Safety, Security & Access Manager At Save the Children

***Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note that the position might be filled before the vacancy announcement is closed; therefore, early applications are encouraged.***

The Opportunity – Safety, Security & Access Manager (For Nationals based in Westbank)

Post location: oPt Country Office- Ramallah

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 1 year.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Safety and Security Manager for the Country Office and West Bank will report to the Safety Access & Liaison Director to conduct safety and security assessments, make recommendations, and support their implementation of the country’s programmes. The Safety and Security Manager will facilitate the implementation of Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards within country programmes, help drive systemic change in safety and security management quality and contribute to building compliance with minimum Standards. He/she will also take forward the organisational security ethos. The post holder will play a vital role in developing a robust safety culture for SCI and have a lead role in the INGO Security Management Team.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Safety Access & Liaison Director.

Staff reporting to this post: Safety & Security Coordinator, & working closely with Security Focal Points (SFP).

Budget Responsibilities: NA.

Country Dimensions: oPt CO is a high complexity country, multi-member interest, with an annual budget of around $40+m, and 100+ staff. Currently the program is experiencing a growth in funding and complexity due to the war in Gaza.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Analysis, Planning and Strategic Guidance:

• Provide timely, accurate and consultative situation analysis, actor mapping, and Security Risks Assessment for Country and Field Locations that will guide decision making for new awards/ proposals and emergency preparedness actions, and inform decisions on geographical reach, program interventions, and partners.
• Support in conflict sensitive analyses and development of relevant and appropriate mitigation measures to inform operational and programmatic decisions.
• Translate Security Risks Assessments into practical and pragmatic Security Management, Incident Management, Business Continuity, and Contingency plans for all locations. With rapidly changing environment, these plans should be reviewed regularly.
• Support the development and monitoring of the Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPPs) in scenario planning and risk monitoring.
• Promote the concept that safety and security plans and guidelines should be jointly developed by the whole team to create ownership and encourage compliance as a natural and integral part of programme planning and implementation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for gathering real-time and actionable intelligence on security threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents
• Utilise advanced networking and information technology tools to monitor and analyse open-source intelligence, social media, and other relevant platforms for emerging security risks and trends.

Operational Security Management and Compliance

• Responsible for overall safety and security of Save the Children staff, reputation, and assets for the country programme.
• Develop a culture of security through consultative approach at all staff and partner levels. Promote the concept that safety and security plans and guidelines should be jointly developed by the whole team to create ownership and encourage compliance as a natural and integral part of programme planning and implementation.
• Regularly review performance against the KPIs and S&S Essential Standards of SCI and will strive to achieve full compliance to the Standards.
• In consultation with the RSD MEE, conduct quarterly reviews of the KPI Standards. The post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing the work plan and to achieve full compliance of the oPt CO.
• Participate in project designing and engage with relevant awards/programme teams along with leadership to ensure that adequate security budgets are allocated for new and existing awards that should cover costs for site security measures, communication equipment, protective equipment along with staff trainings and development.
• Provide Security briefings to incoming visitors within 24 hours of arrival and security orientation to newly hired staff within first two weeks of starting.

Humanitarian Access and Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in formal or informal NGO/UN security and analysis networks/forums in the area to share information with other partners (contribute and gain access to security analyses).
• Ensure up to date coordination with relevant authorities to facilitate movement of staff/partners to all operational areas, ensuring robust maintenance of records and timely renewal of necessary permits and coordination.
• Ensure high level visibility of team members on timelines, related restrictions for coordination or movement.
• Maintain relationships and liaise with all stakeholders involved in movement and access issues for staff and/or goods to all operational areas, including but not restricted to the UN, Israeli, Palestinian Authority, and De-facto authorities.

Equipment and Communications:

• Ensure that all SCI sites are secure with the S&S equipment in accordance with S&S policies (alert, firefighting, smoke detector, access system, closed circuit TV (CCTV), IVMS).
• Ensure appropriate systems Emergency communications tree (ECTs and Warden Systems) are in place to effectively disseminate safety and security information, updates and alerts to SCI staff.
• Assess security equipment & communications needs and recommend improvements-technological aspects to make sure that all equipment is operational and in good condition.
• Budget the dedicated security expenses on a yearly basis.

Incident Reporting and Management

• Ensure swift incident reporting from field to country and SCI reporting systems within 24 hours of incident occurrence through Datix system.
• Monitor the follow up through Datix and train the SFP on the system.
• Support in the development and update of the Incident Management Plans for country and field offices.
• With the help of field security teams, develop location specific contingency plans that are resourced with relevant logistics and supplies to respond to critical incidents.
• Available 24/7 to respond to critical incidents and ensure earliest possible reporting, using all available means of communication.

Security documentation

• The Safety and Security Manager will be the custodian of Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards for oPt. They will be responsible to manage and implement the policy and ensure programmes are delivered accordingly.
• Keep all S&S related plans updated in a relevant manner (S&S management plan SSMP, Incident management plan IMP, Contingency plans including medical evacuation, Hibernation Evacuation and relocation plan HERP) but also the PDI Pre departure information, Communication tree, security briefings, and induction briefings.
• In-line with SCI Safety and Security Policy, the post holder will develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and implement them at all locations in coordination with the local security team.
• Send the monthly/quarterly reports updated and on time to the RSD (Situational analysis, threat rating scores, Essential standards, PDI)

Partner Support

• Developing the capacity of partner organizations in terms of Safety and Security Management through an elaborate capacity development plan entailing training and development, policies, procedures etc.
• Assist in the evaluation and implementation of actions to reduce risk across partner programmes.
• Ensure a reliable incident reporting and management system is in place from partners to SCI.
• Ensure that Save the Children is able to fulfil its duty of care responsibility towards partners by including adequate security provisions and funding in proposals/ partnership agreements with local partners.

Training and Development

• Carry out safety and security training needs assessments for all in the country office and Westbank Field office staff. Ensure that all staff received trainings/briefing and orientation through an elaborate yearly training and development plan. He/ she will design and conduct any necessary trainings.
• Ensure that the mandatory training requirements i.e. Personal safety and security E-training (PSSE), IT security and Kidnapping and Hostage Survival training for oPt staff is met.
• Support in the conduct a crisis management training/refresher regularly to the SMT members, managers, and coordinators.
• Design and deliver trainings to improve the skills and capacities of Field Managers and Field safety and security focal persons (SSFP) through a yearly workshop.
• Lead training programs for staff members on secure networking practices, information security protocols, and awareness of potential cyber threats.
• Collaborate with the organisation’s training department to integrate security awareness into broader capacity-building initiatives for staff working in high-risk environments.
• A vital responsibility of the Safety and Security Manager is supporting the Field Office teams in building capacity and being a deployable resource during exceptional circumstances. Responsibilities include:
  • Identify gaps within the Field Offices’ security management and planning and help resource improvements.
  • Source external training options for the Field Office program and safety and security teams.
  • Support the Safety and Security Officers to mentor new and junior staff to aid recruitment and professional development.
  • Serve as a coordinator for Safety and Security Officers to develop contingency plans for critical incidents, sharing best practices and ensuring consistency.

Workplace Safety and Security

• Ensure that all facilities (Offices, guest houses, warehouses, programme sites) are security assessed and security cleared and compliant with the dedicated standards.
• Ensure site security plans fulfil the SCI Security Standards requirement for critical risk locations and should provide relevant specifications, as well as security enhancements and associated costs.
• Acting as the focal point in developing the safe working arrangements during critical incidences i.e. humanitarian crisis, security incidences, and supporting the CD and SMT in implementing safe/alternate working modalities.

Road Safety and Fleet Management

• In coordination with the logistics departments, ensure that SCI vehicles, drivers and passengers are prepared and informed of road travel risks and all possible mitigation and training elements are in place for safe road travel.
• Ensure robust vehicle tracking system is in place that can ensure early detection and relevant response for road accidents and possible security events during field missions.
• Mission briefings/de-briefing protocols are followed and contribute to decision making for future field missions.
• All road accidents are reported on SCI reporting system and critical road accidents are investigated by logistics and security team.
• Participate to the yearly Road safety week campaign by promoting safe driving best practises in oPt.
• Serve as primary focal point for visits, site assessments, group tours, or similar, as needed by the CO to ensure safety and security coordination, and necessary travel permits.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS

• University MA Degree, preferably in Risk/ Security/ Crisis Management, Certification in Security / Risk Management is a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• 5+ years’ experience of Security Risk Management.
• Documented experience of leading the development of Security Risk Assessments, Actor Mapping, and Context Analysis along with developing various safety and security plans (Security Management, Incident Management, Contingency plans, and business continuity plans).
• Hands on experience of managing crisis at field and country office levels. Well versed with humanitarian security management and “Do no Harm” principles as per UN, Interaction and European Interagency security forum (EISF) guidelines and familiarity with the integrated role of safety and security at the heart of programme operations.
• Experience of Humanitarian Emergency response in security critical threat environments.
• Well versed with Acceptance approach of S&S management and have used it extensively in previous assignments.
• Excellent understanding of Palestinian conflict and humanitarian situation on ground. This includes familiarity with the various key actors impacting the political and humanitarian environment of the conflict, including the United Nations, INGOs, NGOs, governments, and donors.
• Superb interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, establish information networks, and coordinate with country authorities, militias, donors, International Organisations and local NGOs.
• Ability to work autonomously in a highly stressful and challenging environment with tight deadlines and limited resources.
• Proven skills in concise and succinct report writing and using Microsoft office tools.
• Excellent time management skills to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin all aspects of the job.
• Resourcefulness and creativity in developing the role of security within the overall country office programmes and ensuring the most effective support.
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments.
• Fluent in English and Arabic (written and spoken).

Desirable

• Security certifications (CSP, PSP, UN Security Management, NEBOSH)
• First Aid / HEAT Master Trainer
• Working with local NGOs/ CBOs
• Fluency in Hebrew is an added Value.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. This role is offered on the basis of national terms and conditions. Application will be reviewed and selected on a rolling basis.

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.