Background

HelpAge International(www.helpage.org)  has been operating in Ethiopia since 1992 and has been involved in thematic sectors including social protection, health and wellbeing, humanitarian response, capacity building of partners, and advocacy efforts.

We are looking for motivated and self-driven individuals for the Safety and Security officer who fulfills the following criteria.

Job Purpose

The post holder will develop and ensure the systematic application of safety and security management policies and procedures in all of operational areas of Ethiopian.

The post reports to the Country Director works in close collaboration with the Ethiopian Safety and Security Focal Point (SSFP), and field-based Program Managers, and receives technical support from the Regional Safety and Security advisor. 

Key Accountabilities

Security Management and Systems

• Ensure that all program activities/locations are assessed and monitored relative to their impact on staff safety and security and recommend – for appropriate onward communication – specific protocols and practices to reduce staff risk and vulnerability.

• Continuously monitor the security /safety environment, nationally, and locally for all program areas, and make recommendations to the Country Director, to adjust security policies and procedures as needed.

• Finalize security plans as part of a fully inclusive process involving as many team members as possible. Publish and implement the ratified policy and guidelines.

• Ensure that contingency plans for Evacuation, Relocation, Hibernation, and Medical Evacuation are in place, disseminated, and adopted amongst relevant staff including a detailed contextual assessment and situational update which is regularly revised at least quarterly.

• Ensure and regularly reassess that vehicles, premises, and equipment are compliant with safety and security standards.

• Research and analyze security-related information from a variety of local and international media sources, district offices, the UN, and other INGOs in order to produce a formal weekly security update.

• Ensure that communication systems are adequate and maintained and provide training to staff on the use of such equipment and communications protocols in conjunction with the Logistics Coordinator.

• In conjunction with relevant logistics staff, programme managers and transport staff ensure that regulations for travel in the field are implemented in a systematic and timely fashion.

• Ensure that incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and are sent to relevant staff in Head Office.

Documentation

• Ensure that briefing documents and maps are developed to help orient all new staff (national and international) about the overall security situation in Ethiopia and the particular threats and procedures in the areas where staff will be based.

Capacity Building and Training

• Train and coach, a national counterpart in order that he/she will be ready to assume a security coordinator role.

• Guide train and monitor all staff to ensure the Country’s Minimum Standards in Safety and Security are followed and respected. 

Contract: One year (with possibility of extension)

Reports to: Country Director 

Place of Work: Based in Addis Ababa, with significant travel to field sites in Gambella, Borena & Assosa sites

Job Requirements

Person specification

ESSENTIAL

• A formal security qualification or appropriate security management training.

• Practical field experience in security management in a leadership role (e.g., direct INGO security management).

• Ability to accurately read and navigate using 1:50000 maps, and plot GPS coordinates.

• Experience of incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation, and analysis functions, set up and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), and compilation of security reports and assessments.

• Technical competency and training experience in field-based communications systems such as HF Codan, Motorola VHF, Thuraya, satellite systems, and internet systems.

• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and other database/mapping systems.

• Fluent in written and spoken English.

DESIRABLE

• Previous security management work experience with international NGOs in Ethiopia/East Africa.

•  Knowledge of INGO humanitarian work in emergencies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• BA degree in a related field.

• At least five years of safety and/or security experience is required.

• Advanced training or certification in safety and security preferred.

How to Apply

Submit your updated curriculum vitae (CV) of not more than 4 pages, with a minimum of two referees, including your most recent line manager via email: hr.eth@helpage.org

N.B: Please do not email any of your personal details (such as date of birth, marital status, and religion, or other characteristics)

HelpAge International is an equal opportunity employer and we strive to be inclusive in our teams.