Job Title: Regional Security and Safety Manager, Africa
Reporting To: Global Security and Safety Director
Location: TBD with preference for a country with quick access to RI Country Programs and time zones; frequent field residencies in the Africa region required
Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension
About RI:
Relief International is a leading nonprofit organization working in 16 countries to relieve poverty, ensure well-being and advance dignity. We specialize in fragile settings, responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and chronic poverty.
Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach — which we call the RI Way — emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships and a focus on civic skills. In this way, we empower communities to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.
Position Summary:
The Regional Security and Safety Manager (RSSM) reports to the Regional Director (RD), with technical reporting and liaison to the Global Security and Safety Director based in Washington DC. The RSSM will take on a rigorous leadership role in each Africa region country with particular focus on South Sudan and Somalia. The RSSM will be responsible for coordinating, overseeing and advising on safety and security management of all activities in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and any new country where RI would start operations in Africa. In addition, the RSSM will be responsible for ensuring up to date and adequate risk assessments and SOPs, submitting timely and accurate reports and assessments to the RD and HQ, while representing the organization in security coordination fora. The position may be based remotely or in a country in Africa where RI works (subject to right to work) and requires up to 70% travel.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Coordinates design, establishment and maintenance of security support systems; ensures that RI is linked via all interagency and security coordination lists to ensure RI security presence in the INGO community. Including INSO, OSAC and NGO security forum’ as well as implementation of SLT at RI field level operations.
- Conducts scheduled and ad-hoc field residencies at each program site, including central and sub-offices and program delivery locations for security assessments, audits and ongoing staff training and security awareness. Residencies and site visits must be fully coordinated via the senior country staff and Regional Office team. Each residency will have clear deliverables to be shared with supervisor and country director.
- Upon arrival in each program site, conducts a comprehensive assessment together with the local counterpart / audit of all existing security and safety policies and procedures and their application and practice by all staff at program sites, offices, residencies, and with respect to all vehicles, drivers and standing SOPs; provides and implements recommendations in consultation with the Country Director or most senior Country Representative and with RI GSO Global Security; changes must comply at minimum with RI Field Operational Procedures and SOPs.
- Applies situation appropriate rules and guidance per RI’s Field Security SOP’s, RIGSS, SRA’, CSP’; conducts visits to RI’s field project offices and residential sites to assess security and safety conditions; develops comprehensive risk assessments in conjunction with country counterparts, leading to the updating of effective security plans, educates colleagues on the security plans and ensure compliance.
- Trains, technically supervises and mentors country security staff. Recommends and/or provides staff training on safety and security in a proactive and positive manner that promotes inclusion, participation, and leadership among the entire RI team, including expatriates, local national staff, and women. Is knowledgeable and sensitive to training needs and issues that must be understood to promote a positive organizational profile, cultural respect, and abide by the RI Code of Conduct.
- Takes a lead on regular safety and security drills for all Africa countries: conducts safety and security drills, trains national counterparts in how to conduct drills, and ensures that national counterparts implement drills regularly including but not limited to HRE plans and Warden Systems.
- Leads an ongoing process of design, establishment, review and revision of security policies and procedures to ensure understanding, buy-in, and compliance by staff; routinely revises safety and security plans to adapt to evolving security situation in conjunction with country counterparts and country directors, and GSO Global Security.
- Liaises with local and regional UN & interagency security personnel on security matters for country programs; advises Country Director(s) and GSO Global Security on security issues; provides security briefings and updates for RI staff and visitors.
- In close coordination with Country Directors, develops and maintains contacts with national law enforcement agencies, where appropriate; respects and is fully current at all times on political issues and local policies that impact INGO operations and safety.
- Conducts him or herself and the RI regional security operations in a manner that ensures reduced risk for exposure to issues with any group or government; presents the RI programs in a respectful and positive manner in all interagency interactions.
- Maps security incidents, ensures monthly security reports in all countries and understands patterns and threats; facilitates the development of situation specific, coordinated evacuation plans; writes well-researched security incident reports for review by supervisor and GSO.
- Provides technical and practical assistance to country SMT’ for timely submission of SRA’ and other documentation.
- In coordination with CD’ and the RD routinely draw up and have scenario plans in place as conflicts or programming implementation evolves in the region.
- In collaboration with country teams ensure that RI’ acceptance first policy in security is operationalized at field operational sites to enable secure and safe management of operations.
Minimum Qualification & Experience:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience with, at least 3-year of international security experience working in conflict affected countries and complex relief settings in the fields of both security & communications.
- At least 2-year experience providing security and safety support for international NGOs (required).
- International experience in at least one of the countries where RI operates in Africa is a plus.
- Demonstrated training and mentoring skills a must.
- Demonstrated and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Capacity to carry out multitasks and deliver good quality outputs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of UN MOSS EISF and or Interaction security standards, and other standard INGO security frameworks.
- Excellent references reflecting demonstrated teamwork, maturity of judgment, tolerance for hardship and stress, leadership and integrity of character.
- Fluency in English – written and verbal. Regional languages knowledge is an advantage.
- Ability and willingness to train country staff counterparts; proven training leadership required.
- Must be able to demonstrate strong writing, reporting, and situational analysis skills.
RI Values:
We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:
- Inclusiveness
- Transparency and Accountability
- Agility and Innovation
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
How to Apply:
For consideration please submit a detailed CV, cover letter by March 5, 2019. Due to the critical nature of this position, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants will be interviewed prior to the closing date that may appear on any of the job boards where this is posted.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
