Yemen Security Coordinator At GiveDirectly

About GiveDirectly:

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving – and millions of lives – by allowing donors to provide capital grants directly to the world’s poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year, much of which is allocated to evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing a benchmark, and in the process accelerate the end of extreme poverty. GiveDirectly has raised over $700M in revenue (>$300M in 2020 alone), while being recognized as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company. The growing movement toward cash transfers and GD’s role in that movement have also been featured in This American Life, Foreign Affairs, The Economist, and Business Insider.

We’re looking for exceptional talent to grow our collaborative, diverse team. Joining GiveDirectly provides the opportunity to work alongside individuals who come from 21 different countries and speak 69 different languages. We’re actively working toward an equitable and inclusive environment for all team members, and seek candidates who will bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our organization. We recruit from organizations across all industries: our team has hailed from sectors including start-ups, government, consultancies, investment banks, and nonprofits.

Role Overview:

GiveDirectly, a leading international humanitarian and development organization, is planning to launch a humanitarian program in Yemen in 2022. In preparation for this program launch, the GiveDirectly country representative will be traveling to Aden in late September to coordinate with government stakeholders and other entities to finalize registration. The Representative will also be traveling to different areas of Aden and the surrounding governorate to identify vulnerable communities in need of humanitarian assistance.

The Security Coordinator will be responsible for all logistics and safety considerations and arrangements for the GiveDirectly Country Representative, including coordinating hotels, transportation, scheduling meetings, transportation to and from all appointments, security briefings and recommendations.

Candidates must be based in Aden and willing to travel around the city and surrounding areas of Aden governorate as is deemed safe and necessary.

Please note you must be based and authorized to work in Yemen.

Tentative Contract Length: September 25 – October 27, 2021

General Responsibilities:

This role requires your full time availability for the duration of the trip to provide key security coordination services, including pre-travel security assessment of the situation in Aden. The includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Ability to coordinate with the Ministry of International Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IDP Executive Committee, Al Kuraimi Islamic Microfinance Bank, and any other relevant entity that the GiveDirectly team advises the Security Coordinator to coordinate with to schedule meetings, drop off or pick up documents, etc.
• Available 9am-6pm, 6 days a week, tentatively starting September 25th until October 27th, 2021
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on-call in case of emergency/special circumstances
• Be able and willing to travel to and from the hotel where the team will be staying, and to travel with the team on all excursions from the hotel
• Be in regular communication with other security professionals in Yemen to keep current on all potential security incidents in Aden and recommend security plans on a daily basis

Before Team Arrival Responsibilities:

• Risk Assessment:
• Assessing the level of risk faced by the team during their stay in Aden, taking into consideration the overall political and security dynamics in Aden, and recommending steps or the team to take based on the risk assessment to minimize risk to the team
• Recommending emergency procedures before the team arrives in Aden for a number of potential emergency scenarios based on the most common security/emergency concerns in Aden
• Identify emergency evacuation procedures for getting the GiveDirectly team out of Aden and Yemen in case the security situation deteriorates. This should include a scenario in which the airport is closed
• Lodging:
• Recommendation on whether or not Aden Coral Hotel is the best choice for the team to stay at from a security (first) and quality (second) perspective. Are there other accommodations that are safer/better for international staff? Why or why not?
• Make all reservations at the hotel for the GiveDirectly team
• Travel:
• Confirm Covid 19 travel restrictions and PCR testing certification requirements at Aden airport
• Advise on/confirm any airport arrival visa related charges or fees (for U.S. passport holders)
• Advise travellers on how to pass through customs and security at Aden Airport quickly and safely
• What to say/not to say regarding reason for visit, etc.
• Transport:
• EITHER the security should have their own or be able to rent a 4×4 vehicle in good working order OR they nominate a number of well-known drivers, where only ONE will be eventually chosen, ensuring the following driver selection requirements:
• Is available to work for the visiting team full time (9am-6pm, and outside of those hours to be willing to be on call 24/7 as needed) during the scoping trip (Sept. 25th – Oct. 27th)
• Is trustworthy and has no criminal history
• Has a number of references that can be contacted to vouch for his trustworthiness, safety, past work experience and professionalism
• Has his own 4×4 vehicle in excellent working order, or has a relationship with a car rental company that can provide a 4×4 vehicle in excellent working order (GD/PH will cover the cost of any car rental)
• Has experience providing services to foreign visitors or organizations
• Is not known to be part of any political affiliation or militia group which might pose a security risk to the visiting team
• Knows the city extremely well, including alleys and informal passage ways and entry and exit points to all neighborhoods, in the event of a security threat or conflict outbreak
• Has a service-oriented mindset, is flexible and is willing to and can run errands, as needed, for the visiting team, including:
• Driving government, private sector and INGO guests to and from hotel as necessary/instructed
• Bringing outside food orders (as needed)
• Delivering documents,
• Carry out other relevant tasks as necessary
• Is not known to be armed

While Team is in Aden

• Airport Pickup
• Ensure car and driver are at the airport to pick the team up on arrival
• Assist the team in clearing customs/immigration (if required)
• Ensure most secure route to hotel is taken (this also requires an experienced and security-conscious driver)
• Before Arrival at Hotel
• Ensure that the rooms booked at the hotel are the safest rooms possible
• Ensure that the hotel has strong, uninterrupted internet. If not, recommend alternatives so that the team can have strong internet throughout their stay in Aden
• Availability of (6) local sim cards for travers with an adequate ‘balance’ on each card to enable local calls for the duration of the trip
• Organize how the team can obtain sufficient local currency
• Confirm hotel bookings and rates for the duration of the visit
• Daily responsibilities:
• Morning briefing at the hotel on the security situation in Aden
• Discussion of daily itinerary and any security risks posed by the itinerary
• If the team is leaving the hotel, recommend routes for the day in consultation with the driver
• Schedule meetings with local partners including government officials, INGO, UN and bank representatives
• Miscellaneous:
• Any other reasonable task required by the team depending on the circumstances

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of work experience in a role that required logistics and security coordination
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and analytical skills
• Previous experience working with international organizations or companies
• Ability to manage day-to-day security, travel and logistics arrangements
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly independent and self-directed manner, while effectively communicating upwardly about gaps and risks
• Deep connections with government, UN and INGO entities in Yemen and Aden
• Strong alignment with GD values (see below)
• Arabic and English fluency required

In addition to the specific skills required for each role, we’re looking for candidates who are aligned with our GD Values, and who demonstrate our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.

*GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect children, vulnerable adults, and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH)” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.*