Regional Safety and Security Officer at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

Job Profile

The Regional Safety & Security Officer-Africa sits within the Global Safety & Security team. Reporting to the Director of Global Safety and Security, this new role will be part of a globally dispersed team leading, delivering and advising on the full a range of our safety and security services across the span of Open Society with a particular focus on Africa. They will help embed best practices, ensure a consistent, and comprehensive approach to security management and promote a proactive and inclusive security culture. Designing, developing and implementing processes and procedures in line with our global policies and standards calibrated for the relevant contexts this role will act as an advisory partner, implementer and resource in all matters of safety and security within the regions.

As a Regional Safety and Security Officer at Open Society you will:

• Act as the Global Safety and Security teams lead for safety and security services and support for designated regional area(s) of responsibility
• Manage and oversee the continuing development of safety and security related operating procedures processes, templates and frameworks throughout OSF and across the span of our services and that align with the global security strategy
• Monitor the security situation in locations of significance to Open Society and communicate relevant information to stakeholders
• Provide safety and security support, briefings and guidance to other regions or departments as required as part of the wider Global Safety and Security team service delivery model
• Assist in the development and delivery of internal safety and security training programs
• Work closely with our Global Operations teams to ensure an integrated approach to safety and security risk management at OSF

What We Are Looking For

• A minimum of 5 years safety and security risk management experience with a demonstrable understanding of the challenges faced by organizations such as Open Society
• Knowledge of global security and geo-political trends with a particular focus on those affecting NGO/INGOs in Africa
• A strong network of relevant security contacts and resources
• Experience in developing and implementing safety and security frameworks, plans and processes across a matrixed organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and the ability to distill security information for internal and external consumption is required;
• Strong communications and relationship building skills; effective at building trust and confidence
• Ability to manage competing priorities and to work under pressure, in a continuously changing environment
• Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justice.
• Commitment to listening and working with humility; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for all diverse perspectives in our workplace

Desirable (but not needed)

• Proficiency in another language relevant to the regional area of responsibility
• Experience working in/on other regions that Open Society operates in
• Recognized qualifications in security risk management
• Recognized qualifications in health and safety management
• Experience with technical safety and security systems