Safety and Security Advisor

Job Title: Safety & Security Advisor

Department: Operations

Duty Station: Tawila

Line Manager: Head of Mission

Direct Coordination with: Head of Mission and Programmatic Technical Advisors

Line Management Responsibilities: None

Position Type: Full-time (6 months initially)

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

Overview:

NP has been working in Darfur for several years, with particular focus on North Darfur and is now looking at expanding its operations. Working through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP), NP centres local communities in preventing violence and promoting positive peace. The NP programming focuses on building capacities within local communities to engage in nonviolent self-protection methods such as protective accompaniment/presence, community-led safety and security initiatives such as conflict de-escalation techniques and early warning/response mechanisms. Secured funding spans several years and offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable, civilian protection.

Job Summary:

This role is an integral part of the country program’s expansion into new areas of the country. The role will be responsible for undertaking detailed analysis for both existing and expansion areas. This will be achieved through expanding and maintaining the skills and motivation of the team to analyze and manage security and to secure a safe working environment. S/he will provide the Head of Mission with consistent, in-depth safety and security advice, threat assessment and develop and maintain robust country security policy and procedures, SOPs and Contingency Plans. This position interacts with all other functions as well as the field-based program teams. The position includes on-site security support and capacity building to field staff and ensuring that all staff are aware of and trained in the Standard Operating Procedures and related skills necessary for compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Security Information Collection, Management and Communication

• Lead security information gathering, collation and dissemination from a range of local and international sources and produce formal security updates
• Initiate and maintain close contact with all relevant stakeholders to develop a network and build relationships with key actors – NGOs, INGOs, UN and government agencies, security forces and other armed actors
• Monitor and analyze the security situation, ensuring reliable security information as basis for informed decision-making and maintain a map and log of critical security incidents to support security decision making and ensure staff and management are aware of the issues
• Ensure the whole team is aware of how to report and manage security incidents
• Provide security context analysis and daily security updates and rapidly communicate relevant security information, analysis and recommendations to SMT and staff
• Provide on-the-ground security advice and ensure situational awareness to mitigate risks to programme staff in the field
• Support risk analysis for the country program as a whole, advise the SMT on security-related issues
• Ensure that a centralized filing system of security-related documents is maintained and available to the appropriate staff.

Tools Development and Team Training

• Map security training needs, such as personal security, security management, health and safety and trauma care/first aid, in addition to role specific training for drivers, security guards and other related roles. Coordinate in-field and in-country training, as needed, to meet training needs.
• Plan and lead trainings for all new staff in the priority subjects and regular refresher trainings for all staff to ensure continuity in learning and skills capacity
• Provide in-depth security inductions for new staff upon arrival and additional briefings for all staff upon major shifts in the security context.
• Recommend new protocols, or adjustments to procedures, to improve effective risk mitigation and support drafting of such as necessary
• In coordination with SMT, ensure that all staff are aware of, and trained in, the procedures detailed in NP security documentation and Standard Operating Procedure documents

Access and Risk Mitigation and Management for Unarmed Civilian Protection Approaches

• Undertake detailed mapping and access analysis for primary, secondary and contingency routes to and from the NP project sites
• Support HoM in mapping access for protection needs, entry points for engagement and de-escalation tactics for engagement with difficult, key stakeholders (authorities, de facto authorities, armed groups, non-state armed groups)
• Support the HoM and other key project team members in ensuring good analysis and relationship building critical to access
• Support Senior Management Team and Base Managers in initiating and maintaining close links to relevant security actors at national, regional, state and local level with relevance per location; where helpful to initiate and maintain own close links as well for negotiating and implementing access approaches. Facilitate an ongoing culture within the wider team of security awareness and ownership, and commitment to the procedures and to each other and arrange ongoing training as a key strategy for improved security conditions
• Produce and ensure adherence to SOPs, contingency plans and risk assessment documentation, ensuring these are up to date and in line with required standards
• Lead security assessments in potentially high-risk new programme locations, or travel routes, to make recommendations regarding movements (Go-No-Go) and required risk mitigation steps required if movements are cleared
• Review standard requests for travel to new locations (regardless of security risk level) or repeat travel to high risk locations, supporting Base Managers and HoM with sign-off
• Advise on, and develop, contingency plans for critical incidents, including issues like hibernation, medevac, evacuation, vehicle injury accidents, among others and work with staff to prepare for those contingencies.
• Conduct physical security assessments of current and future guesthouse, office locations, and program implementation sites. Provide recommendations for physical security improvements.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Undergraduate Degree or Equivalent Level of Knowledge in Safety & Security, International Armed Conflict, Peace Studies, Intelligence Studies, or International Relations.
• Previous experience working with an INGO in a security management position or field coordination position with management of security. Candidates with significant military and private security management experience will also be considered.
• Previous experience working in a complex and dynamic operational environment
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new programming, adjusting traditional security management protocols to fit the needs, agility, and purpose of NP’s Unarmed Civilian Protection approaches
• Completed a Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) course within the past 12 months

Skills and Competencies:

Essential

• Previous experience in providing security and safety advice for personnel and infrastructure against a spectrum of threats in complex and hostile environments
• Leadership ability with demonstrated capacities to analyze needs, develop a plan and action the plan to completion
• Comprehensive understanding of strategic, tactical and operational safety and security risk management
• Previous experience working with and negotiating with armed actors.
• Strong analytical skills on security analysis and conflict sensitivity
• Excellent organization and administrative skills
• Skills in researching, tracking and analyzing issues and trends
• Excellent writing abilities – with capacity for drafting quality documents, briefs and reports quickly
• Training skills: Ability to lead staff trainings
• Problem solving capabilities
• The ability to remain calm, focused, organized and results oriented under pressure and with rapidly changing circumstances
• Able to balance and integrate security, well-being and programme needs in analysis and advising
• High-level communication and relationship building skills, able to communicate with discretion and sensitivity.
• Able to build security networks and represent NP externally
• English writing and speaking fluency

Desirable

• Certified First Aid/Trauma Care Trainer for high threat environment.
• Arabic language

Key Challenges:

• This position will require high levels of coordination and management to have various workstreams moving at the same time
• Building and sustaining collaborative partnerships, negotiating, and resolving contentious issues and conflicts of interest while managing and balancing varied, diverse stakeholder priorities across a geographically dispersed region.

Working Conditions:

• This field position will be predominantly in challenging living conditions, with limited access to amenities and within an unstable environment
• You must be prepared to live in basic or non-traditional accommodation, which may include shared housing, camps, or field-based settings
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to strict security protocols and maintain high level of situational awareness

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector. NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritise ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.