Internal/External Vacancy

About CVT:

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trauma rehabilitative services to survivors of gross human rights abuses, including torture, and works toward a future in which gross human rights violations cease to exist and victims have hope for a new life. We are headquartered in Minnesota, USA with offices in Africa and the Middle East. We work locally, nationally, and internationally through programs that provide trauma rehabilitative services, conduct technical assistance and capacity building to human rights activists, civil society organizations, and local service providers around the world who can prevent and treat gross human rights abuses, and advocate for human rights and an end to gross human rights violations.

General Description of Role

The Risk and Safety Specialist (RSS), based in Debark, Ethiopia, will report directly to the Zonal Manager (ZM). The RSS will play a key role in the planning and implementation of all security policies and practices for CVT locations in the Amhara region. The responsibilities encompass a range of issues, including, but not limited to, the physical safety, security, and well-being of CVT Ethiopia Amhara staff, clients, contracted workers, and visitors, as well as the safeguarding of psychical, financial, intellectual, and reputational assets under CVT’s control. This position will play a key role in the CVT security management team and advise the team regarding physical security threats and risks and the mitigation options to ensure the appropriate level of protection.

 Job Responsibilities

Risk Assessment and Mitigation (30%)

• Conduct risk assessments in operational sites by liaising regularly with available sources of risk management information, including participation in regular health, safety and security activities and briefings within the (I)NGO, diplomatic and UN communities as well as communicating with local administration and security sector to continuously update and modify existing policies and procedures appropriately.

• Monitor the political, economic, environmental and social context of the area of operation as well as at the regional, country level and communicate accordingly 

• Identify significant security risks, designs and implements strategies and programs to prevent and reduce risks and increase safety of clients and staff.

• Identify resources for mitigating risks or responding to incidences in the operational areas and keep track of and/or share with the teams these resources.

• Provide oversight and ensure compliance with security strategies, policies, procedures, standards and practices that mitigate risks.

• Contribute to the revision, modification, and/or designing, as necessary, of strategies, policies, procedures, standards, training and practices that mitigate risks, respond to incidents, and limit the organization’s exposure to risk of unauthorized disclosure, misuse, theft, vandalism, and damages of the information and physical assets under CVT’s control; financial and reputational losses; and/or injuries, illness, or death of staff members and clients.

• Determine and advise on the appropriate level of protection for clients, staff, physical assets, intellectual property and information assets throughout in Amhara region, while ensuring optimal use of personnel, technology and equipment.  Recommend procurement of additional equipment as appropriate.

• Conduct risk assessments in new areas of operation or after security incidents or risk levels change.

• Risk Management Coordination: (20%)

• Act as the security focal person (SFP) in Amhara region, ensuring local team members understand protocols and policies related to health, safety and security.

• Advise the Zonal Manager in identifying, developing, implementing and maintaining security processes across program sites.

• Arrange regular testing for safety and security devices in all the operations sites (e.g. fire extinguishers, first aid kits, fire drills); report immediately any malfunctioning equipment, locks, or doors; maintain log of completed, pending, and future checks.

• Manage and ensure the security and safety of staff, premises, materials, and assets in all CVT locations in with comprehensive security management systems and procedures.

Security Communication Management: (25%)

• Act as the focal point for all safety and security-related systems, including phone-tree incident notifications and satellite phone oversight.

• Serve as a focal person for convoy and verify security status and make Go/No-Go determination in communicating the decisions with Zonal Manager and all relevant staff members and partner agencies. 

• Liaise with partner organizations to facilitate radio communication as needed.

• Update the Risk and Safety Manager on local developments.

• Provide all new and traveling staff in location with comprehensive health, safety and security briefing in collaboration with local resources and partners.  Support Risk and Safety Manager in updating Area Briefings.

• Train program staff, security guards and drivers on safety and security topics.

• Communicate with and manage relationship with security service providers in Dabat, Debark and Sekota

• Support, advise, and guide logistics staff in monitoring the work of security guards in field offices and in camps.

Incident Response: (15%)

• Respond to incidents, and limit the organization’s exposure to risk of unauthorized disclosure, misuse, theft, vandalism, and damages of the information and physical assets under CVT’s control; financial and reputational losses; and/or injuries, illness, or death of staff members and clients. Advise and liaise with the ZM to respond to incidents.

• Prepare and submit security incident reports in Amhara for ZM.

• Assist the staff in ensuring internal incident reporting systems are understood, utilized, and responsive to ongoing developments while recommending any necessary improvements.

• Oversee and/or conducts investigations of security incidences as needed, liaising with local law enforcement authorities as appropriate and updating the ZM on any outcome.

• Keep track of all incident reports, regularly analyze any trend, and submit monthly Risk Management report to the Risk and Safety Manager.

Other Duties: (10%)

• Participate in other program and organization-wide activities, meetings and trainings. Complete assigned responsibilities.

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Supervisor:   Zonal Manager for Amhara (administrative); Risk and Safety Manager (technical)                                          

Location:     CVT Healing Center in Dabat, Amhara, Ethiopia/Alemwach Refugee Site. Travel to additional CVT field centers as necessary

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in security, risk management, development, business, logistics, or a related field is required.

• At least five (5) years of experience working in a security, risk management, coordination, logistics, facility management, or operational capacity in different locations in Ethiopia is required; experience in a humanitarian setting is strongly preferred.

• Formal risk management and security training required. 2 years of professional experience in security and risk management position can be substitute for formal training.

• The ability to train other staff in risk management and security strongly preferred.

• At least two (2) years of experience working with an international organization is required, ideally with regular interaction with expatriate staff.

• Must be detail- and result-oriented, a self-starter, flexible, adaptable, analytical, approachable, ethical, impartial, and an excellent team player with excellent organizational skills and commitment to humanitarian work.

• Effective verbal, written, presentation, and listening communications skills including report writing. Can multi-task effectively, with ability to meet strict deadlines.

• Written and spoken fluency in English and Amharic is required. Proficiency Tigregna and Agowgna is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing security measures.

• Demonstrated experience sensitively building trust with local communities and partners.

• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment, with the ability to synthesize diverse and complex information from a wide range of sources, and to develop clear and actionable recommendations based on that information.

• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements, client or staff needs and security climate.

• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve creatively and mitigate risks effectively to support successful project implementation.

• Political, culture and gender awareness in the context of Ethiopia.  Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism while interacting with many internal and external actors from various cultural, political, linguistic communities.

• First aid certification is preferred.

General conditions

• Maintain neutrality regarding any sensitive issues such as religion, ethnicity, disability, minority or

• political affiliation 

• Strong commitment to serve beneficiaries of CVT’s project regardless their religion, gender, minority affiliation or ethnic/political background

• Is strictly committed to respect CVT’s confidentiality policy and refrain from using any information that s/he will know about a client outside of CVT

• Will not approach (potential) beneficiaries for their involvement in non-CVT activities without prior approval of CVT supervisor.

• Keep absolute confidentiality on all information managed. Obligated to report any information to the supervisor when the security of CVT staff and/or of CVT beneficiary might become an issue.

• This job profile can be adapted and changed according to the evolution of CVT activities.

• Regular work week is Monday through Friday

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Required:

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).

• Excellent Oral and written communication skills in English and Amharic.

• Understanding of and experience implementing culturally appropriate mental health interventions, including individual, group and community-based approaches for people who have suffered torture and war trauma.

• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to work in challenging areas, changing conditions, procedures and/or policies, client needs, program needs, and required tasks.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.

• Strong leadership, analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills including effective time management and work load organization.

• Commitment to the ethical and sensitive implementation of project activities, including a commitment to confidentiality, diversity, equity, and inclusion, quality service provision, and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (including online).

• Ability to consistently promote and represent a humanitarian and human rights understanding of their work internally and externally, including promoting acceptance of differences and non-discrimination.

• Commitment to and role modeling of human rights approach including: maintaining respect regarding any sensitive issues such as religion, minority or political affiliation and treating colleagues equally regardless of differences. Strong commitment to serve beneficiaries of CVT’s project regardless their religion, gender, disability, minority affiliation or political background.

• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s interdisciplinary approach in trauma rehabilitation service delivery.

Preferred:

• Experience working with MHPSS programs and/or trauma-informed service delivery.

• Experience working in Amhara Region

Work Environment:

• Under normal conditions, work will be completed in an office environment with frequent off-site visits to information sources and operational areas

• Remote working from home when necessary due to security/public health conditions or other reasons

• Time spent on the computer is approximately 40%

• Regular work week is Monday through Friday, thought monitoring of security situation 24/7 is the nature of the position

Terms of employment: The contract is effective from December 10, 2023 through July 31, 2024 (60 business days of probationary period) with a possibility of continuation depending on funding availability and performance.

How to Apply

Please write an English letter of application stating clearly, what motivates you to apply for the above position and how your qualifications and experience are relevant to the post. Include a copy of your CV, application letter, and the names and contact information of three references. Do not bring original documents, as these will not be returned to you. Submitting false information will result in your application being disqualified. 

Please submit applications with the subject title “Risk and Safety Specialist (RSS) Position Application [Your Name]”: 

Dabat and Sekota Office: please apply in CVT Dabat and Sekota Offices

Ethio-Jobs: Please e-mail applications to cvtethr@cvt.org and mtesfahun@cvt.org E-mails with attachments should not exceed a total of 1MB.  

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written exam and interview. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.  

Closing date for applications: November 19, 2023 before 5:00pm

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

CVT has a zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, always (both during work hours and outside work hours).