Project Security Officer at Creative Associates International

Job Summary:  

The Program Security Officer’s overall mission is to keep all LEARN staff in the Borno and Yobe States safe from harm. S/he has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of operational field security activities, providing continuous security and contextual information to the LEARN team in the Borno and Yobe States. The Program Security Officer (PSO) will report to the Program Security Manager (PSM). The PSO will be based in Maiduguri with frequent travel to the field in Borno and Yobe States.  

Essential Duties: 

• Work with the PSM to manage the safety and security of LEARN staff in the Borno and Yobe States.
• Implement security procedures that comply with the LEARN Security Plan, in collaboration with the PSM. This will include emergency response drills and communication procedures for the project.
• Provides security, safety and risk mitigation advice and recommendations to LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States.
• Ensure that LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States comply with project security procedures, including travel protocols.
• Monitor and analyze the ongoing threat environment faced by the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States. Distribute threat warnings to staff as appropriate.
• Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are taken by the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection of equipment and security staff provision, as required.
• Report security incidents, violations and recommended corrective actions as appropriate to the PSM.
• Ensure all visitors receive appropriate security orientations and briefings.
• Conduct regular training and drills for staff.
• Be able to assist with an out-of-hours emergency response to the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States, if needed.
• All the above includes ensuring security protocols are understood and security drills are periodically conducted with the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States.

 The PSO must understand, brief and regularly train all the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States on:

• The need for all staff to maintain a good level of situational awareness and to report concerns.
• Project communication procedures including emergency phone trees, WhatsApp alert groups and contact lists.
• Office emergency response procedures including fire evacuation, direct threat lockdown, etc.
• The need to avoid all demonstrations, possible demo sites and areas where crowd trouble could start.
• The location of the nearest medical facilities.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Education & Experience, Skills and Abilities

• BA degree highly required in related field
• At least 4 years of prior work experience (4+ years of general work experience and including at least 2+ years in security management in the context of international development required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Previous experience in the areas of risk management or civil, police or military security; ideally as a full-time risk or security manager of a project or organization.
• Experience working in Borno and Yobe States.
• Experience with the implementation of security policies, procedures and protocols.
• Previous experience with USAID funded projects is desired
• Proven ability to work well as a team and in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, flexible work style and detail oriented.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and Microsoft Office software.
• Thorough knowledge of spoken and written English highly desired, average level required.
• Proficiency in Hausa required.