Senior Safety & Security Officer at Mercy Corps

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since December 2012, focusing its interventions on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation.

PROGRAM / DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY

Mercy Corps Nigeria is looking for a Senior Safety & Security Officer to be based in Kebbi state, to support the implementation of a rapid COVID response program through Mercy Corps’ USAID Feed the Future-funded Rural Resilience Activity. The rapid response program will support vulnerable populations and livelihoods through Cash for Work and strengthen supply chains through smart Cash Subsidies.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Country Safety & Security Manager (CSSM), the Senior Safety & Security Officer (SSSO) will be responsible for the security analysis and strategic planning support required by the team within the geographical locale in which operations are situated. The SSSO is responsible for ensuring security protocols are in place at the responsible field sites, maintaining security information networks and assisting all the responsible personnel in operational, programming security and liaison activities. The post-holder will likewise be responsible for outreach and coordination to local NGO networks, as required, to support coordinated engagement work within the relevant geographical locale.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Security Analysis & Operational Security

• Work with the Country Safety & Security Manager (CSSM), Field Managers, Team Leader and field teams to monitor the security environment in the designated areas of Nigeria, with particular focus in the program areas of operations.        
• Stay informed (through media, social media, contacts, etc.) about the safety and security situation in areas of operations on daily basis.
• Liaise with security counterparts in other parts of the state and the country to understand how security situations in other areas affect.
• Verify acquired information through secondary sources.
• Maintain regular contact with field teams about the safety and security situation in their area.
• Produce advisories, incident reports, security updates and other work products as directed for CSSM review and dissemination to staff.
• Produce immediate security advisories to be put out on various security channels to ensure staff safety.
• Review staff movement to the field and give advice to mitigate risks as necessary. Produce road assessments, etc. for dissemination to staff.  
• In conjunction with the CSSM prepare and deliver relevant security trainings for relevant staff (i.e. guards, drivers, program staff, etc.)
• Vehicle & Staff Tracking: Track vehicle movements where and when required until the safe, arrival
• to destination. Give advice regarding road movement as needed prior to movement (i.e. identifying safe areas, sharing road assessment, etc.
• Provide initial analysis of relevant security development and communicate them to the CSSM.
• Update and disseminate Local Area Security Plans, Contingency Plans, Security Bulletin Boards, and other documents on a quarterly basis or as directed by the CSSM to relevant staff.

Coordination

• Daily check-ins and tracking with field teams on transit on mission in the field offices.
• Actively seek opportunities for formal and informal cooperation in security.  
• Develop a network of relationships with peers in the humanitarian community in the field office (UN, NGO,  appropriate governmental offices, etc.).
• Pursue opportunities to engage others in our community in creative solutions to our security challenges through collaborative efforts.
• Any other duties which are not listed but are essential to the safety and security for MC staff members and properties.

Staff Management

• Mentor the SFPs to fulfill their safety and security responsibilities at the field-level.
• Work with Head of Office to include necessary safety and security information for staffs and visitors into the field office, including on arrival briefing for new and visiting staffs.
• Work with the CSSM to develop and implement security orientation for new staff (international and national) and visitors.
• Work with the CSSM to identify security training needs of team members and include security awareness as an essential part of program trainings and refresher workshops.
• Assess the training needs of drivers and guards in consultation with CSSM.

Liaison Activities

• Stay abreast of political developments and humanitarian trends in Nigeria, with an emphasis on the humanitarian crisis in the areas of operation, informing the CSSM.
• Ensuring sufficient capacity and knowledge to support policy analysis and strategic planning around the humanitarian architecture and operational issues.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager, Team Leader and CSSM to act as official representative at meetings with external engagement targets.
• Identify and liaise with external partners.
• Liaise with leads from relevant international coordination structures.
• Engage with peace building and resilience working groups, through calling for meetings, drafting action-oriented meeting notes, support in sourcing for presenters and developing agenda for the meetings.
• Ensure collaboration with other NGO Security Officers.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work.

Reports directly to: Country Safety & Security Manager (CSSM)

Works directly with: Security Focal Points, Field Managers, Operations Manager, Team Leader, Program Managers, Field Teams.

Supervisory Responsibility- Static guards where applicable.

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced university degree in related field.
• Minimum 5 years of security management experience is desired. At least 3 years of security management experience with an INGO. 
• Relevant work experience in policy analysis, influence, strategic planning, communications, research, media, data gathering and/or information management
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement strategies with clear theories of change
• Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills and ability to formulate well-targeted strategic documents
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and often demanding environment
• Fluency in English required, with demonstrated writing skills
• Computer literacy in using Microsoft Office and email/internet.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies. Good context analysis skills.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated attentions to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.
• Experience living and working in the Areas of Operation preferred.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures highly desirable.
• English proficiency required; excellent written and oral skills.
• Ability to speak Hausa or Kanuri and any other local languages (desired but not essential)