IFRC : Senior Officer, Security – Geneva

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    1 month ago
  • Category:
    Security and Safety
  • Deadline:
    22/11/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Organizational Context

 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

 

Job Purpose

 

The Senior Security and Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring that effective security planning is conducted and that sound security management structures are established within the IFRC Afghanistan Country Delegation. The Senior Security Officer ensures the effective implementation of and institutional compliance with security plans. The plans and responses are guided by effective, accurate, relevant and multi-sourced situational monitoring, recent quality security management training and competence in incident data mapping and analysis. The Senior Security Officer also maintains working relationships with his/her counterparts in other organizations and key players present in the operational area.
The Senior Security Officer is also responsible for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the organization. He / She is responsible for ensuring the utmost security of the country office staff and delegates, by providing quality advice to the delegates and national staff and through the management of watchmen ensures safe and secure access within IFRC property.
The Senor Security and Safety Officer works closely with the ARCS and ICRC to support the ongoing development of the ARCS security systems.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

 

Security assessments, planning and training:
• Responsible for safety and security related matters in Afghanistan.
• Ensure the implementation of the IFRC Minimum Security Requirements (MSR) and all relevant Federation Security Manuals and Training. Prepares a checklist of all MSR and maintains a status update on compliance or issues to be addressed.
• Ensures the Afghanistan CD has updated security plans and that all staff comply with these.
• Ensures all staff is properly trained on security plan and that security procedures are understood and followed
• Analyses the security environment in Afghanistan, identifies threats and risks with the aim to provide guidance and advice to the management on measures to be taken.
• Undertake regular field trips in order to monitor and assess the operational areas and field offices as required.
• Keeps a daily track of all issues pertaining to the security condition in the country, by following the news, tracking unofficial reports, and through other sources.
• Conducts daily monitoring of events, incidents and near-misses and assesses risks.
• Conducts or participates in Security related trainings inside or outside the Federation
• Ensure all safety and security related matters are effectively and efficiently assessed, resolved, recorded and disseminated.
Security communication:
• In absent of Security Coordinator, be the first point of contact for the Head of Country Delegation during incidents in Afghanistan.
• Ensures a continuous contact with Security Coordinator during any incident.
• Reports to Security Coordinator on relevant security issues on the daily basis as they occur and gives advice and recommendations on the office’s security regulations and measures to be taken.
• In consultation with Security Coordinator provides the information for the “green light” for any exceptional expatriate movements within Kabul.
• Tracks all security incidents and electronically updates information maps (such as, but not limited to ARCS incidents, NGO incidents, incidents in Kabul and in the areas of IFRC field offices.
• Prepares and shares security related information for staff updates at office meetings, or for immediate incidents by SMS or by email.
• Informs Security Coordinator and as instructed updates Administration/HR department in case of any incident/concerns related office property, assets and staff’s that the staff Code of Conduct (CoC) has been breached.
• Support Security Coordinator in providing comprehensive security briefings of all new delegates and visitors ensuring they are familiar with the IFRC regulations, responses in the event of security incidents (attacks, fire, earthquake, etc) and the protocols for use of radio, phones and safe rooms in the residence and shared guest house.
• Ensures guards, drivers and radio operators are updated on all safety/security procedures and movement restrictions in Kabul.
Lateral relationships:
• Ensures a very close liaison with the Senior Driver to ensure relevant daily security information to drivers, directly or through the head driver as required.
• In very close collaboration with the Senior Driver ensures daily monitoring and assessment of routes for staff movements in the city.
• Support Security Coordinator by attends security meetings held by ICRC, INSO, UNDSS, and government security related department and provides a verbal or written update, as necessary.
• Maintains a strong relation with ARCS through ARCS security focal point and shares all necessary security related information. Supports the development of the ARCS security management system as requested and upon approval of HoD.
• Maintains a strong relationship, co-ordination and cooperation with ICRC. Attends the Movement Security and Access Working Group Meetings.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

 

Develops a relationship with the security POC’s of other international organisations.
Passive security
• In coordination with Security Coordinator ensures all measures are in place for the safety and security of the IFRC premises, such as offices, residences, warehouses, other asset and inventory.
• Ensures that all offices and other premises are securely locked outside of working hours
• Ensures that the office and residential safe rooms have all the required items for longer hibernation.
• Ensures that all fire-fighting equipment, including fire extinguishers are checked, not expired and that staff is trained to use this equipment
• Ensures all passive security measures around all relevant premises are in place and regularly check these for quality and repairs

Management & Supervision
• Prepare the duty rosters for all watchmen/drivers on a monthly basis and post these at the designated places in the offices, residences and warehouse.
• Ensures the presence of all watchmen/drivers at their duty location by physically checking daily and conduct ad hock checks
• Reports security breaches and concerns to the Security Coordinator.
Reporting
• Immediately reports any security incident in Afghanistan or involving an I/NGO in the country to Security Coordinator.
• Assist to Security Coordinator in preparing weekly, quarterly security reports including mapping for Regional Security Coordinator and Geneva Security Unit
• Prepares maps of security incidents and electronically updates information maps (such as, but not limited to incidents in Kabul and in IFRC field offices, ARCS incidents, NGO incidents).
• Ensures that all relevant incident reports are written, reviewed by Security Coordinator and filed
• Reports any violation of the security regulations by the staff immediately to Security Coordinator including non-permitted movements
• Reports on the performance of watchmen/drivers and advises the Security Coordinator on measures to be taken, additional training required and recommendations to be made on those persons.

 

Education

 

Required:

  • A relevant education at minimum bachelor’s level.

Preferred:

  • Successfully completed the Stay Safe e-learning courses (basic and Managers).

 

Experience

 

Required:

  • 5 years’ experience in a similar role preferably with an INGO/NGO/UN/Military.
  • Field experience in humanitarian security work.

Preferred:

  • Experience working with the military, security agencies and law enforcement agencies.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

 

Required:

  • Good communication skills.
  • Strong analytical skills in political, socioeconomics and security areas.
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Good stress management skills.
  • Self supporting in computers [Windows, Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.
  • Fluently spoken and written English.
  • Good command of Dari and Pashto.

Preferred:

  • Knowledge of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

 

Competencies, Values and Comments

 

1.Core competencies: Communications, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust.

2. Functional competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Leadership, Empowering Others.

3. Values: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability

 

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements