Safety and Security Coordinator At Caritas Austria

Caritas Austria (CAUT) delivers high-quality humanitarian aid, recovery, and development projects in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. CAUT’s Middle East Program spans the humanitarian aid-development continuum; addressing acute survival needs while simultaneously strengthening education and livelihoods opportunities in deprived communities. Protection and gender mainstreaming, as well as safeguarding, are crosscutting priorities in our work. CAUT’s projects are implemented through a range of long-running partnerships – primarily with Caritas Internationalis (CI) sister organizations. Key reference points in our work include the SPHERE Charter, Caritas Internationalis’ Partnership Principles, as well as CAUT’s 2019-2024 foreign aid strategy.

The Safety and Security Corodinator plays a key role in developing and monitoring CAUT’s safety and security policies and practical guidance inside Syria. Responsibilities include assessment and review of all aspects of safety and security of local and international staff including needs and response analysis, building and maintaining partnerships, sector coordination, and providing technical guidance. All aspects of this position are governed by a strong commitment to humanitarian standards and Caritas Internationalis’ Partnership Principles.

The Safety and Security Coordinator will be part of CAUT’s (seconded) Middle East/ Asia team, based in Damascus, Syria. They will be part of the Caritas team structure in Damascus, and report to the Vienna-based Senior Programme Manager (on workplan tasks/progress) and to the Head/Deputy Head of Damascus office (on matters of partnership and operations in Syria). Other important communication lines are with project controllers, communication colleagues, and other (field-based) Caritas staff.

Responsibilities

Key tasks

• Ensure adherence with the Caritas Austria Local Safety and Security Plan and SOPs for Syria
• Review and update the Local Safety and Security Plan and SOPs
• Implement Safety and Security Policies and Guidelines in all of Caritas Austria’s project locations
• Organise and facilitate safety and security trainings for staff in Syria
• Conduct safety and security briefings and induction for staff and visitors
• Ensure staff movement tracking
• Ensure all incidents are reported and documented
• Provide regular context updates to the Head of Office, HQ Safety and Security Advisor, Senior Programme Manager and Head of Unit
• Prepare a weekly security report to the Head of Office, HQ Safety and Security Advisor, Senior Programme Manager and Head of Unit
• Develop and maintain a local security network for information purposes
• Assist in incident and crisis management
• Collaborate with programme staff to understand security needs in programme development and implementation and ensure security needs are budgeted
• Promote and share ideas for technical and other improvements
• Support the development of annual work plans in close cooperation with the team and line management colleagues
• Supervise the regular inspection and maintenance of office safety and security equipment and supplies, ensuring that all devices and materials are fully functional and meet established safety standards.

Office Tasks

• Manage and coordinate routine maintenance of the Damascus office facilities by ensuring timely servicing of utilities, equipment, and furniture, thus maintaining a safe and efficient working environment.
• Oversee the upkeep of the guesthouse by monitoring and managing maintenance activities for utilities, equipment, and furniture to ensure the consistent meeting of accommodation standards.
• Coordinate regular maintenance of the Head of Office’s residence, including systematic checks and servicing of utilities, equipment, and furniture to guarantee a secure and comfortable living environment.

Logistics

• Oversee and implement a scheduled maintenance plan for the office generator – including weekly operational tests, monthly functional inspections, continuous fuel level monitoring, and preparation of detailed usage reports – to ensure uninterrupted power supply and operational readiness.
• Coordinate travel planning and facilitation for team members travelling between governorates. This includes managing local travel requests, processing security clearances, providing travel recommendations, booking vehicles and accommodations, and liaising with relevant partners to secure safe and efficient transport arrangements.

Strategy and partnerships

• Promote a spirit of trust and transparency in exchanges with implementing partners at all levels, in line with CI Partnership Principles
• Participate and represent CAUT in relevant working groups, coordination mechanisms and clusters, providing reports as appropriate
• Ensure close cooperation with implementing partner organisations; link partner staff with opportunities for capacity building
• Ensure that implementing partners are familiar with relevant CAUT policies relating to safety and security
• Provide technical support and expert guidance to partners by advising on the planning and implementation of security and logistics activities. This entails assisting partners in reviewing and strengthening their security/logistics policies and procedures in line with humanitarian best practices.

Skills: Knowledge, Understanding, Abilities

• Ability to write reports and make presentations in English with a high degree of competency (test at interview)
• Knowledge and understanding of supporting staff and organisations in Syria with safety and security and a minimum of 3 years’ experience
• Ability to work in Damascus, Syria and travel as required (nationally and internationally)
• Proven ability to work in constructive partnership with a range of organisations, networks, authorities
• Excellent communication skills; a positive and enabling spirit
• Good organisational and management skills; flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Experience in delivering capacity building trainings, developing high quality, and engaging resources.

Other tasks

• Participate actively in meetings, capacity building and internal working groups as required
• Accomplish occasional tasks related to other projects or activities of CAUT upon prior agreement