Security Management

43. Heads of offices, whether at field or branch level should take action to ensure the security and safety of staff members. In addition to the responsibilities implicit in the above sections, appropriate security management measures also include:

Ensuring both you and your staff have access to relevant, accurate and up-to-date information;

Providing systematic briefings with all staff on the security situation and on the security plan itself. Bear in mind that some staff, particularly national staff, may provide valuable input into these briefings because of their local knowledge;

Encouraging staff awareness: a key to effective security is personal awareness and good individual response to security situations;

Providing training to all staff on hazards specific to the duty station;

Ensuring the availability of materials on staff stress management and security in the duty station (see key references);

Reporting security related incidents to Headquarters (Field Safety Section);

Ensuring there is good communication with other organizations and NGOs about the security situation;

Ensuring the office has a medical evacuation plan. In addition, the country representative should ensure he or she (and their deputy) has the SOS Assistance password in the case of extreme medical emergency.