Job Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT VIS 002/2021

VIS-Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo is an International NGO based in Rome, Italy and accredited by Charities and Societies Agency of Ethiopia as a Foreign Charity Organization.

VIS Ethiopia is seeking a candidate for the post of Security Officer 

JOB TITLE: Security Officer

DIVISION / DEPARTMENT / LOCATION: 

VIS Ethiopia

JOB FAMILY:

Programme support

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide safety and security support for the VIS Emergency Programme in Ethiopia

This position is subject to project award and funding, through EU ECHO program.

REPORTING LINES:

Post holder reports to: Emergency Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: To be determined

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: None

CLOSING DATE:

March 18,2021

The Security Officer’s (SO) overall mission is to keep all project personnel and assets safe from harm. S/he has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of operational field security activities, provides continuous security and contextual information to the team and the head office in Addis Ababa, ensures compliance with humanitarian security policies and maintains liaison with the Regional and National UNDSS point person. This position will be based in the Mekelle office, with program activities expected to be carried out throughout Tigray Region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• To develop, manage, and coordinate all VIS security and safety programs, plans and policies relevant to the project including detailed security procedures that comply with VIS security policies. This will include emergency response drills and communication procedures for the project.
• Provides security, safety and risk mitigation advice and recommendations to the management team and staff.
• Ensure that project staff complies with project security procedures.
• Carry out security assessment of offices, compounds and vehicles and make recommendations for required security upgrades, as required.
• Monitor and analyse the ongoing threat environment faced by the project and brief the Emergency Coordinator and other project staff accordingly. Distribute threat warnings to all staff as appropriate.
• Ensure that appropriate risk migration measures are taken by the project to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection equipment and security staff provision, as required.
• Oversee movement control and coordination for the project field staff, including driver and vehicle deployment and staff whereabouts.
• Oversee the local security provider contracted by the project to ensure contractual compliance and performance of their duties, and act as the focal point of contact with the security provider.
• Provide training, mentoring, and monitoring of the local security provider’s guards.
• Conduct regular training and drills for project staff on lock down drills, office evacuation and fire drills.
• Report security incidents, violations and recommended corrective actions, as appropriate, to the Emergency Coordinator and the Country Representative.
• Ensure all new employees, consultants, and partners working in Tigray VIS offices and traveling in VIS vehicles receive appropriate security orientation and briefings.
• Verify that all security devices such as locks, alarms, access systems and physical force protection measures are operational or reported for repair.
• Carry out regular check in calls and communications tests with drivers and field personnel traveling outside of the main cities and or during any critical security incident.
• Ensure visitor access and vehicle control systems are effective and appropriate for the threat environment.
• Review Travel requests to ensure staff safety.
• Work with the Emergency Coordinator to develop and maintain the project Crisis Response Plan in coordination with the Country Representative and ensure that the contact information contained therein is always up-to-date.
• Provide, if directed, a weekly security report to the Emergency Coordinator and the Country Representative.
• Be able to assist with out-of-hours emergency response for the project staff and partners, if needed.
• Ensure that the VIS Sensitive Information (VSI) Plan is distributed to and is being followed by project staff.
• All of the above includes ensuring security protocols are understood and security drills are periodically conducted with staff in all locations.
• Ensure field staff receives first aid and fire response training.
• Ant other additional assignments, as instructed by the Emergency Coordinator or the Country Representative.

The SO should understand, brief and regularly train all project staff on:

• The need for all staff to maintain a good level of situational awareness, and to report concerns.
• Project movement / field trip planning and control procedures.
• Project communications procedures including emergency phone trees, SMS blast service, and contact lists.
• Office emergency response procedures including fire evacuation, direct threat lockdown, etc.
• The need to avoid all demonstrations, possible demo sites and areas where crowd trouble could start.
• The location of the nearest medical facilities.
• Implement and execute actions relating to the Crisis Response Plan.

Job Requirements

SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:

Key Competencies

Essential

• University degree or Diploma in a security-related field is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years related work history is required
• Minimum of three (2) years professional experience in security management for an organization preferably in the humanitarian sector.
• Experience working for an international organization or company.
• Proven understanding of security management protocols essential.
• Demonstrated ability to solve challenging and complicated security issues.
• Ability to develop in-depth understanding of and willingness to comply with all VIS security policies and procedures
• Should have a proven and established network of contacts within the local security establishment in the country.
• Proficient at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. Prior experience using MS Access and web-based database applications.
• Ability to draw information from a broad range of sources and provide concise and timely analysis and recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to engage all team members as resources to manage security and contextual awareness in a manner that is proactive
• Must have the physical capacity to travel extensively on short notice to remote regions within Northern Ethiopia
•  Written and spoken fluency in English.
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages used in Northern Ethiopia.
• Must be willing and able to work in Tigray Region.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Prior experience with INGO security management sector
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.

How to Apply

How to apply:

Interested applicants who fulfil the criteria are kindly invited to submit their application/motivational letter (one page) and updated CV (not more than 4 pages) through ethioJobs.

Copies of supporting documents DO NOT have to be attached. They will be asked only to successful candidates.