Safety and Security Officers at Search For Common Ground’s International

Maiduguri, North East Nigeria

Position Summary

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Search Nigeria is seeking a Safety and Security Officers who will be responsible for implementing all policies and procedures regarding security & safety and promoting its day to day management for Search in Nigeria. They will continuously assess the safety/security environment and devise risk reduction measures as needed in coordination with Safety and Security Manager (SSM). This full time position is for 5 months initially, and subject to performance and funding availability may be extended for up to a year.

The Safety and Security Officers will be based in Maiduguri and Delta respectively with frequent travel to field. S/he will report to the Safety and Security Manager and work closely with the Head of Offices (HOOs) of each region and the Admin/Procurement Manager. 

Roles and Responsibilities

• Work closely with SSM to ensure security strategies for Search Nigeria and that response are appropriate and aligned with regional and global priorities.
• Deliver oversight of security prevention, preparation, and response and recovery activities, particularly in their respective offices and to counter threats emerging from changing political, social and economic situations.
• Support them in developing, reviewing and ensuring effective implementation of the Search Nigeria Security Management Plans, SOPs/Contingency Plans, including a security plan in assigned offices, together with key staff
• 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 a personnel and vehicle tracking system in each office.
• Support the SSM in planning and implementing 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 HOOs and field staff 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 field sites to assess safety/security arrangements.
• Monitor implementation of safety and security protocols and promptly advise the CD of any non-compliance and/or concerns/issues.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Qualifications 

 Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or related discipline 

 Required Experience

• 2-3 years of relevant experience at the national or international NGOs in safety and security functions
• Experience in liaising with communities, civilians, police and/or military government authorities as well as with regional institutions preferred.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
• Good context analysis skills.
• Competent and literate in local language of North East/ Niger Delta Nigeria, verbal and written, with a sound knowledge of technical expressions
• Willingness to travel at short notice, and often in difficult circumstances.
• Highly organized and systematic with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and working skills enjoy a multicultural work environment;

Other Relevant Requirements

• Provide safety and security orientation for all new staff, short term technical assistance, expats staff/ visitor/ guests and update training for existing staff.
• Comply with the 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.
• Conduct routine crisis management exercises for all staff and management.
• Conduct regular mock drills in all offices (e.g. fire drill, evacuation, etc.)
• Promote and encourage a safe and environmentally sound culture

Analysis:

• Report, analyze and communicate current socio-political context and the security situation and the wider context (country, region, global trends as applicable).
• Ensure compliance with the incident reporting system and ensuring that the incident register is updated regularly.
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile daily/weekly situation reports/monthly security analysis and ensures that the information is shared in a timely manner.

Networking:

• Build and maintain regular contact with other agency security focal points, including NGOs, UN, USAID 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.