Field Security Officer, DRC

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Corruption takes on petty and grand forms, involving officials from the lowest to the highest levels of government. In 2019, the Government of the DRC articulated a holistic approach to addressing endemic corruption challenges. A key element of the new approach was establishing an anti-corruption agency at the level of the Presidency (Agence de Prévention et de Lutte contre la Corruption - APLC). However, the APLC and other relevant justice sector institutions in DRC lack an adequate legislative framework, organizational infrastructure, resources, and staff capacity to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate crimes involving corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing in line with national and international standards.

IDLO’s project “Strengthening Professional Capacities for an Effective Anti-Corruption Response (SPC)” aims to assist the APLC, the Judiciary police officers (Officiers de Police Judiciaire - OPJ), and selected magistrates by ensuring that: 

1. DRC anti-corruption bodies endorse a shared organizational framework for effective interagency operations. 
2. APLC and related bodies improve their organizational and operational capacities.
3. Frontline APLC officers and other critical anti-corruption actors improve their knowledge and practical skills on investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating corruption cases in line with national and international standards."

THE POSITION

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager and with technical direction from the Regional Security Officer, the Field Security Officer (FSO) oversees security risk management in the designated IDLO Office, ensuring that the appropriate measures and policies are in place and that emerging security and safety issues are responsively addressed.

The FSO monitors security issues in the assigned field location and ensures employees are provided with all necessary security training and support. The incumbent further facilitates compliance with respect to all security policies, procedures, and practices and advises on all necessary IDLO security directives/instructions.

Summary of key functions:

1. Directly oversee security infrastructure and daily operations in the country office;
2. Review security procedures and guidelines and ensure that they are in line with the Security Risk Management Policy Framework (SRMPF) and the in-country Security Risk Assessment(s) and recommend changes in order to sustain effectiveness;
3. Assess program strategies in terms of exposure and risk and determine the appropriate risk mitigation measures;
4. Advise SMT in-country and IDLO staff of risks associated with the work and with the local environment and on mitigation measures in order to develop a culture of security; 
5. Advise the RSO of security risk management developments in-country in order to facilitate his/her clear understanding of the country and regional security issues;
6. Build networks of collaboration with security representatives of other organizations, security providers, diplomatic services, and local government security forces in order to ensure that a support infrastructure is in place to respond to emergencies and anticipate emerging security issues;
7. Represent DRC at global security meetings, as the Security Advisor requires.

Results Expected

1. Directly oversee security infrastructure and daily operations in the country office;

• Establish and update security policies, ensuring adaptation to the local security environment in order to mitigate risks to IDLO staff and partners in the implementation of the organization’s work in line with the Security Risk Management Policy Framework (SRMPF);
• Identify threats and advise IDLO staff on risks associated with projects (and movement) in the locality in order to establish heightened awareness and uniform compliance to strengthen a culture of security in the country office;
• Build staff capacities related to security and safety and risk mitigation;

2. Review security procedures and guidelines and ensure that they are in line with the Security Risk Management Policy Framework (SRMPF) and the in-country Security Risk Assessment(s) and recommend changes in order to sustain effectiveness;
3. Assess program design in terms of exposure, threats, and risk and determine the appropriate risk mitigation measures;

• Provide advice to SMT in-country and direct Field Security Staff to ensure that IDLO security policies and procedures in order to be in line with the SRMPF and practices appropriately support the Organization’s field operational program priorities;
• Advise SMT in-country and program staff of the assessments of security risks and of the development of security planning to mitigate assessed threats in IDLO’s operations; 
• Advise SMT in-country and IDLO staff of risks associated with the work and with the local environment and on mitigation measures in order to develop a culture of security;

4. Advise SMT in-country and IDLO staff of risks associated with the work and with the local environment and on mitigation measures in order to develop a culture of security; 
5. Advise the RSO of security risk management developments in-country in order to facilitate his/her clear understanding of the country and regional security issues;
6. Build networks of collaboration with security representatives of other organizations, security providers, diplomatic services, and local government security forces in order to ensure that a support infrastructure is in place to respond to emergencies and anticipate emerging security issues;
7. Represent DRC at global security meetings, as the Security Advisor requires.

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree is required. 
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in UN/NGO/IGO Security Management.

Languages Requirements

• Fluency in English is required 
• Fluency in French is required.
• Knowledge of Kituba (Kikongo)/ Lingala/Swahili/Tshiluba would be an advantage.

Specific knowledge, skills, and competencies

• Strong knowledge of local and regional security dynamics.
• Actively manages and leverages a productive network of security relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT software and internet software. 
• Shares unclassified information and contributes, encourages, and motivates others to become involved in team activities. Provides constructive feedback and willingly helps others. Contributes to a fair environment that fosters collaboration and cooperation. Works effectively across and within IDLO organizational boundaries.
• Acts as a role model and offers guidance to colleagues. Takes initiative to share knowledge, experiences, and information with others. Accepts and gives constructive feedback (up, down, and across) to develop and motivate others.
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results. 
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, flexibility, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region, if required.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate. Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organization to achieve its objectives;

For this locally recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate an Affiliate contract of 6 months, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding. 

In addition, IDLO shall offer a yearly basic salary in the range of USD 46,165, medical insurance, and leave entitlements, including in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. 

This local position is open to candidates who are nationals of the duty station or with permanent resident status or other legal authorization permitting them to work in the duty station. An employee subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international employees. 

Applications will be screened on a regular basis; a qualified applicant might be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications of qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application deadline: 9 June 2025 (23:59hrs Rome Time).