Specialist, Safety & Security at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

Search is seeking a regional Safety & Security (S&S) Specialist to support our Central & East Africa country offices by increasing capacity and offering technical support and advice on all aspects of staff safety and security.
The position holder will be responsible for conducting security analyses, adapting country security plans, ensuring good security management capacities, developing standard operating procedures (SoPs), and providing training for country and regional staff. The Specialist will review and analyze incident reports and security updates. In addition, the Specialist may be called on to travel to countries experiencing emergencies to assess and support security systems and responses.
The Specialist reports to the Director of Global Security and is part of a team consisting of 2 regional Specialists (of which this position is one) as well as designated Security Focal Points in countries of operation.
Responsibilities
Security Management and Support

• Work closely with the Regional and Global teams, including the S&S Director, to ensure security strategies for all country offices and that responses are appropriate and aligned with regional and global priorities with consideration to the respective local context
• Deliver oversight of security prevention, preparation, response, and recovery activities in all Central & East Africa countries and counter threats emerging from changing political, social, and economic situations
• Develop, review, and ensure effective implementation of the Search Security Management Plans, SOPs/Contingency Plans, including a security plan in assigned offices, together with key staff, based on Search’s S&S Protocols and Framework
• Manage the implementation of a comprehensive security and business continuity management system, taking cognizance of the evolution of situations.
• Lead incident management, lessons learned, and any follow-up actions/procedure changes.
• Provide crisis management support (evacuation and hibernation) as required
• Conduct regular site visits to country offices to assess safety/security arrangements.
• Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable promoting strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct in a manner consistent with Search Safeguarding Policy.

Capacity Building

• Work with the Security Focal Points of each country office to provide safety and security orientation for all new staff/visitors/guests, and update training for existing staff
• Develop and implement a structured training program, including virtual and in-person sessions, to enhance staff security awareness and skills, particularly in accident prevention, crisis response, and occupational safety.
• Work with the Security Focal Points of each country office to conduct routine crisis management exercises for all staff and management
• Work with the Security Focal Points of each country office to conduct regular mock drills in all offices (e.g., fire drill, evacuation, etc.)
• Provide support to partners in developing their security guidelines and promoting a security culture

Analysis

• Prepare timely security updates based on information from internal and external sources to support policy and procedure reviews as well as to mitigate risks to programming
• Report, analyze, and communicate the current socio-political context, the security situation, and the broader context (country, region, global trends as applicable)
• Develop incident reporting systems and ensure that the incident register is updated regularly
• Undertake regular and ad hoc security assessment missions as necessary to gather information and analyze the overall security situation in existing and potential areas of Search intervention
• Assist and advise grant managers, business development, and country directors on budgeting for appropriate S&S costs in-country and region.
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile daily/weekly situation reports/monthly security analyses and ensure that the information is shared in a timely manner.

Networking

• Establish and maintain regular contact with other agency security focal points, including NGOs, UN, and local authorities, to share security intelligence and establish best practices for coordinated crisis response.
• Attend security & emergency-related briefings and meetings and share security-related information with third-party security and risk management service providers
• Collaborate with country and regional offices to determine and address security issues in the field as they arise.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

• At least 9 years of INGO safety and risk management experience and proven leadership experience in security assessment, planning, and implementation of procedures in the context of UN or NGO humanitarian operations
• Experience living and working in fragile environments
• Experience working in one of the following sectors: Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Resilience, Protection, Governance and Livelihood
• Experience in liaising with communities, civilians, police, and/or military government authorities, as well as with regional institutions
• Extensive experience in setting up and managing safety and security systems and protocols and providing training to staff and partners
• Experience in coordinating activities across multiple locations
• Experience with different donors, such as EU, German, USAID, DFID, French, UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF
• Experience in staff management of both international and national staff in challenging environments
• Professional fluency in English. Fluency in other languages, such as French or Arabic, is a plus
• Excellent coordination, communication, and networking skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong leadership skills – ability to motivate and manage a diverse team in a complex environment
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and working skills and enjoys a multicultural work environment
• Ability to work under stringent deadlines with acute attention to detail
• Self‐starter with the ability to manage time effectively

Education

• University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or a related discipline
• Formal security qualification or advanced security management training