Turkey: Access and Information Manager (219750-927) - Fluency in English and Arabic

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Mercy Corps has been working in Syria since 2008. With the protracted conflict and ever-increasing Humanitarian Crisis in Syria, Mercy Corps is working with local partners and business leaders to respond to the growing and highly complex needs for thousands of Syrians. Mercy Corps implements life-sustaining operations mainly in the form of commodity and cash/voucher distributions in various locations in Syria and mainly amidst opposition groups that are frequently in conflict. This humanitarian operation is done with an office culture of humanitarian principles of: transparency, non-alignment, independence, impartiality and accountable, needs-based program priorities are essential.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Access & Information Manager (AIM) is a member of the program's Safety & Security Department. The AIM is responsible for managing the access and analysis team's operational security and information management duties related to security and access for Gaziantep based programs in both Syria. The AIM will manage the access and acceptance related strategies in these environments with the primary goal of safety and business continuity throughout the changing environment. The primacy of life and flexibility in program operations that allow adaptation and pauses in work activities are foremost in this strategy. The AIM is expected to know and understand all Mercy Corps programs, and activities reached from the Gaziantep office and this includes expansion in Turkey and areas of Syria. A cultural understanding of this region is essential and has the same relevance as conflict related indicators in program planning. The AIM provides briefings to team members and supports processes of reporting and documenting security incidents which impact on donor requirements of accountability. The AIM will also coordinate across INGOs and external stakeholders with respect to humanitarian access issues. The AIM will be serve as the information manager; ensuring information collection plans, collation, verification, analysis and reporting requirements support the strategies of the head of department.

The AIM does not have the authority to suspend operations, impose procedures or evacuate staff, but rather will advise the head of department regarding the collection, collation and verification of information required within advisories, critical analysis and predictions based on the conflict, demographics and historical context. The AIM will partake in departmental training programs, provide frequent briefings and manage the provision of critical analysis to program staff; providing contextual advice and support for improved assessments and planning to the head of department. It is expected that the AIM will work closely with the Emergency Programs Manager; ensuring an effective flow of information from, and to the field based staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Security Systems

• Focus the current system of media and context monitoring in all areas of operation to provide early-warning through the use of tension indicators and conflict analysis; assist in the design and usage of risk management tools and lead on the data management of material collected by the department. Utilize analytical methodologies and info-graphics to support the provision of information to external bodies, such as donors or peer agencies.
• Maintain an update thematic and geographic profiles and support program activities with network and context analysis.
• Provide support to the Crisis Management Team and expected to provide contextual advice to resolve critical incidents.

Programming:

• Read and stay abreast of all programming activities and objectives.
• Ensure the contextual viability of contingency plans for program activities, where possible.
• Read and help create an awareness and culture of Mercy Corps access, acceptance and humanitarian principles and values.
• Coordinate with heads of department, on a daily basis, logistics and border operations, and field based program staff.
• Provide support in daily decisions to go-no/go within the area of operations and new and developing areas.
• Advise on access issues pertinent to security situations and any resulting humanitarian needs.
• Ensure effective communication within access and analysis team and ensure the accuracy, brevity and clarity of security updates, briefings and incident reports to program teams in a timely manner.
• Stay abreast of Mercy Corps program assessments and new business activities.
• Support Mercy Corps teams and special projects with the necessary support to conduct safe operations, planning and access strategies.

Reporting:

• Support the maintenance a logs of all incidents effecting Mercy Corps and assist others in the Safety & Security Department team in mapping and analysis of events.
• Ensure donor-reporting requirements for losses of commodities or incidents are well-documented and reported to the required standard, providing the necessary mapping and data management requirements.
• Assist in follow up on all security incidents under the supervision of the investigating head of department to capture critical lessons and ensure that incidents are documented and the data is managed effectively.

Training and Outreach:

• Assist in incident and crisis management exercises for all staff and management.
• Coach colleagues and improve their skills in risk and vulnerability assessments, evaluation of information and the development of analytical abilities to support strategies that work for the team and allow Mercy Corps programs to progress safely and with the lowest risk possible while maintaining efficacy.
• Coach colleagues to effectively fulfill their operational role in the Mercy Corps security management strategy; develop work plans that can be remotely managed.

Coordination & Support:

• Place high value on inter-agency coordination in security; encourage Mercy Corps field-level coordination in the NGO community. Seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation.
• Develop and engage Mercy Corps' internal network of field based staff and encourage internal-communication between them regarding best practices.
• Pursue opportunities to engage others in our community in creative solutions to our security challenges through collaborative efforts.
• Fill-in and support the head of department during times of increased need staffing gaps.

Organizational Learning:-

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:-

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Security Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Team Leaders, Head of Offices, Program Managers, Operations Managers, Directors

COLLABORATES WITH: All Mercy Corps colleagues. Works to agency parameters of impartiality and independence.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree in a related field: (BA/BSc or equivalent Military College) in relevant field; or equivalent work experience
• Professional level of understanding with the philosophy and mode of operation of NGOs
• 3 years field-based experience in complex and insecure settings and preferably a conflict environment, preferably, in more than one country with large teams of staff.
• Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military government authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions
• Experience with incident reporting, incident mapping, information collation and analysis functions, compilation of security reporting and assessments
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments
• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other database/mapping systems
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken is required; ability to speak Turkish is strongly preferred
• Knowledge and understanding of the Middle East region is mandatory
• Capacity to train and effectively provide trainings to all staff

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will have the ability to see and communicate security trends at a local and regional level in a way that effectively increases our safety, security and ability to meet humanitarian needs. Maintaining strong, cooperative relationships with other departments is crucial. A successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity and demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The candidate will ensure a high degree of professionalism and neutrality when it comes to implementing the response.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This unaccompanied position will be based in Gaziantep, Turkey. The location will be unaccompanied and is eligible for Rest & Relaxation benefits only. Single or shared accommodation is provided and there is access to good medical services. This position requires (20% of time) of travel by vehicle to field offices and partner agencies in some less secure environments.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=amFtYW5kYS4zNjgzMS4zODMwQG1lcmN5Y29ycHMuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t