Safety and Security Officer - North East at Search For Common Ground’s International

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job type: Full Time - Local
Category: Operations & Administration - Africa - West

Position Summary

• Search Nigeria is seeking a Safety and Security officer that will be responsible for implementing all policies and procedures regarding security & safety and promoting its day to day management for Search in the North East region of Nigeria.
• They will continuously assess the safety / security environment and currency risk reduction measures as needed in coordination with Security team lead.
• The Safety and Security Officer will be based in Maiduguri with frequent travel to the field. S / he will report to the Safety and Security Coordinator and work closely with the Head of Office (HOO) of the region and the Admin / Procurement Manager.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Work closely with Security team lead 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, and to counter threats emerging from changing political, social and economic situations.
• Support 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 Search's security policy, protocol and approach.
• Implement and ensure effective monitoring of a personnel and vehicle tracking system in each office.
• Work with other security focal points 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 learned and any follow up actions / changes to procedures.
• Provide crisis management support (evacuation and hibernation) as required.
• Be readily available at all times 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 Security team lead of any non-compliance and / or concerns / issues.
• Report, analyze and communicate current socio-political context and the security situation.
• Ensure compliance with the incident reporting system and ensure that the incident register is updated regularly.
• Conduct ongoing threat assessments and compile daily / weekly situation reports / monthly security analysis and ensure that the information is shared in a timely manner.
• 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.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science or any related discipline.
• Minimum of 2 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 North East languages, 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 skills.
• Experience providing safety and security orientation for all new staff, short term technical assistance, expats staff / visitor / guests and facilitate training for existing staff.
• Experience complying with systems put in place to enhance security skills and awareness in areas of accident prevention, safety, health and occupational hazards.
• Experience conducting routine crisis management exercises for all staff and management.
• Experience conducting regular mock drills in all offices (e.g. fire drill, evacuation, etc.)
• Experience promoting and encouraging a safe and environmentally sound culture.