Previous experience with NGOs or UN humanitarian agencies is an advantage, especially if working as Security Focal Point.
• Candidates having a strong journalistic background, demonstrated analytical skills, and experience specific to Somalia are invited to apply.

7. Skills and Competences:
7.1. Required skills and characteristics:

• 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, analyse and process information
• Demonstrated ability to author well-structured well researched and analytically sound reports.
• Calm and focused decision making.

7.2. Languages:

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

7.3. Computer Skills:

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

8. Availability

• May 2016

Candidates who meet the above requirements should send their applications online to jobs.som@ngosafety.org to be received not later than 15th April, 2015. Your application should clearly be titled “Field Officer - Shabelles” and should include the following:

1. A cover letter specifying how you meet the mandatory requirements, your motivation in applying and what you hope to bring to INSO (1-2 pages)
2. An updated CV (max 2 pages)
3. Contact information for three work-related referees
4. A relevant and substantive writing sample in English, which demonstrates your analytical and reporting abilities (max. 5 pages). Applications received without writing sample will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. INSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.