Safety & Security Officer At The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund

About GCERF
The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) is a global fund based in Geneva providing grants for national organisations to prevent violent extremism. It signed a Headquarters Agreement with the Swiss government in May 2015, providing it with privileges and immunities in Switzerland.
GCERF is the first global effort to support local, community-level initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience against violent extremist agendas. As a public-private partnership operating at the nexus of security and development, GCERF works in partnership and consultation with governments, civil society, and the private sector in beneficiary countries to support national strategies to address the local drivers of violent extremism.
GCERF provides support to community-level initiatives that: seek to address locally specific drivers of radicalisation; provide tangible, positive alternatives to what violent extremist groups may offer; counter violent extremist narratives and messaging; and build capacity of governments and civil society to counter violent extremism.

Purpose of Position
The Safety and Security Officer manages the Safety and Security System of GCERF. This implies in particular that:
• The Safety and Security Officer (SSO) acts as the security focal point within GCERF. S/he develops and maintains a web of contacts and support in order to deter, prevent or respond to security incidents.
• S/he ensures that GCERF’s safety and security policies, procedures and protocols are robust, appropriate and relevant.
• S/he ensures that staff members are able to implement the agreed GCERF security procedures at all times.
• S/he potentially coordinates the management of incidents with the travel security and medical provider where required.
Organisational Setting and Reporting Relationships
The SSO reports to the Head of Portfolio Management (PMU) even though his/her responsibilities cover the entire organisation. The SSO works in close collaboration with colleagues in the Portfolio Management Unit and Human Resources, as well as other units.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Head of PMU, the Safety and Security Officer will:
Safety and Security Management
• Ensure staff awareness of travel security procedures and adherence to pre-trip travel security procedures
• Screen all travel requests for security concerns and approve, or request security clearance information, as necessary
• Develop and maintain security networks, including with partner field security personnel, which enable the timely warning of security events in beneficiary countries and the implementation of appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures for GCERF missions
• Provide pre-trip security briefings for all HIGH and EXTREME risk rated locations and MEDIUM risk where determined
• Develop and maintain the travel security regulation and related policy, ensuring staff awareness and adherence to the principles contained therein
• Maintain all security documentation and records in respect of travel security
• Develop and maintain the organisational crisis management plan
• Provide security and logistics advice and support to the planning for the GCERF Board meetings and high-level visits.
Monitoring and Risk Management
• Provide, upon request, relevant security and political information to enable the development of programme strategies and funding bids
• Monitor relevant information sources for potential or actual events which may adversely impact travelling GCERF staff, or GCERF programmes and maintain a database to inform risk management assessments and reviews
• Provide notification to travelling staff of incidents which have the potential to affect them
• Notify senior management of health, security, or disaster incidents, which have the potential to impact on the wider organisation.
• Coordinate the management of security/medical incidents, in concert with the travel medical/ security assistance provider (TM/SAP), partners and other contracted entities as necessary
• Support PRs to develop their risk management capability
Training and Capacity Building
• Ensure the provision and recording of relevant security training for staff and partner personnel
• Support PRs to develop their safety and security capacity
Policy creation
• Define and implement security management plans in line with security policy and applicable regulations
General
• Support the Human Resources and Administration Unit to ensure that assistance and insurance covers and contracts are appropriate and cost-effective
• Support the Communications Officer to ensure that GCERF communications and those of principle recipients adhere to the ‘Do no harm’ principle
• In consultation with the Portfolio Management Unit, contribute to the development and implementation of the work plan and operational expenses budget for safety and security
• Undertake other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Profile of the successful candidate
Experience
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in security, risk, disaster or emergency management in the public or private service areas, such as in an NGO, national security, or a corporate environment
• Five (5) years of international experience in Field office management in Africa and/or Asia overseeing security operations.
Education
• Bacherlor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in security management
• An advanced university degree in International Affairs, Relations or Development, Peace-building, Conflict Transformation, or a related field.
Languages
• Fluency in English and French is required.
Competencies
• Ability to develop and maintain effective and respectful relationships with national and international stakeholders and grantees
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and oral communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated composure under pressure
• Capacity to plan and organise one’s work effectively and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Focus and commitment to achieving quality results
• Sensitivity in framing and presenting potential opportunities and challenges, and good judgement in reporting ideas and issues judiciously
• Poise, maturity, and ability to represent GCERF in relevant fora
• Flexibility and ability to stay effective and motivated in a fast changing environment
• Commitment to continuous learning and a desire to keep abreast of new developments in relevant fields of thematic or functional expertise, and contribute to the learning of colleagues.
Travel
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% per year to any countries where GCERF operates.