Position Safety and Security Assistant (SSA)

Reports to: Safety and Security Manager (SSM)

Position Summary: The role of the Safety and Security Assistant is to provide support to staff post to ensure the safety and security of Peace Corps Cameroon Volunteers. A key component of ensuring Volunteer safety and security is coordinating the implementation

The primary responsibilities of this position are ensuring security-related files are kept up-to-date; maintaining the whereabouts reporting system; assisting in the analysis and reporting of security incidents; preparing reports, training materials, and other resource materials; coordinating the implementation of the “Site Management Standards and Guidelines for the Africa Region”; and maintaining up-to-date contact information for local and national police, transportation, and consolidation points.

In addition, the SSA will act as the back-up to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM). The Office of Safety and Security provides technical oversight of security related. The SSA reports to the SSM who manages day to day workload. When the SSM is unavailable, the SSA may also be the contact point with the Peace Corps Safety and Security Officer (PCSSO), Regional Security Advisor (RSA), Embassy security officials, and local law enforcement agencies in carrying out the responsibilities designated below or as directed by the Country Director (CD). Technical review, evaluation and training can be conducted by the SSM and the PCSSO.

Salary: Grade: 7, Range 7,131,546 - 12,123,624 CFA basic salary plus additional allowances.

Location: Yaounde, Cameroon

Application Closes: Tuesday 02nd September 2019

Supervisory role: No

The Assistant Training Logistician will have the following roles and responsibilities:

Responsibilities

1. Supports and Verifies Safety and Security Policy Implementation: In coordination with the SSM, provides administrative support and verification that adequate systems are functioning to support Volunteer safety and security in accordance with Peace Corps Manual Section (MS) 270, Volunteer/Trainee Safety and Security. This should include, but is not limited to:

• Responsible for whereabouts phone – responding to, tracking, and recording all whereabouts information in VIDA.
• Edits and updates to safety and security information in the Volunteer Information Database (VIDA) and generates reports upon request.
• Verifies that all site locator forms are accurate and documented in VIDA.
• Ensures that all Volunteer sites and houses have been properly evaluated for safety and security criteria and documentation is on file.
• Understands Volunteer whereabouts system and assists with maintaining information as needed.
• Assists SSM and CD to ensure critical PCSSO recommendations are implemented appropriately and deadlines are met. Works with the SSM to provide regular updates on implementation progress and/or challenges to the CD and the PCSSO.

2. Safety and Security Training:

• Assists with the development of training materials for safety and security related sessions during events such as Pre-Service Training (PST), In-Service Trainings (IST), Close of Service (COS) conferences and Warden Trainings.
• Co-facilitates training sessions with the SSM as directed by the SSM or the CD. May be required to facilitate training sessions in lieu of the SSM if he/she is unavailable.

3. Implementation of and compliance with Site Management Standards and Guidelines:

• Collaborate with project managers, PCMOs and SSM to ensure adherence to the Africa Region’s standards and guidelines, including the following:
  • Site identification, preparation and selection
  • Site matching and assignment
  • Monitoring and assessing Volunteers in their sites
  • Ensure compliance with site history file maintenance, including prompt recording of all security-related incidents
• Carries out and/or accompanies the SSM, PMs, PCMOs on site visits as needed.
• As requested, assists with Volunteer housing inspections and approvals prior to occupancy as per Post’s policies and procedures.
• Ensures that GPS coordinates are maintained in VIDA for Volunteer sites, consolidation points, and other relevant locations.
• Supports the ITS and SSM in maintaining accurate, and real-time mapping Volunteer sites and consolidation points.

4. Incident Reporting and Response: Safety and Security Assistant Sample Statement of Work

• Upon SSM’s request, provides Volunteer support after crime incidents, such as police follow-up, preparation of reports, accompanying Volunteers to their sites, etc.
• For sexual assaults – May serve as part of the designated staff at Post in the absence of the SSM. In that role, manages the security and non-medical follow-up for Volunteer incidents of sexual assault, including but not limited to:
  • Assuring that the Volunteer or other Volunteers are safe from imminent or serious threat and taking immediate action to remove victim or others if a serious or imminent threat exists.
  • Communicating with the Assigned Security Specialist for guidance when required and according to the notification protocol.
  • Protecting the confidentiality of information surrounding the sexual assault.
  • Coordinates with the Office of General Counsel on the hiring of an attorney to advise a Volunteer on the legal process (when necessary).
  • Conduct post-incident assessment to identify any ongoing threats or security concerns and mitigation strategies.
  • Participates in agency Coordinated Incident Response System (CARS) calls when needed.
  • Makes logistical arrangements for Volunteers (e.g. hotel or travel arrangements).
  • Assists in developing a safety plan in collaboration with the Assigned Security Specialist and the Victim Advocate.
• For all incidents – Assists the SSM to ensure that reportable incidents are communicated to the CD in accordance with policies and procedures; assists the SSM in completing incident reports in the Consolidated Incident Reporting System (CIRS) per the Consolidated Incident Reporting Guidelines.
• Supports the SSM by entering information as needed in site history files.

5. Emergency Preparedness:

• In collaboration with the SSM, assists the CD and senior staff at Post during an emergency situation.
• Assists the SSM in the training and testing of Post’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Reviews Post specific office emergency and security plan.
• Assists SSM on developing and revising policy documents, such as EAPs and Transportation Policies.
• Has a working knowledge of security equipment such as satellite phones, radios and other emergency devices and assists the SSM in periodic tests of those devices.

6. Analysis, Reports and Other Communication:

• Assists the SSM in maintaining post-crime statistics and analyzing trends.
• Prepares reports and resource materials for SSM.
• Becomes familiar with and assists the PCSSO and the SSM with updates to the Legal Environment Survey.
• Organizes safety and security resources such as manuals, handbooks, leaflets, pamphlets, slides, videos, and memos and makes their contents and Peace Corps policies known to staff and Volunteers.
• Helps maintain legible and orderly system for collecting, compiling, filing and disseminating pertinent safety and security information to be made accessible to appropriate Post staff and Volunteers as required, including, but not limited to:
  • Travel warnings and policies (including Post travel/transportation policies)
  • Safety and security information for visiting PCVs
  • Notices to staff and Volunteers about security concerns

7. Represents the Safety and Security Program:

• Participates in staff meetings (both general staff meetings and senior staff meetings at the discretion of the CD), discussions and activities, and makes recommendations for changes in program policy and procedures as they relate to Volunteer safety and security.
• Has knowledge of Embassy security staff (RSO) and local law enforcement resources in order to obtain updates and information on emergency/security issues at Post. Represents the Post at regularly scheduled safety and security external meetings as needed.

8. Provides Back-Up Coverage for the SSM: Stands in as the Acting SSM when the SSM is out of the office and unavailable (i.e. on annual leave, sick leave or official travel) or there is a vacancy in the SSM position.

9. Other Duties as Assigned: May perform other safety and security duties as assigned by the SSM or CD.

10. TDY Travel: The Contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters or perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned. Any such reassignment or transfer shall be subject to agreement of the Contractor. The Statement of Work as defined will remain the same; however the duties may be subject to change as determined by the Contracting Officer.

11. Texting While Driving

• To the extent Contractor is allowed to operate a U.S. government-owned, leased, or rented vehicle (GOV) to perform their job duties, the Contractor must operate that vehicle safely at all times and only operate it for official business purposes as defined in 31 USC 1334.
• Contractor is encouraged to refrain from texting or from engaging in any behavior that distracts attention from driving safely at any time. Except in an emergency situation, Contractor shall not text message (i) when driving a GOV; (ii) when driving a privately-owned vehicle (POV) while on official government business; or (iii) while using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving any vehicle (even during off-duty hours).

Qualifications: The SSA must at a minimum possess the following skills and abilities to effectively carry out the duties of the position.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Higher National Diploma (HND) minimum or college degree preferred in law, forensic investigation or relevant field. Proven quality of and requisite number of years of relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of education.

Prior Work Experience:

• The candidate must have at least three years of experience in safety and security or related fields.
• Good working knowledge in an international organization or similar systems is preferred.

Language Proficiency: Demonstrated English proficiency both oral and written and working knowledge in French.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other organizations, including local law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency management and other NGO/development agencies;
• Ability to analyze crime trends and other risks and propose mitigation strategies;
• Demonstrated communication skills, specifically with Volunteers and key stakeholders in their communities;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct training and give presentations, in both English and French;
• Organizational skills, attention to detail and presentation.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite, and other safety & security databases as well as other web-based applications;
• Ability to work as a team and independently and proactively.
• Ability to work a regular Monday through Friday schedule with impromptu, after-hours, weekend assignments when necessary. Willingness to travel 70% of time within Cameroon, and abroad as requested.

Application instructions

Submit the following in MS Word or PDF:

1. A cover letter;
2. Current resume;
3. At least three professional references.

Peace Corps Cameroon does not accept documents saved on any cloud format including Google. The file size should not exceed 8MB.

No telephone calls or personal visits please. Only the documents listed in the application instructions should be submitted including your telephone number by September 02, 2019. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.