Safety & Security Manager at Search For Common Ground’s International

Position Summary

• Search for Common Ground seeks a Safety & Security Manager to direct the development, implementation and monitoring of an effective strategy to mitigate risk, maintain continuity of operations, and provide for the safety and security of all employees. The idle candidate shall also serve as the subject matter expert on all safety and security related matters. S/He will be responsible for establishing policies and standards affecting safety and security of staff members, field facilities and assets, and program activities globally. Will also ensure security protocols and mechanisms are in place to address country programs’ unique security challenges. The Safety & Security Manager will provide direction and technical support in developing and maintaining country programs’ context-specific field security plans.

Roles and Responsibilities

Department Management

• Support the recruitment and selection of qualified security field staff,
• Support and mentor national security officers, focal points, guards and drivers
• Make frequent site visits to SFCG premises to carry out performance assessments and provide constant support to the security and project team
• Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff

Context & Risk analysis:

• Develop and regularly update the country security profile (with regards to the socio-economic, political and/or military situation in country, the country criminality profile, the nature of ongoing conflicts or crises climatic & seismic hazards and health risks, )
• Follow-up on major country events and developments
• Analyze and locate key local stakeholders
• Develop security trend analysis
• Ensure internal incident tracking system is utilized properly: create an security incident database and perform incident mapping and analysis
• Fill in and regularly update the Risk Analysis Matrix (threat, likelihood, impact, level of vulnerability, level of risk)
• Carry out security assessments of new SFCG areas of intervention or areas under consideration.

Develop and update Country Security Plans, SOPs and Contingency Plans

• Draft and regularly update the Country Security Plan (CSP) for validation by the Country Director and endorsement by HQ and Regional Safety & Security Specialist
• Ensures the travel tracking system works effectively and all staff utilizes it.
• Recommend changes in the Country Security Plan to Country Director and HQ Security department
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adapted to the local context
• Draft and regularly update evacuation and contingency plans in capital and support Area Coordinators in developing Area evacuation and contingency plans.
• Ensure preparedness to evacuation and contingencies (check contingency kits, first aid kits etc.).
• Design and drill a security communication tree (warden system), emergency radio network, and provisioning of emergency supplies for field personnel

Daily Security Management

• Coordinate and monitor security activities to ensure that safety and security policies and procedures are implemented
• Monitors SEARCH Nigeria travel tracking system.
• Ensure that all field staff are fully cognizant of prevailing security threats and fully advised on means to reduce their vulnerability to those threats
• Monitor the security preparedness of country staff and enforce staff compliance with internal security rules and SOPs, ensuring they are communicated to all staff and understood
• Set up and control the implementation of mitigation measures and security rules according to the local context
• Ensure compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and develop action plans for security upgrade
• Carry out security assessments of new SFCG facilities, ensure a standard level of facilities protection, and supervise guards.
• Ensure missions have adapted communication means, and ensure maintenance to support the Logistic team in the Country. Ensure constant update of the emergency contact list.
• Ensure a proper level of preparation before movement on the field, ensure transportation means are adapted, ensure a good fleet maintenance, and set movement rules which are adapted to the local context to support the Logistic team in Country. Ensure operational follow-up of movements.
• Ensure logistics follow a servicing and maintenance schedule for vehicles
• Spearhead security assessment missions prior to SFCG staff deployment to a new area and ensure minimum security standards are in place before their installation.

Crisis management

• Adapt crisis and incident management protocols to the local situation
• Act as a key member of the Crisis Management Team so that safety policies and procedures are implemented

Reporting

• Ensure weekly/monthly security reports are completed timely and sent to Country Director and HQ as the case may be, providing timely updates of all situational and security developments including investigation of security incidents
• Produce real-time incidents report using the security incident report template
• Ensure lessons learnt are quickly documented and infused into policies and processes.

Training and briefing

• Conduct security briefing for each new international staff arriving in the country and new staff during onboarding.
• Design security training modules for Country Director’s approval and HQ/ Regional Safety & Security Specialist endorsement.
• Determine training needs for the security staff
• Train national staff to increase their awareness and sense of responsibilities
• Conduct any staff security training that is warranted (HEAT, training to drivers and guards, evacuation drills, fire safety etc.).
• Carry out investigations and capture lessons learned to be incorporated into future staff trainings

Develop and maintain a security network

• Actively participate in Weekly and Monthly Coordination Meetings
• Create an information network in country, identifying key informants
• Build strong professional relationships with UN agencies, local authorities, other NGO’s (local and international), and all relevant stakeholders

Ensure external representation

• Attend security coordination meetings and update Country Director and HQ on current security issues
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of the SFCG Code of Conduct, values and policies with regard to internal and external stakeholders

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Security Administration or related area or ability to demonstrate a work-based equivalent;
• Experience in INGO security, military or law enforcement background;
• Some familiarity with USAID and other donor agencies policies and procedures;
• Experience working in conflict and post-conflict settings

Required Experience

• Minimum of 8 years implementing security programs and procedures and a strong knowledge of security management in complex environments;
• At least 2 years of working experience in similar capacity in an insecure environment;
• Demonstrated communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to train, mobilize, and manage both international and national staff and ability to multitask under pressure;
• Ability to work well in unstable and frequently changing security environments;
• Willingness to work and live in often remote areas under basic conditions;
• Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
• Exceptional communication skills for explaining complex security concerns, policies, protocols, and procedures to senior management, employees, consultants, volunteers and consistently apply them at all levels
• Knowledge of local language where SFCG operates and/or regional experience is highly desirable