Manager, Safety and Security (West Africa) At ChildFund International

JOB SUMMARY The primary objective of the Manager, Safety and Security (RSSM) is to provide safety and security expertise and support to enable the safest and most effective implementation of ChildFund’s programs and activities. The RSSM will do this by delivering high-quality security risk management plans and ensuring that each country is achieving the expected standard. ChildFund International operates in 19 countries and four countries in West Africa, ranging from moderate to high risk: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. This role may also include additional countries or/and temporary assignments to other countries. The position is expected to be knowledgeable in NGO/humanitarian programming. The RSSM reports to the Director, Global Safety and Security and has a close working relationship with the Regional Director, Country Directors, global security team, programs, security focal points, and others.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Safety and Security Risk Management Plans
   • The RSSM is expected to be a constant and productive support to each country and the Country Directors (CDs) in achieving our security standards.
   • Facilitates successful implementation of each country’s security risk management plans according to ChildFund standards and using established security systems. Ground truth risk assessments so they are verifiable, inclusive, and clear. Provide quality control and useful feedback.
   • Collaborate closely with each country team to understand and refine practices in safe access for our team and partners in areas of concern.
   • Maintain various records and communicate compliance to the Security Department, Regional Director (RD) and CDs.
   • Ensure risk assessments for new project or emergency response locations are conducted accurately and timely using established processes. This includes being aware of expansion plans and proactively communicating needs early enough to Global Security, CDs and RD for the risk assessments to inform expansion decisions and program design.
   • Able to write succinct and reliable reports.
   • Promote international travel security standards and ensure countries are knowledgeable and can execute travel security standards.
2. Influence and Training
   • Able to present with compelling clarity and demonstrate strong communication skills.
   • Proactively and meaningfully develop country Security Focal Points and Managers. This includes but is not limited to regular visits and collaborating with Global Security to develop individualized learning plans, active follow-up and encouragement.
   • Execute quality and contextual security risk-related trainings (i.e., risk assessments, SOP implementation, etc.) aligned with the global strategy and training criteria.
   • Maintain the global security training register using established criteria and registers.
   • Support the global portfolio when directed by Global Security.
3. Threat and Incident Management
   • Thoroughly understands the threat and security environment of the region.
   • Able to influence a positive incident sharing culture.
   • Proactively report and update incidents using the established protocols and platforms.
   • Ensure threats/incidents that could potentially impact country and regional operations or personnel are being formally communicated and escalated to relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
   • Responsible for information management during a critical event and maintain all notes, logs, and information.
   • Support Global Security, RD and CDs with incident response, reporting and post-incident action and follow-up.
   • Perform surge capacity in region during sudden-onset critical events.
4. Communication and Leadership
   • Disseminates timely briefings, reports, alerts and advisories.
   • Builds a healthy security-programs partnership country and regional teams and leaders.
   • Maintain strong regional networks including governmental and international agencies within the region, including interactive security networks (i.e., OSAC, UNSLT, NGO forums, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Required:
  • Able to work in a matrix reporting structure.
  • Able to travel 40% of the time.
  • University degree in a related field with a minimum of five (5) years of working experience in security/risk management with an International Non-Governmental Organization or other international organization.
  • Strong cross-cultural skills required.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English and French fluency required.
• Preferred:
  • Experience living in another culture and a high-risk environment.
  • INSSA regional security certification or ASIS certification.
  • Training of Trainers certification or Adult Learning skills training certification.

Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.