Safety and Security Officer at Helen Keller International (HKI)

Helen Keller International (HKI) - Established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safety and Security Officer

Location: Borno
Reports: Country Director

Details

• Helen Keller currently conducts programs in 20 Asian and African countries, including Nigeria where we implement programs in Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Lagos and Nassarawa States. Helen Keller seeks to employ a Safety and Security Officer (SSO) for our neglected tropical diseases control and elimination programs in Borno, Adamawa and Katsina states. 
• The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Country Director.

Overall Responsibilities

• The SSO will work closely with Helen Keller Borno, Adamawa and Katsina staff to facilitate safe access to program locations, with daily monitoring of the security situation, conducting regular security risk assessment of Helen Keller program locations and facilities, in compliance with Helen Keller’s Safety and Security Policies and Protocols.
• The SSO will support the Country Director to ensure that staff and visitors understand and follow Helen Keller’s Safety and Security Policies, Protocols, and other Standard Operating Procedures, and provide recommendations for improvement when necessary.
• The SSO will act as a liaison between Helen Keller and other external security networks and represent Helen Keller in security forums as directed by his/her supervisor.
• She/He will develop a wide web of relevant contacts of stakeholders to engage with to address access challenges, collate and disseminate relevant security information before program activities.
• The SSO will build up the capacity, awareness and preparedness of staff and visitors to deal with security-related risks, threats, and incidents through the delivery of high quality and regular safety and security trainings and briefings.

Major Responsibilities
Safety and Security Management, and Technical Quality:

• As the Helen Keller-Nigeria Helen Keller Safety and Security lead, continuously monitor the environment in the operational areas in which Helen Keller-Nigeria is working.
• Track and monitor Helen Keller staff movement and report any movement breaches to supervisors.  Assist program staff in developing movement plans as needed.
• Liaise with government, Army, Police, Department of State Service, INSO, local authorities and other key external stakeholders to ensure that Helen Keller staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.
• Regularly coordinate with peer organization safety staff/focal points to share contextual information.
• Attend relevant external coordination meetings from time to time as requested by the supervisors.
• Organize and conduct trainings on personal safety and security, first-aid, VHF/ satellite phone communication, fire prevention, defensive driving, among others.
• Prepare and circulate weekly security reports for field offices, highlighting key incidents, risks and other relevant information and analysis.
• Vet the safety of hotels and overnight accommodations for field staff.
• Ensure that the Helen Keller-Nigeria Safety and Security Plan, Visitor Guide and associated documents are up to date and reviewed regularly, and staff are constantly kept aware of their contents.
• Supervise and liaise on daily basis with contracted security guards to ensure the guard force is trained and aware of Helen Keller SOPs and are effectively enforcing the required regulations.
• Accompany program staff on field missions on an as-needed basis to better develop an awareness of the challenges faced by Helen Keller staff in the field. Prepare regular field site reports and submit to the CD.
• Conduct access assessment to existing and new program location within the area of responsibility and submit report to supervisors, as needed.
• The SSO will be available 24/7 to respond to any staff concerns or incidents that might require urgent attention.
• Conduct mandatory safety and security briefing to all newly recruited staff, and visitors and to all field staff before commencement of field activities. He/She will keep track/record of all staff briefed and provide monthly update to supervisors.
• Share information and collaborate on security tasks with other Helen Keller security staff across the organization.
• Monitor and track Helen Keller and external incidents that have the potential to affect Helen Keller-Nigeria program implementation and security rating (“level”).  Maintain incident tracking tool/map.
• Ensure Helen Keller Incident Reporting Procedures are followed.
• Submitting when required voice, email, or SMS immediate advisories to Field staff when significant security incidents occur. This will include updating and testing on a bi-weekly basis the Helen Keller warden and Bulk SMS systems. Ensure that he/she keeps an up-to-date staff contacts list and reviews/updates it regularly.

Research, Learning and Analysis:

• Continuously using different established sources such as UNDSS, UNOCHA, INSO and other independent sources, collate or research security information, produce objective analysis that can be used to make informed decision to the security management plan.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree Security Management / Disaster Management / Military Science / International Relations / Public Administration or a field related to Humanitarian Work or Risk Management.
• Computer skills (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and internet)
• Professional training and certification with recognized Security bodies will be considered.

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years of “hands-on” work experience in security management with international NGO operating in the Northeast or other hostile areas.
• In-depth knowledge or work experience in conflict or post-conflict and/or complex emergency environment.
• Previous service or work experience with Nigerian military forces will be a desired advantage. Certificate of discharge will be required as a proof.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Experience conducting Security Risk Assessments in INGO hostile environments, developing security plans and standard operating procedures
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in security management, advisory, analysis and capacity building role in an international organization setting.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in fast-paced team environments and to be available 24/7 whenever a security incident occurs.
• Training and facilitation skill using different training media.
• Languages: Fluency in English, Hausa and Kanuri is mandatory
• Competency in using, maintaining, and training staff on field-based communications systems (HF, VHF radios and Satellite phones).
• Security incident analysis and report writing skills.
• Strong communication (verbal and writing) skills and interpersonal relationships development skills.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use mapping software (Google Maps, ArcGIS, or other applications).
• Ability to Travel regularly to Helen Keller sites in Borno and Adamawa States and any other locations as may be assigned by supervisors.

Standards of Professional Conduct:

• Helen Keller staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the Helen Keller Code of Conduct.
• In accordance with these values, the Helen Keller operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their comprehensive Resume with a Cover Letter as ONE Ms Word document to: [email protected] using the position title as the subject of the email.

Note

• You will receive an auto response confirming your application. Note that applications will not be accepted after the above closing date. 
• Helen Keller Does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, test, interview meeting, processing, or training).
• Helen Keller Does not ask for information on applicants’ bank accounts.
• Helen Keller Does not recruit through any recruitment agency.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All Job adverts MUST carry our Equal Opportunity Employer message below:

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.
• We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us via the email

Application Deadline  5pm; 15th January, 2021.