Safety and Security Officer 247 views

Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association /ELiDA/ is established in 2008 and licensed by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) with Certificate No. 1143. The Association envisions seeing socially responsible, conscious and productive women and girls who are meaningfully empowered to take part in the leadership and decision making processes if the Country’s major societal aspects.

Key Information about the Position

Key Objective of the position

Being a member of the program team and under the direct supervision of ELiDA’s Peacebuilding Program Coordinator, the Safety and Security Officer (SSO) will play pivotal roles within ELiDA, tasked with safety of staff and assets within ELiDA’s operation catchments. The SSO is responsible for conducting thorough security assessments to identify potential security risks. These assessments inform the development and implementation of robust security protocols and procedures, ensuring that all staff are aware of and adhere to these guidelines.

Furthermore, the SSO plays a crucial role in communicating security clearance, managing security incidents, and responding promptly and effectively to any threats or emergencies. By designing and implementing comprehensive safety and security strategies, policies, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the SSO proactively mitigates risks and prevents incidents from occurring. The SSO’s efforts contribute to a secure working environment, enabling ELiDA to deliver its programs effectively and without compromising the safety of its staff and that of its partners.

Specific Responsibility of Safety and Security Officer

• Conduct periodic, thorough assessments and analysis of security situations and risks in ELiDA’s project operation areas.
• Develop and update the Risk Matrix for all projects, develop risk mitigation strategies and anticipate risks and threats.
• Ensure full implementation of ELiDA’s Risk Management Policy and its full security packages in its projects.
• Ensure that the elements of the Contingency Plan are regularly revised and readily available for use when required.
• Support ELiDA team and partners on crisis management and risk based decision-making process.
• Supports ELiDA’s and its partners’ teams in monitoring movements and field mission.
• Analyze the status of security situations and provide suggestions on daily program implementation, such as security clearance and activity restriction.
• Lead the management of security incidents related to the organization’s operations.
• Liaise and coordinate timely and efficiently with ELiDA’s Program Coordinators and its partners’ staff regarding security incidents or threats that potentially could affect project operations.
• Plan the resources and lead in procuring materials for safety and security procedures.
• Ensure that all project staff and partner workers are aware of and comply with security protocols and guidelines of the organization.
• Identify safety and security training needs for ELiDA and its partner teams, communicate findings to the organization’s senior management team for decision.
• Provide basic and refresher training and technical support to ELiDA staff and its partners in security awareness and analysis, developing program contingency plan, firefighting, first aid, standards of operation, and the use of security and safety protocols.
• Ensure full safety and security briefing and debriefing for staff during staff induction sessions and while planning for field mission.
• Proactively participate in program review and workshop to provide suggestions about access, safety, and security.
• Establish, develop, and maintain effective communication and good relationship with authorities and security peers of Search for Common Ground (SFCG), other INGOs, and UN agencies across ELiDA’s partnership.
• Participate in humanitarian security coordination meetings and share any useful updates.
• Develop and lead information gathering networks for security analysis and safety guidance purpose.
• Create detailed maps of the intervention areas with security specifications, including the different actors, stakeholders, groups, security incidents, and trends.
• Work with the ELiDA and SFCG teams on defining the needs, installation, and maintenance of safety and security equipment.
• Support the communication plan for each field office location to ensure the communication flow related to security and safety works well from the entire communication chain.

Qualification and Experience

• BA/MA degree in Safety and Security Management or related field with security training, licensing, and registration.
• At least three years’ experience in a similar role or providing security training.
• Good knowledge of the security environment and understanding situations.
• Basic understanding of humanitarian principles;
• Highly organized with ability to work independently.
• Flexibility to work in different locations with frequent travel including at short notice.
• Previous similar position in the country or experience in volatile environments.
• Experience in security management methodologies and tools for humanitarian missions.
• Experience of telecommunications rules and tools, vehicle management, and building security.
• Experience in designing and leading security training sessions.
• Fluency in spoken and written English, fluency in spoken and written Amharic language, proficiency in any other local language is an asset.
• Proficiency in Office 365, cloud systems, mobile tracking and mapping software.

Other skills required:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Creative thinking, networking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Flexibility and adaptability to a dynamic work environment