About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Senior Safety and Security Officer

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.OUR WORK IN ETHIOPIA

Since the early 1970s, we have been working to address the underlying causes of poverty and marginalization by focusing on developing sustainable livelihoods, providing water and sanitation, agriculture, climate research, gender, and humanitarian issue.                     Job details

DIVISION: OperationsTEAM: Programme teamLOCATION: Gambella, EthiopiaCONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term Contract for one year with possibility of extension GRADE: D1 National                            JOB FAMILY:  Programme SALARY: As per the Oxfam benefit packageHOURS: 37.5 per weekFLEXIBLE WORKINGWe believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. This is a full-time role; however, Oxfam offers various flexible arrangements which candidates can discuss with the Recruiting Manager at the interview stage.TEAM PURPOSE:Safety professionals and other staff tasked with safety and security matters, supported by programme/project managers and other Oxfam staff are to ensure that all Oxfam working locations have the capacity to effectively support the management of safety risks in order to enable Oxfam to effectively meet it’s programme objectives.JOB PURPOSE:The job purpose of Senior Safety and security officer is supports Oxfam Ethiopia programmes’ capacity to manage safety risks effectively providing for effective implementation of programme objectives.POST HOLDER REPORTS TO   Refugee Response Program ManagerJOBS REPORTING TO THIS POSTNoneBUDGET RESPONSIBILITY  No

1.     Analysis & Safety Risk Assessment – 20%

• Support context & situation analysis and risk assessments in existing and potential areas of humanitarian intervention.

• Develop practical advice and recommendations to the Response Manager and other Oxfam staff on risk prevention and mitigation measures.

• Provide for accounting of safety incidents and their mapping for identification of safety trends and patterns.

• Ensure regular analytical reporting to the Response Manager and other staff as applicable.

2. Core Safety Related Responsibilities – 40 %

• Support the development of safety strategies (acceptance, protection, and deterrence) in line with Oxfam safety policy, requirements, and protocols.

•  Coordinate and support day-to-day safety risk management, including monitoring situation; gathering and sharing information; implementing

• Safety and security Standard Operating Procedures and risk prevention and mitigation measures; and reporting.

• Advise and support the Response Manager, program managers, and other staff on safety matters.

•  Establish and maintain working relationships with partners, local authorities, armed actors, and other relevant stakeholders for information gathering and providing for safe and secure environment.

•  Review the Local Safety Management Plan (LSMP) and Welcome Pack and other specific safety documentation to ensure safety protocols and procedures are relevant and up to date.

• Support proper contingency planning, including incident management, emergency relocation, evacuation, and hibernation.

• Support the Response Manager and other senior staff in managing safety incidents.

• Lead on incident reporting, including via Oxfam Security Incident Reporting Information System (OSIRIS).

3      Safety Awareness and Training – 40 %

•   Lead on the development of safety awareness and culture among Oxfam personnel and partners.

• Provide for timely and efficient dissemination of important safety information to program staff, including via regular information updates, safety briefings and inductions.

•   Improve all staff safety skills, including via delivering pertinent training.

•   Identify long-term and immediate requirements for staff training on safety matters and support their implementation.

• Ensure that all newcomers and visitors receive safety induction.

     4. Network & Access

• Establish and maintain contact with various actors (local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, security forces, etc...).

•  Work with Field/Camp Coordinators and program teams at field level to build network and acceptance in local communities where Oxfam operates.

• Advise the leadership on the possibilities of access to the different woredas and zones.

•  Develop ongoing relationships with community leaders and other power brokers within the Oxfam operational areas.

• Work to ensure that Oxfam, its mission, and work within the Oxfam operational areas are known and accepted.

• Strive to encourage stakeholders to work with the Oxfam in ensuring that staff and programs are safe, secured and allowed to continue humanitarian activities.

• SSSO is required to be ethical and responsible in dealing with various actors for Oxfam business/operations.

5. Planning and Documentation

• Organize and produce risk analyses (SRA) in a participatory and regular manner as needed.

• Participate in the development of Security Management Plans (SMP) including appropriate procedures and contingency plans.

•  Ensure that all documents are up to date and operational.

•  Evaluate and maintain contingency plans adapted to the local context, in operation area, in particular for evacuation, hibernation and travel specific for Gambella Program Office.

6. Information and Analysis

• Closely monitor developing situations, Identify, and report all the security information, updates and events, especially those that could have an impact on Oxfam operations.

• Work closely with all staff to ensure that safety and security incidents are reported in accordance with Oxfam standards.

• Provide and share daily situation report (DSR), required to comply with standard format and preparation of DSR, and provide weekly security updates.

7. Compound/Building Safety

• Ensure the monitoring and replacement of safety equipment in Oxfam buildings (fire extinguishers, etc.).

•  Ensure the renewal of emergency stocks in Oxfam offices and guest houses, assess the physical working environment of offices and guesthouses are not vulnerable.

•  Ensure that each Oxfam office and guest house has an evacuation plan in case of fire.

•  Conduct regular security & safety assessments of offices, satellite offices, camps, warehouse to identify any vulnerabilities and give appropriate recommendations.

• Ensure having security guards in all Oxfam facilities with supervision and planning

Job Requirements

Person specification

Most importantly, every individual at Oxfam GB needs to be able to:

Live our values of INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPOWERMENT, SOLIDARITY, COURAGE, AND EQUALITY

Our Values

• Equality: We believe everyone has the right to be treated fairly and to have the same rights and opportunities.

• Empowerment: We acknowledge and seek to expand people’s agency over their lives and the decisions that impact them.

• Solidarity: We join hands, support, and collaborate across boundaries in working towards a just and sustainable world.

• Inclusiveness: We embrace diversity and difference and value the perspectives and contributions of all people and communities in their fight against poverty and injustice.

• Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and inaction and hold ourselves accountable to the people we work with and for.

• Courage: We speak truth to power and act with conviction on the justice of our causes.

Ensure you commit to our THREE ORGANISATIONAL ATTRIBUTES:1. Be committed to equal opportunities: demonstrating sensitivity to cultural differences and gender equality.2. Be willing to learn and apply gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity and inclusion across all aspects of your work. 3. Be committed to undertaking Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure all people who come into Oxfam are as safe as possible.Ensure you actively ADOPT OXFAM’S FEMINIST LEADERSHIP APPROACH and applying the principles and twelve practices in your work. Read more about this here:For this role, we have selected two of the most relevant feminist Leadership practices for this role (which you can read more about here.1 Self-Awareness2 Mutual accountability3 Strategic Thinking and Judgment

SKILS, Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

Essential:

•   BA Degree in Political science and International Relations or political science / peace building and Conflict Resolution, Law from recognized College/University, or related qualification which can added value to the post

•  Proven expertise in Ethiopia safety context along with good understanding of Gambella Region safety environment and dynamics.

•   At least five years of practical experience in safety risk management in hostile and/or challenging environments.

•   Good influencing, communication, interpersonal, and negotiating skills with internal and external audiences including in complex and stressful environments.

•  Established experience of training, including field-based training.

•  Ability to work under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.

• Capacity to be on standby 24/7 and ready to travel at a short notice.

• Good knowledge of English and Amharic languages.

Desirable

• Must be speaking, reading local languages

•   At least two years of practical experience in safety risk management in the context of UN or NGO humanitarian operations.

• Knowledge of other than mentioned above spoken languages and/or dialects in Ethiopia

How to Apply

As part of your online application, please upload your up-to-date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile  through: and using Oxfam's internal /External application portal: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/ or https://https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/vacancy/19448/description  on or before June 16, 2023.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.