Global Security Policy Consultancy

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

Working practice in Oxfam demands a regular review of all major policy documents. Given the fact the current Global Security Policy was first developed in 2014 and revised and approved in 2018, the Global Security Team (GST) is embarking on a process of review and update. In essence, the GST is seeking to bring the existing Policy up to date within the changing structure and approach of the Oxfam Confederation, focusing on a people centred, decolonial and feminist approach to provide a framework enabling risk management rather than risk avoidance for all operations, advocacy, influencing and programming.

The developing Oxfam Confederation (Confederation development) as a diversified, independent network currently stands at 21 members, with five more prospective affiliates, within an ever-changing threat environment, which in turn demands a root and branch review of the way the Confederation looks at security risk management. With the Global Security Policy at the heart of this, approval was given to apply the policy Confederation-wide. Further consideration of a more integrated approach to risk management will also take into account the full scope of our humanitarian and development work within the framework of civic space (civic-space-strategizing-2023).

The Global Security Policy will reflect and be informed by Oxfam values, incorporating Decolonial Feminist Approaches at its core.

The overarching aim of the Global Security Policy to provide the framework, tools and mechanisms to identify and manage risks rather than avoid them.

RATIONALE

The Policy will look at how best to support security risk management across the full scope of work we do and take into account the different risks faced by people from diverse backgrounds.

An awareness of varied risk environments and specific risks to particular groups is essential, and the review process will include engagement with northern and southern affiliates, countries, clusters and regions as well as different departments and groups such as LGBTQIA+ and staff networking groups. In addition, we will seek to underline our commitment to working with partners across the full range of Oxfam’s work.

To summarize, the reviewed Global Security Policy aims to:

1. be a confederation-wide policy that works for a diversified network and fulfils duty of care to our staff;
2. be closely aligned with and informed by affiliates, especially southern affiliates, to support their security risk management and duty of care to staff and partners;
3. make sure there is a thorough understanding of foreseeable risks and to promote a culture of security and risk management rather than risk avoidance;
4. be aligned to Oxfam’s values and commitment to decolonial partnerships and feminist principles, with our GSF commitments and Horizon 2 Roadmap (Embracing Feminist Decolonial approaches in everything we do (Horizon 2));
5. be person centred and take into account risks that affect a diverse workforce at the heart of Oxfam and its partners;
6. contribute to a long-term strategy for working with and in support of partners;
7. reaffirm our commitment to security risk management in support of our advocacy, campaigning and engagement work;
8. identify, and incorporate as appropriate, best practices for security risk management within and without the NGO sectors and such as GISF, GPR8, Interaction, peer organizations with a focus on advocacy and campaigning organizations;
9. lead to a framework and tools that are flexible and adaptable to needs and context, for use by affiliates, countries, clusters and regions.

PROFILE OF CONSULTANT

Ideally has a working knowledge of the Oxfam Confederation model and internal management structures.

Understanding and in agreement with decolonial and feminist principles and the one programme approach being implemented across our Global Programmes and Advocacy, Campaigns and Influencing teams.

Does not necessarily need an in-depth knowledge of security risk management but must have a working knowledge of the language of security risk management.

Experience in coordinating across a large and diversifies groups.

Agree to accept and sign Oxfam Code of Conduct and sanctions screening.

CONSULTANY OBJECTIVES

• To provide the Confederation with a core policy document putting people at the centre of risk management, comprising guiding principles and responsibilities within governing frameworks.
• Review and articulate Oxfam organisational approach to risk with a focus on risk management rather than risk avoidance.
• To have a policy that fits the Confederation model and multi-dimensional programming including our work with and through partnerships.
• To inform development of a renewed security framework and structure that best supports the Confederation.

To align with on-going work on the Integrated Approach to Risk as far as possible (still in development)

To draft a socialization/communication/outreach plan to share the updated Global Security Policy to sensitize Oxfam staff to an integrated approach to risk management

Scope of Work

Tasks:

• Development of guiding questionnaire feedback mechanism for working groups and develop a calendar.
• Develop in coordination with Global Security Team methodology to have truly inclusive dialogue that allows for review of the following (but on exclusively)
  • What do we see at our risk tolerance
  • How much is personal responsibility and how much input and involvement should staff have in developing security risk management within country programmes and affiliate countries.
• Work with Global and Regional security team in identification and coordination of key stakeholders and working groups
• Coordinate with all Northern and Southern Affiliates and identify key stakeholders within these Affiliates
• Work with key stakeholders that can inform on the person-centred perspective and intersectional lens, including youths, activists, LGBTQIA+ members of the staff
• Coordinate with Regional Security Advisors in working with country, cluster and regional offices in set up and working groups
• Coordinate with key departments within Oxfam International and Executing Affiliates i.e. Oxfam GB, Oxfam Intermon and Oxfam NOVIB.
• Input to the Global Security Policy update with feedback and finding from working groups and report to the main core planning group

Deliverables: Detail the expected deliverables for each task.

• ToR/Scope for working groups and guiding questionnaires
• Calendar and work plan
• Identification of stakeholders and coordination groups in countries, clusters and regions
• Identification of stakeholders for Southern Affiliates in coordination with Global Head of Security.
• Identification of stakeholders in OI and Executing Affiliate departments.
• Regional security teams to have the tools to work with regional stakeholders and working groups
• Summary of findings from focus/working groups
• Draft of the reviewed security policy

LINKS TO OTHER DOCUMENTS

For ease of planning for the discussions, here is a list of pre-reading links that are highly recommended.

https://www.oxfam.org.uk/documents/774/Oxfam-GB-Decolonial-Partnerships-Strategy.pdf

Civic Space- Sensitive Security & Risk Management

GISF State of Practice-The-evolution-of-SRM in the humanitarian space

Global Humanitarian Overview-2024

OCHA localisation-vision-strategy-humanitarian-country-team-South Sudan

GISF Working with partners in SRM