Deir al-Balah, Gaza, occupied Palestinian Territory (oPT), State of Palestine
Onsite
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The Humanitarian Access & Security Assistant (HAS Assistant) reports directly to the Humanitarian Access & Security Officer (HAS Officer) and works under their supervision, with technical support from the Humanitarian Access & Security Department.
The HAS Assistant plays a key role in assisting the HAS Officer in the day-to-day implementation of safety and security tasks, ensuring that IRC security policies and procedures are contextually appropriate, operationally relevant, and effectively communicated to staff.
S/he will contribute to maintaining a strong understanding of the operating environment and support the dissemination of timely and accurate security information to staff. This includes continuous monitoring of incidents, contextual developments, and news, and real-time sharing of relevant updates, including outside of standard working hours when required.
The HAS Assistant will assist the HAS Officer in tracking staff movements, ensuring adherence to movement procedures, and maintaining situational awareness of field activities. S/he will also contribute to maintaining effective relationships with guards, supporting their supervision, communication, and performance follow-up as required.
In addition, the HAS Assistant will assist in building and maintaining a strong network with relevant stakeholders, including local authorities and community actors, to facilitate humanitarian access and enhance contextual understanding.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION:
Reports to: The Humanitarian Access & Security Officer
Technical Reporting to: The Humanitarian Access & Security Coordinator
Supervises: N/A.
Key Interfaces: Operations teams, Program teams, Humanitarian Access & Security Department, and other relevant staff as necessary with program expansion.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety & Security Management – Support by assisting the HAS officer in:
Support the HAS Officer in providing technical support to staff on all safety and security policies, procedures, guidelines, and planning.
Support the evaluation, review, and update of Security Management Plans (SMPs), ensuring compliance with the IRC Security Management Framework and all annexes.
Support the development, consolidation, and implementation of SOPs, contingency plans, and security procedures with relevant stakeholders.
Support the review and update of hibernation and evacuation plans, ensuring practical preparedness measures are in place and communicated to staff.
Support the conduct of risk assessments for IRC facilities (offices, residences, warehouses, hotels) and follow up on mitigation measures.
Support the regular assessment of security equipment and communication systems, ensuring functionality and appropriate use.
Support the identification and implementation of appropriate communication solutions, including safe alternative means when required.
Support follow-up on action points to ensure compliance with safety and security standards.
Support the integration of gender-sensitive and context-appropriate approaches into safety and security practices.
Support the regular update of all safety documentation (SOPs, CPs, security briefings, regulations, CONOPs, etc.).
Support movement tracking and control systems, including ensuring adherence to procedures and escalation of deviations.
Support liaison with guards and drivers to ensure effective implementation of movement tracking procedures and communication protocols.
Support day-to-day coordination and relationship management with guards, including basic briefing and issue escalation to the HAS Officer.
Support the delivery of security briefings for staff and visitors.
Support incident response processes when delegated by the HAS Officer.
Humanitarian Access Management – Support by assisting the HAS officer in:
Support monitoring and reporting on NGO and inter-agency security initiatives as required.
Support efforts to ensure that IRC’s mission, mandate, and activities are known and accepted across areas of operation.
Support the implementation of humanitarian access strategies tailored to local contexts, including community engagement components.
Support the application of access strategies considering partners and conflict sensitivities.
Support the development and maintenance of relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and key stakeholders.
Support liaison and coordination related to movement facilitation and civil-military coordination as required.
Support stakeholder mapping and maintenance of key contact networks.
Support liaison with relevant actors (NGOs, UN, authorities, community stakeholders) to facilitate safe humanitarian access.
Support movement planning processes, including coordination with relevant teams and stakeholders.
Support follow-up on movements on the day of implementation, including monitoring accessibility of sites and reporting constraints.
Context Understanding and Reporting– Support by assisting the HAS officer in:
Support the real-time monitoring of security incidents, media, and contextual developments.
Support the timely dissemination of security alerts and updates to staff, including after hours when required.
Support the collection, verification, and reporting of incidents, ensuring proper documentation and filing.
Support the monitoring of the operating environment, including identifying emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and potential response measures for the HAS Officer.
Partnerhips – Support by assisting the HAS officer in:
Champion a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Support the promotion of a partner-led programming in line with IRC’s “why not partner?” and “partner as equals” approach.
Support the HAS Department contributions to the relevant sections of Partner Capacity Analysis (PCA) and the subsequent roll-out of partner support plans.
REQUIREMENTS
Education: Graduation from a higher education facility in a relevant subject is preferred, however, secondary education and demonstrated professional experience will be considered.
Work Experience:
Demonstrable experience in civilian, non-profit, or NGO work within humanitarian programs, having supported the planning, coordination, and execution of safety, security, or operational field activities.
Experience in collecting, monitoring, and reporting on local, national, or international developments, and in supporting the preparation of briefings and analysis of security, operational, or political situations (written and verbal).
Experience in supporting relationship-building with key stakeholders, including partners, local authorities, and community actors, and in representing IRC appropriately in coordination forums.
Experience in supporting negotiation, mediation, or conflict-sensitive initiatives, with exposure to conflict resolution and adherence to humanitarian principles.
Strong oral and written communication skills
Experience in supporting engagement with local stakeholders, including local and international NGOs, authorities, and government actors, demonstrating sensitivity, diplomacy, and adherence to humanitarian principles.
Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in humanitarian operations.
Experience in supporting the identification and removal of barriers to inclusion for marginalized, underrepresented, or at-risk groups in emergency or field contexts.
Experience in supporting diverse teams and communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and adaptation of practices to strengthen inclusion, safety, and duty of care within IRC operations.
Languages Required/Preferred:
Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English.
Computer/Other Requirements:
Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
This position will be based in locations where IRC has a presence. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.