Security Officer Job at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is a leading international organization helping children in need around the world. First established in the UK in 1919, separate national organizations have been set up in more than
twenty-eight countries, sharing the aim of improving the lives of children through education, health care and economic opportunities, as well as emergency aid in cases of natural disasters, war and conflict.

In Nigeria, Save the Children has been working since 2001. The early focus was on getting children actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Today, Save the Children is working in seven federal states - Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna - focusing on providing basic healthcare and protecting children.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Security Officer

Location: Gombe
Reports to: (Direct)TBD Field Manager, (Indirect) National Safety and Security Manager, CO

Role Purpose

• The Safety Officer will work closely with the National Safety & Security Manager and Gombe Field Manger to carry out safety and security assessments, make recommendations and provide support for the implementation of SCI programs in the state. 
• The Safety Officer will facilitate the implementation of Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards within country programmes and help drive systemic change in the quality of safety and security management and contribute to building country compliance with safety and security Essential Standards. 
• He/She will also take forward the organisational security ethos. 
• While on assignment the post holder will play a key role in the capacity building of Safety & Security Focal Points.
• They will be expected to undertake a leadership role in an emergency and support the team leaders and team at a senior level.

• Engage country programme management and staff as well as staff at all levels to facilitate the adoption and compliance with the Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards
• Undertake Security Risk Assessments for any and all emergency responses and humanitarian operations
• Assess and evaluate country/programme security guidelines and make recommendations for improvements using the Standards in the Save the Children Policy and Standards for security management plans, evacuation contingency plans and standard operating procedures
• Enforce SC Nigeria Standard Operating Procedures, and provide recommendations to Field Operations Manager for improvement
• Promote the concept that safety and security plans and guidelines should be jointly developed by the whole team to create ownership and encourage compliance
• Track daily field missions and movements of all staff
• Report and assist in managing safety and security incidents
• Report on safety and security at weekly meetings, and provide updates and information, verbally and in writing as well as send in weekly security situation report.
• Assist Field Operations Manager in organizing the core Crisis Management Team and rehearsing and executing contingency plans.
• Undertake implementation and compliance with Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards
• Develop and deliver capacity building in safety and security training for staff
• Provide safety security management advice, guidance and support Gombe Operations
• Provide and Coordinate technical assistance and guidance to Gombe Operations in implementing action plans based on Safety & Security Manager assessments and recommendations
• The post-holder will comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child safeguarding, safety and security, code of conduct, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
• Provide Security briefing to all Safe and visitors to their Locations
• Promote the concept that safety and security is an integral element of programme design and operations and should be amongst the first planning considerations
• Assist the National Security Safety and Security Manager to Manage the  safety and security for day-to-day operations any and all emergency responses and humanitarian operations
• Undertake implementation and compliance with Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards
• Ensure the physical site security of all offices and program locations under the jurisdiction of the Gombe operations
• Oversee the contract management and daily management of guards

• Formal security qualification or advanced security management training
• Advanced level of understanding with the philosophy and mode of operation of NGOs
• Recommended a minimum of 5 years field based experience in complex and insecure settings
• Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military government authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions
• Experience of incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation and analysis functions, set up and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), compilation of security reports and assessments
• Strong analytical capacity, resourcefulness and creativity in developing the role of security within programmes and ensuring the most effective support to line management
• Ability to balance demands of beneficiary and security actors while maintaining appropriate contextual NGO security advice and coordination
• Experience in providing safety & security trainings such as personal safety & security, fire safety, and first aid
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments
• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other database/mapping systems
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Knowledge and understanding of Nigeria, the Northern States particularly Gombe
• Ability to speak Hausa
• Commitment to Save the Children values
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Excellent planning, coordination and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies

• Bachelors degree in a related field