Safety & Security Advisor

Job Title:                                             Safety & Security Advisor

Function:                                            Security

Job Group:                                         Operations

Duty Station:                                     Erbil, Iraq with frequent travel to Ninewa

Administrative Line Manager:         Head of Mission

Line Management Responsibility:   Access Officer

ABOUT US 

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. We work to reduce violence and protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath through the implementation of unarmed civilian protection programming. NP implements programming through the deployment of civilian protection teams to the field and is continuing to scale up to meet the growing needs in the communities we serve. Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection, and inter-communal violence reduction. 

JOB PURPOSE

The Safety & Security Advisor is responsible for overseeing security functions, including security analysis and advice for NP Iraq. This will be achieved through expanding and maintaining the skills and motivation of the team to analyze and manage security and secure a safe working environment. S/he will provide the Head of Mission with consistent, in-depth safety and security advice, threat assessment and develop and maintain robust country security policy and procedures, SOPs, and Contingency Plans. This position interacts with all other functions as well as the field-based program teams. The position includes on-site security support and capacity building to field staff and ensuring that all staff are aware of and trained in the Standard Operating Procedures and related skills necessary for compliance.

 KEY OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES

 Security Information Collection, Management and Communication

• Lead security information gathering, collation and dissemination from a range of local and international sources and produce formal security updates.
• Maintain close contact with all relevant stakeholders to develop a network and build relationships with key actors – NGOs, INGOs, UN and government agencies, security forces and other armed actors.
• Monitor and analyse the security situation, ensuring reliable security information as basis for informed decision-making and maintain a map and log of critical security incidents to support security decision making and ensure staff and management are aware of the issues.
• Provide security context analysis and daily security updates and rapidly communicate relevant security information, analysis and recommendations to SMT and staff.
• Provide on-the-ground security advice and ensure situational awareness to mitigate risks to programme staff in the field.
• Support risk analysis for the country program as a whole, advise the SMT on security-related issues.
• Ensure that a centralized filing system of security-related documents is maintained and available to the appropriate staff.

 Access

• Coordinate with and support the NP Government Liaison Officer with obtaining the necessary access permissions from the relevant government departments.
• Maintain close link with relevant security actors to ensure and negotiate access to implementation areas.

 Risk Mitigation and Management

• Facilitate an ongoing culture within the wider team of security awareness and ownership, and commitment to the procedures and to each other and arrange ongoing training as a key strategy for improved security conditions.
• Produce and ensure adherence to SOPs, contingency plans and risk assessment documentation, ensuring these are up to date and in line with required standards.
• Recommend new protocols, or adjustments to procedures, to improve effective risk mitigation and support drafting of such as necessary.
• In coordination with SMT, ensure that all staff are aware of, and trained in, the procedures detailed in NP security documentation and Standard Operating Procedure documents.
• Lead security assessments in potentially high-risk new programme locations, or travel routes, to make recommendations regarding movements (Go-No-Go) and required risk mitigation steps required if movements are cleared.
• Review standard requests for travel to new locations (regardless of security risk level) or repeat travel to high risk locations.
• Advise on, and develop, contingency plans for critical incidents, including issues like hibernation, medevac, evacuation, vehicle injury accidents, among others and work with staff to prepare for those contingencies.
• Conduct physical security assessments of current and future guesthouse, office locations, and program implementation sites. Provide recommendations for physical security improvements.

 Team Training & Development

• Map security training needs, such as personal security, security management, health and safety and trauma care/first aid, in addition to role specific training for drivers, security guards and other related roles. Coordinate in-field and in-country training, as needed, to meet training needs.
• Plan and lead trainings for all new staff in the priority subjects and regular refresher trainings for all staff to ensure continuity in learning and skills capacity.
• Provide in-depth security inductions for new staff upon arrival and additional briefings for all staff upon major shifts in the security context.

 Qualifications & Preferred Skills 

Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate Degree or Equivalent Level of Knowledge in Safety & Security, International Armed Conflict, Peace Studies, Intelligence Studies, or International Relations.
• Previous experience working with an INGO in a security management position or field coordination position with management of security. Candidates with significant military and private security. management experience will also be considered.
• Previous experience working in a complex and dynamic operational environment. Security Management Course Completed.
• Completed a Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) course within the past 12 months.

Desirable

• Certified First Aid/Trauma Care Trainer for high threat environment.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in providing security and safety advice for personnel and infrastructure against a spectrum of threats.
• Leadership ability with demonstrated capacities to analyse needs, develop a plan and action the plan to completion.
• Comprehensive understanding of strategic, tactical and operational safety and security risk management.
• Previous experience working with and negotiating with armed actors.
• Strong analytical skills on security analysis and conflict sensitivity.
• Excellent organisation and administrative skills.
• Skills in researching, tracking and analysing issues and trends.
• Excellent writing abilities – with capacity for drafting quality documents, briefs and reports quickly.
• Training skills: Ability to lead staff trainings.
• Problem solving capabilities.
• The ability to remain calm, focused, organised and results oriented under pressure and with rapidly changing circumstances.
• Able to balance and integrate security, well-being and programme needs in analysis and advising.
• High-level communication and relationship building skills, able to communicate with discretion and sensitivity.
• Able to build security networks and represent NP externally.
• English writing and speaking fluency.

Desirable

• Strong understanding of the Iraq context.
• Knowledge of humanitarian and development issues and concepts.
• Ability to speak Arabic and Kurdish

HOW TO APPLY

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page) detailing your experience and how you qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
• The closing date for applications is Thursday,20th of March 2023 at 5:00 PM.
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date, apply early
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment before participating in an interview

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

NO FEE

NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.