Aug 8, 2021

Safety and security Officer

Employer: Plan International
Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

The Organization
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Role Purpose: 
Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organization committed to children living a life free of inequalities, exclusion and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Value Proposition

The Safety and Security Officer will work under the direction of the Country Director to oversee the safety and security of Plan International Cameroon at the Country Office level and coordinate and provide guidance to the field offices. Implement global safety and security Policies, procedures, guidelines and optimize a comprehensive Safety and Security plan for Plan International in Cameroon as a whole.

Dimensions of the Role

The Safety and Security Officer role involves, but is not limited to: promoting a culture of safety and security, security risk management, security operations, including securing and maintaining the humanitarian access, security incident management, monitoring and analyzing security trends in Cameroon for humanitarian response, provide the required training to all Plan International Cameroon staff, support the implementations of Global and Regional safety and security measures. Close coordination and monitoring with the Far North and North West/South West Safety and Security Officers.


Accountabilities

Safety and Security Coordination and Management
The Safety and Security Officer will assess, develop, and periodically review the security management procedures and the security contingency plans in conformity with Global and local requirements of Plan international based on security risk assessments and security trend analysis;
Improve the safety and security of Plan International Cameroon by establishing early risk mitigation strategies to improve the safety and security of the organization nationally;
Ensure that all staff, visitors, and partners receive relevant security briefings, SOPs, and guidelines in advance before and immediately upon arrival;
Ensure the physical security off all offices, and rented premises such as residences follow organizational Global safety and security policies;
Prepare and review the security budget allocation and utilization in line with organization rules and regulations;
Provide technical advice to CMT, CLT, on safety and security management and operations staff members;
Advice the CD and the CLT on country security trends and security risks, including incidents management, crisis management, hibernation, relocation, and evacuation
Manage day to day operations to ensure the safety and security (offices, vehicles, security guards, documents, assets, for development programs and humanitarian responses;
Ensure all staff, CMT and CLT, and field offices staff fully understand the safety and security context in their area of activities.
Work as an active member of the CMT.

Monitoring and Reporting

Assess safety and security communication needs and recommend improvements by regularly inspecting all communication equipment;
Compile the incident tracker regularly and share the different reports with the Regional Safety and Security Manager (Incident reports, security trends reports, flash reports, etc.);
Carry out a daily and weekly situation analysis and provide advice to the Country Director and members of the Country Management Team;
Provide accurate security information analysis and insights to the Country Management Team;
Ensure all field offices comply with Global safety and security standards by conducting periodic security audits;
Be proactive in intelligence gathering daily to raise awareness on potential risks.

Emergency Preparedness and Response
Contribute to the country’s emergency response by providing safety and security risk assessments and trend analysis per region;
Develop the Safety and Security operational contingency plans and emergency preparedness plans in close collaboration with the field offices.
Advise CLT, program and field management teams on specific risks threatening humanitarian access and ensuring the safety and security of staff and assets;
Lead the development and implementation of safety and security risk mitigation measures and plans for the Country Office and field offices.

Networking

Maintain a database of relevant contacts at National Level and at the Field level that could be useful during crisis management situations;
Create and maintain a network with INGOs, NGOS, UN, and other humanitarian actors to obtain timely and relevant information;
Maintain a network of Plan International safety and security personal in the WACA Region Country Offices.

Ensure best practices are documented and shared in the Area for the purpose of Plan’s visibility and positioning as a reputable development and humanitarian organization.
Support HoP in implementing the internal control measures as well as audits preparations, management response and actions.


Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Experience & expertise
Comfortable working at operational, tactical, and supervisory levels;
Engaged with Plan International core Values and behaviors, respect of diversity and safeguarding;
Must be able to evaluate and objectively analyze safety and security events;
Be able to work and motivate teams;
Able to work with minimal supervision;
Strong interpersonal skills
Knowledge of travel security, occupational safety and safety and security operations;
Work closely with other departments to identify security gaps and to develop training as needed;
Able to provide training to small and medium groups;
Prepare and provide regular safety and security training for Plan International Cameroon on security preparedness and response.

Skills

At least five years experiences working in the safety and security field in INGO, NGOS, UN System, Private security services providers or Public security forces;
Bachelor Degree or advanced safety and security certification;
French and English languages proficiency required;
Work ethics
Commitment to humanitarian principles;
Able to work in a multicultural setting.


Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable
Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact
Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together
Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering
Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

The position will be based in the Country Office (Yaoundé, Cameroon) with frequent in country travel.

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