Country Manager for Security and Safety Operations

Under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director, Operations, and in close collaboration with all other departments as well as the DRC Crisis Analysis Team (CAT), the Country Operations Manager for Security & Safety provides strategic leadership and oversees all aspects of staff security, organizational security risk management, and humanitarian access across Mercy Corps operations in the DRC. They are responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive security strategy that facilitates safe, effective, and principled program delivery to vulnerable communities, while ensuring full compliance with Mercy Corps global policies, donor requirements, and national regulations. The position is both strategic and operational and requires the ability to interact at a high level with governments, humanitarian and security actors, while coordinating critical security systems and responses on the ground. The incumbent is adept at working in high-risk, volatile, and difficult-to-access environments to facilitate the safe and secure implementation of humanitarian and development programs, while maintaining a balance between program objectives and Mercy Corps' legal and duty of care obligations to team members and the communities we serve.

Actively participate in the development and execution of a nationwide Safety, Security, and Access (SSA) strategy that enables safe and principled operations in all areas, including those controlled by non-state or sanctioned actors, without compromising neutrality, operational integrity, or organizational policies. SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE Develop, update, and enforce country security policies, procedures, and plans in accordance with Mercy Corps global standards and humanitarian best practices. Conduct regular security risk assessments for all offices, travel, and program activities, and ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Guarantee compliance with donor security requirements and national laws regarding private security, weapons, communications, etc. Actively participate in security incident management: investigations, reports, lessons learned, and follow-up. SECURITY OPERATIONS & SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT In close collaboration with the safety and security focal points at each base: Manage security systems: tracking staff movements, emergency communications, security equipment, premises, and vehicles.Train and supervise security teams and security focal points in field offices. Ensure emergency preparedness and response: evacuation, containment, and relocation plans. HUMANITARIAN ACCESS & NEGOTIATION Analyze the political, security, and humanitarian context to identify access constraints and opportunities. Negotiate and maintain relationships with authorities, non-state armed groups, communities, and other humanitarian actors to facilitate access to vulnerable populations while respecting humanitarian principles. Advise country management on decisions to accept, expand, or suspend programs based on the level of risk. REPRESENTATION & COORDINATION Represent Mercy Corps in security coordination forums: INSO, UNDSS, clusters, and NGO security working groups. Share context analysis and alert the management team and field teams on evolving risks. TEAM MANAGEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING: Manage, train, and coach the country security team. Foster an inclusive and trusting work environment. Integrate the security culture across all teams: make security everyone's business, not just the security department's. PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITIES: Actively learns about protection and integrates it into their work, including risk protection and mitigation measures relevant to their area of ​​work. Practices Mercy Corps values, including respect for the dignity and well-being of participants and other team members. Encourages openness and communication within their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have concerns using reporting mechanisms, such as the Integrity Hotline and other options.Foster an inclusive and trusting work environment. Integrate a safety culture across all teams: make safety everyone's business, not just the safety department's. PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITIES: Actively learns about protection and integrates it into their work, including risk protection and mitigation measures relevant to their area of ​​work. Practices Mercy Corps values, including respect for the dignity and well-being of participants and other team members. Encourages openness and communication within their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have concerns using reporting mechanisms, such as the Integrity Hotline and other options.Foster an inclusive and trusting work environment. Integrate a safety culture across all teams: make safety everyone's business, not just the safety department's. PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITIES: Actively learns about protection and integrates it into their work, including risk protection and mitigation measures relevant to their area of ​​work. Practices Mercy Corps values, including respect for the dignity and well-being of participants and other team members. Encourages openness and communication within their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have concerns using reporting mechanisms, such as the Integrity Hotline and other options.

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