Safety and Security Manager at Youth Integrated For Positive Development Initiatiative

Duty location: Maiduguri, with Minimal field-based visits

Report to: Executive Director
Duration: 12 Months with possibilities of extension

Job Overview/Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director and technical support of Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Coordinator (HASSC), the Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager (HASSM) should maintain, improve and expand principled humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in area of responsibility through development and overseeing the implementation of humanitarian access and security management plans in compliance with YIPDI’s strategy and in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, Duty of Care and Gender Equality principles.

The post holder will provide professional advice to all YIPDI entities based in Borno state, to identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in the areas of operations and will ensure that adequate and up-to-date policies and procedures are in place and ensure people have the information they need to manage operations, to identify issues, and to recommend and implement measures to reduce them.

The Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager Position, under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of supports the teams in Maiduguri, Gubio, Magumeri and Gajiganna in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risk to facilitate access for humanitarian programming, operates within acceptable Safety & Security risk levels.

The role will work independently but where necessary, with technical support from the existing YIPDI security structure to ensure that the project staff deployed to the field are supported and oriented on the required protocols. To achieve this, the HASSM will be based in Maiduguri and regularly support the team in Gubio, Magumeri and Gajiganna.

The role will further entail advising the management team and other project staff on various security matters; contribute to implementing the security policies and facilitate the rollout of security SOPs, and regular reporting on compliance.

The HASS Manager will liaise with the HASS Coordinator, Senior HASS Coordinator and externally liaises with relevant stake holders like the military, police DSS, government officials and traditional authorities for collaboration, acceptance, and ease of access. The HASS Manager will organize regular security training and refresher training to enable staff have a constant understanding of the context and existing security plans.

Major Responsibilities

Humanitarian Access Management:

• Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites throughout the location range.
•  Ensure humanitarian access approaches are responsive to local context and include overarching community engagement components. 
• Ensure that the YIPDI field safety, security, and access teams conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in Nigeria in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and the YIPDI’s strategy.
•  Work to ensure that YIPDI, its mission and work in the areas of operations is known and accepted.
•  Work to encourage stakeholders to work with the YIPDI in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities in Northeast.
• Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new YIPDI programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations within project location.
•  Assist in the continued development of humanitarian access teams and activities across location of intervention.
•  Contribute to developing and implementing guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors articulating standard YIPDI policy and guidance.
•  Oversee and advise on the implementation and review of tailored acceptance strategies. Maintain a high level of preparedness vis-a-vis predicted contextual fluctuations operationally and programmatically. 
• Enhance YIPDI image and acceptance within the community and amongst stakeholders by providing guidance on inclusive visibility strategies.
•  Work with appropriate YIPDI units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of YIPDI’s Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles.

Manage humanitarian access and security for conflict-affected populations.

You have:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree preferably in a field related to Security Risk Management.
• Substantial practical field experience in security management in a leadership role (e.g. direct INGO security management).
• 5– 15 years’ work experience in insecure/hostile environments with /NGO as security officer.
• Experience and knowledge of personnel and organizational security issues, threat/risk assessment, security management and security awareness in an insecure environment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Local language is a plus.
• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Geographic Information System 

Safety and Security Risk Management and System:

• Share Daily Security Report/updates with all staff in location of intervention and head office.
•  Share Daily Situation Report/updates with SMT, HASST team and other relevant senior staff.
•  Maintain updated security incident and ensure timely reporting of security incidents and dissemination of security information to all staff.
•  Ensures that incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and distributed to the Management team.
•  Conduct security briefing and orientation to all newly hired staff, staff on mission or international visitors using the standard briefing format. His/her will ensure that an updated briefing tracking sheet is maintained. 

With the support of relevant staff, conduct security risk assessment of the program locations in all areas of intervention using the standard SRA & Security Level tool, and to monitor the contextual trends prior to and continuously after deployment of staff.

 Work closely with Field Coordinator, HASS Coordinator and Senior HASS Coordinator to ensure that Safety and Security Standards in Maiduguri office are maintained and implemented in line with the recommendations from assessment repots. 

• Assist Field Coordinator and HASSC to collate, analyze, and disseminate security information as approved or advised by the SHASS Coordinator to the project staff and ensuring the information remains accurate and neutral.
• Contribute to the development and review of Project field offices FSMP, CPs, security plans, Contingency plans, and standards operating procedures. 
• Enforce Security SOPs within the area of jurisdiction and advise staff accordingly. Constantly and immediately notify the SHASS Coordinator of any breach to the procedures in the SOPs. 
• Conducting regular checks on YIPDI premises in Gubio, Magumeri, Gajiganna and Maiduguri, provide recommendation on their improvement and follow up on their implementation. Any areas of improvement to be reported to SHASS Coordinator, HASS Coordinator and Field Coordinator for immediate action. 
• Initiate security alerts as appropriate in line with the ever-evolving security context across states through the existing Warden System, Bulk SMS, and Early Warning Group.
•  Ensure that staff movement are well tracked and communication using Sat Phone is maintained.
•  Guide field teams on how to undertake security risk assessments during field missions to program areas and potential program areas, report on findings and design necessary improvements. 
• Work on identification and mitigation of potential security risks to staff, assets and operational/program security and validates mitigation measure within security risk assessments.
•  Monitor events, review incidents, and coordinate analysis, follow-up actions and recommendations in close coordination with the HASS Coordinator and the Field Coordinator. 
• Provide security update, which includes situational analysis, actions taken, and actions recommended to the Field Management Team on a regular and as per request basis.

Documentation:

• Ensure all S&S documentation for Northeast as per Global S&S policy and Standards are update and systematically filed.
•  Ensure that a centralized filing system of security-related documents is maintained in Nigeria. 
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile reports on security assessments of offices, staff guest houses, field sites and project areas.
•  Systematically map all incidents on a dedicated map and provide timely analysis to identify emerging trends. Ensure field offices adhere to the same process and share information with the post holder.

Briefing, Training and Capacity Building:

• Ensure Security briefings (arrival and complete) are of adequate quality and done in timely manner.
•  Work with national and international staff to build a shared understanding of security analysis and risk mitigation.
•  Provide an annual training/ development plan for YIPDI staff in Borno state regarding safety, security, and access. 
• With the support of the SHASSC & HASSC, develop a standardized security training method and provide security training for all staff in safety and security related subjects ensuring that policy and guidelines are understood and are being adopted and implemented across the program. 
• Act as a team facilitator during the development of Field office Security Management Plans. 
• Build capacity of Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Officer and other YIPDI staff in Northeast. 
• Guide and train all staff to ensure the Country’s Minimum Standards in Safety and Security are followed and respected.

Coordination & Representation:

• Coordinate and liaise on program safety and security matters with all relevant actors in Borno state such as national and international NGOs, UN, government authorities and other stakeholders within the population. 
• Proactively share information with staff in the field ensuring high security awareness levels, close situation monitoring and effective two-way communication on security-related issues. 
• Under guidance of the SHASSC, serve as a key resource to YIPDI and its operational partners in times of emergencies, such as natural or manmade disasters.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Executive Director 
• Position directly Supervises: Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Officer in Maiduguri

Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree preferably in a field related to Security Risk Management.

Work Experience:

• Substantial practical field experience in security management in a leadership role (e.g. direct INGO security management). 
• 3– 5 years’ work experience in insecure/hostile environments with I/NGO as security officer. 
• Experience and knowledge of personnel and organizational security issues, threat/risk assessment, security management and security awareness in an insecure environment. 
• Experience of incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation and analysis functions, set up and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), compilation of security reports and assessments. 
• Experience in training and coaching national and international staff in safety and security. Technical competency and training experience in field-based communications systems such as HF Codan, Motorola VHF, Thuraya, satellite systems and internet systems. 
• Ability to adapt to needs and balance demand of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination.
•  Sound knowledge of humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality as outlined in the Humanitarian Charter and the International Red Cross Code of Conduct. 
• Strong report writing, analytical and interpersonal skills experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Proven experience as a professional and reliable manager (including management of people and projects) Highly skilled in organizing large-scale, fast-paced, responsive field programs
•  Situational awareness and opportunity awareness Solid ability to provide team building, coaching, and development for staff as well as encourage cross-functional collaboration and cooperation 
• Solid organizational and coordination skills
• Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent YIPDI at forums and with external stakeholders
•  Strong negotiation and mediation skills with experience in conflict resolution are essential Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders 
• Experience working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc., with sensitivity and diplomacy. 
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands

Languages:

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Local language is a plus

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

Full professional competency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Geographic Information System and Power BI knowledge is a plus.

Ability to Travel: 40% of time if applicable

Standards of Professional Conduct. The YIPDI and YIPDI workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the YIPDI Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the YIPDI operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality****: YIPDI is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

YIPDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. YIPDI considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• YIPDI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction based on age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.