The responsibility of the Safety and Security Coordinator is to lead the design and implementation of the security management framework within the Johanniter Middle East Office, providing operational support to the Country Director and local project offices. This position develops, in conjunction with the Country Director, strategies to ensure the safety of staff, assets, and operations in the project locations throughout the Middle East. It includes risk assessments, crisis response coordination, stakeholder engagement, and staff and partner training while ensuring compliance with organizational and local security requirements.
Tasks:
Strategy and Vision:
- actively supports the values of Johanniter and thus shapes the work accordingly.
- contributes to the development and implementation of the global strategy of Johanniter International Assistance in his/her area of responsibility
- supports the implementation of the country strategies in his/her area of responsibility in line with the global JIA strategy
Leadership:
- actively lives and leads by example, upholding the Johanniter leadership principles and creating a culture where the leadership mindset can emerge and thrive, actively empowering and guiding team members to an inclusive, accountable work environment to achieve shared goals and embrace change
- this is reflected in the day-to-day activities in line with the Code of Conduct and related policies to achieve our goals
Safety and Security Management:
- in coordination with the Country Director and Global Safety and Security Coordinator, leads the development, implementation, and regular review of safety and security policies and procedures tailored to the context, ensuring alignment to Johanniter standards and local requirements
- ensures regular security risk assessments in all operational areas to ensure the safety of staff and assets
- supports the Country Director and field offices in managing and responding to security incidents, including evacuations and crisis management, ensuring staff safety and clear communication with headquarters
- provides analyses of evolving security trends, prepares high-level reports for leadership on risks and incidents to mitigate identified and emerging risks
- leads the development, review, and implementation of context-specific contingency and evacuation plans, ensuring practicality and staff awareness
- oversees and advises on physical security measures at project locations, including site inspections, access control mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements
- ensures the planning and monitoring of secure travel arrangements, including risk-based route planning, vehicle checks, and coordination of escorts when necessary, especially for high-risk areas.
- ensures organizational compliance with both local security regulations and donor security requirements, including conducting audits and revising security protocols as necessary
- provides timely and strategic analysis of the security environment and translates these into operational and procedural recommendations across all departments
- serves as technical lead and advisor to the country office on all matters related to safety and security, promoting a proactive and inclusive risk management culture
- manages the implementation of applied safety and security measures via the logistics team in close exchange with the Country Director.
- maintains oversight of secure travel arrangements for all staff and visitors, ensuring risk-informed protocols are applied consistently across all divisions
- if required, works weekend duties / out-of-hours work and participates in local fact-finding missions
Capacity Building:
- ensures security-related training and briefings is provided to all team members and visitors as applicable
- ensures the availability, functionality, and staff training on emergency communication equipment (SatCom, radios)
- coordinates capacity-building initiatives for national and international staff, as well as partner organizations, on safety and security topics to strengthen organizational preparedness and individual competencies
- mentors field-level focal points and supports the integration of safety and security responsibilities to build local ownership and ensure sustainability of risk management practices
Representation, Communication, Liaison, and Networking:
- establishes and maintains effective relationships with local security networks, government authorities, and other NGOs UN agencies, and relevant security actors to ensure timely information-sharing and coordinated responses
- serves as primary liaison and access focal point fostering trust and collaboration with local stakeholders, like INGOs, community leaders, and government authorities to enhance staff access and acceptance in operational areas
- leads internal communication on security matters, ensuring ongoing awareness of risk information and incident updates to senior leadership, field teams, and relevant HQ counterparts
- advises the Country Director on the external security environment and implications for programming, humanitarian access, and staff safety, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic planning
Safeguarding:
- contributes actively to the implementation of the JIA Code of Conduct
- ensures that measures within the safety and security policy and addresses safeguarding risks, including safe access to facilities and protection from exploitation or abuse
- ensures safety and security policies and applied procedures are non-discriminatory and consider specifics of at-risk groups, like e.g. women, LGBTI+, or persons with disabilities
Person Specification:
Professional Qualification and Experience:
- Relevant qualification (Bachelor) at a recognized institution in International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Anthropology, Law, Sociology or equivalent in experience
- formal security qualification or advanced security management training is a must
- at least 5 years’ experience in safety and security with a humanitarian or development non-governmental organisation in different international contexts
- experience in security management in high-risk and conflict settings
- experience in security risk management standards, conducting security assessments, and implementing security management systems and protocols
- experience in providing training for non-security staff
- ability to respond positively to challenges and to find creative and innovative solutions to problems
Skills:
- willingness and eligibility to travel inside Jordan and to Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and other countries in the region, even under difficult conditions
- willingness to work proactively and build and improve security management systems
- strong understanding of geopolitical landscape and conflict dynamics in the Middle East
- proactive and anticipative working style; effective in dealing with ambivalent situations
- highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including diplomacy, negotiation, and the ability to work with staff from diverse backgrounds and cultures
- excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills
- excellent team player
- ability to deal with conflicts, manage resistance, being able to remain focused, cope with frustrations and work with a minimum of supervision
- willingness to work irregular hours, work on weekends
- fluent in English is a must; fluency in Arabic a strong asset
- working knowledge of GIS applications and General IT-literate.
How to apply
If you are interested, please submit your CV and cover letter to the email address below:
recruitment.mena@thejohanniter.org