Employer: Search For Common Ground
Location: West Africa
Closing date 16 Aug 2020
We are looking for a West Africa Regional Safety & Security Specialist who will provide support to West Africa Country Offices through increasing capacity and offering technical support and advice on all aspects of staff safety and security and by ensuring appropriate systems are in place at country level. The position holder will be responsible for conducting security analysis, adapting Search security plans to our countries of intervention, ensure that Search security management capacities are homogeneous throughout our geography footprint, develop high standard SoPs and provide the necessary training for Regional Office (Dakar) and Country Offices staff throughout the region.
The position holder will review and analyze incident reports and security updates. In addition, the position holder will be available to be deployed to Search declared emergencies to ensure safety and security management is addressing emergency response needs.
The position will be based either in Dakar (Regional Office) or in one of the Country Offices (with a preference for Bamako or Niamey), report to the Regional Director for West Africa, and work closely with the Country Directors in all country offices. The position holder will manage the security focal points for each West Africa Country office. French proficiency is required for this role.
Security Management and Support
Work closely with the Regional and Global team to ensure security strategies for all country offices and that response are appropriate and aligned with regional and global priorities with consideration to respective local context
Deliver oversight of security prevention, preparation, response and recovery activities, in all West Africa Countries and to 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
Work closely with the Global S&S Manager as to the situation in the region
Manage the implementation of a comprehensive security and business continuity management system taking cognizance of the evolution of situations
Ensure that all safety and security management systems are in line with existing Search security policy, protocol and approach
Implement and ensure effective monitoring of personnel and vehicle tracking systems in each respective country office
Plan and implement risks mitigation strategies (acceptance, deterrence, protection) to improve safety and security
Ensure that appropriate safety and security systems are in place to provide timely and accurate security information to all staff members and visitors
Lead incident management, lessons learnt and any follow up actions/ changes to procedures
Provide crisis management support (evacuation and hibernation) as required
Be readily available at all times to the Regional Director and Country Directors to advise on security developments
Maintain an updated Search staff contact list and security notification tree and test the tree on a regular basis
Conduct regular site visits to state offices and field sites to assess safety/security arrangements
Monitor implementation of safety and security protocols and promptly advise the Country Directors of any non-compliance and/or concerns/issues
Capacity Building
Work with the Security Focal Points of each country office to provide safety and security orientation for all new staff, short term technical assistance, expats staff/ visitor/ guests and update training for existing staff
Ensure that there is a system in place to enhance security skills and awareness that are required for effectiveness especially in areas of accident prevention, safety, health and occupational hazards by planning and facilitate appropriate learning and development opportunities
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
Promote and encourage a safe and environmentally sound 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 current socio-political context and the security situation and the wider 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 to analyze the overall security situation in existing and potential areas of Search intervention
Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile daily/weekly situation reports/monthly security analysis and ensure that the information is shared in a timely manner
Networking
Build and maintain regular contact with other agency security focal points, including NGOs, UN, and local authorities related to security issues and concerns especially in program implementation areas in order to gather reliable security information, facilitate the sharing of best practices and the adoption of an integrated approach where possible
Attend security & emergency related briefings and meetings and share security related information with third party security and risk management service providers
Collaborate with country offices and regional office to determine and address security issues in the field as they arise.
Experience
At least 5 years’ INGO safety and risks management experience and proven leadership experience of 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 provide training to staff and partners
Experience of coordinating activities across multiple locations
Experience with different donors i.e. EU, GERMAN, USAID, DFID, FRENCH, UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF
Experience of staff management of both expats and national staff in challenging environments.
Skills Required
Professional fluency in English and French
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, 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.
How to apply
Deadline for applications: August 16, 2020 Close of Business
Please apply on our website here.
Location: West Africa
Closing date 16 Aug 2020
We are looking for a West Africa Regional Safety & Security Specialist who will provide support to West Africa Country Offices through increasing capacity and offering technical support and advice on all aspects of staff safety and security and by ensuring appropriate systems are in place at country level. The position holder will be responsible for conducting security analysis, adapting Search security plans to our countries of intervention, ensure that Search security management capacities are homogeneous throughout our geography footprint, develop high standard SoPs and provide the necessary training for Regional Office (Dakar) and Country Offices staff throughout the region.
The position holder will review and analyze incident reports and security updates. In addition, the position holder will be available to be deployed to Search declared emergencies to ensure safety and security management is addressing emergency response needs.
The position will be based either in Dakar (Regional Office) or in one of the Country Offices (with a preference for Bamako or Niamey), report to the Regional Director for West Africa, and work closely with the Country Directors in all country offices. The position holder will manage the security focal points for each West Africa Country office. French proficiency is required for this role.
Security Management and Support
Work closely with the Regional and Global team to ensure security strategies for all country offices and that response are appropriate and aligned with regional and global priorities with consideration to respective local context
Deliver oversight of security prevention, preparation, response and recovery activities, in all West Africa Countries and to 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
Work closely with the Global S&S Manager as to the situation in the region
Manage the implementation of a comprehensive security and business continuity management system taking cognizance of the evolution of situations
Ensure that all safety and security management systems are in line with existing Search security policy, protocol and approach
Implement and ensure effective monitoring of personnel and vehicle tracking systems in each respective country office
Plan and implement risks mitigation strategies (acceptance, deterrence, protection) to improve safety and security
Ensure that appropriate safety and security systems are in place to provide timely and accurate security information to all staff members and visitors
Lead incident management, lessons learnt and any follow up actions/ changes to procedures
Provide crisis management support (evacuation and hibernation) as required
Be readily available at all times to the Regional Director and Country Directors to advise on security developments
Maintain an updated Search staff contact list and security notification tree and test the tree on a regular basis
Conduct regular site visits to state offices and field sites to assess safety/security arrangements
Monitor implementation of safety and security protocols and promptly advise the Country Directors of any non-compliance and/or concerns/issues
Capacity Building
Work with the Security Focal Points of each country office to provide safety and security orientation for all new staff, short term technical assistance, expats staff/ visitor/ guests and update training for existing staff
Ensure that there is a system in place to enhance security skills and awareness that are required for effectiveness especially in areas of accident prevention, safety, health and occupational hazards by planning and facilitate appropriate learning and development opportunities
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
Promote and encourage a safe and environmentally sound 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 current socio-political context and the security situation and the wider 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 to analyze the overall security situation in existing and potential areas of Search intervention
Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile daily/weekly situation reports/monthly security analysis and ensure that the information is shared in a timely manner
Networking
Build and maintain regular contact with other agency security focal points, including NGOs, UN, and local authorities related to security issues and concerns especially in program implementation areas in order to gather reliable security information, facilitate the sharing of best practices and the adoption of an integrated approach where possible
Attend security & emergency related briefings and meetings and share security related information with third party security and risk management service providers
Collaborate with country offices and regional office to determine and address security issues in the field as they arise.
Experience
At least 5 years’ INGO safety and risks management experience and proven leadership experience of 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 provide training to staff and partners
Experience of coordinating activities across multiple locations
Experience with different donors i.e. EU, GERMAN, USAID, DFID, FRENCH, UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF
Experience of staff management of both expats and national staff in challenging environments.
Skills Required
Professional fluency in English and French
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, 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.
How to apply
Deadline for applications: August 16, 2020 Close of Business
Please apply on our website here.