Regional Safety & Security Advisor

Position title: Regional Safety & Security Advisor

Working location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Nairobi, Kenya

Direct Supervisor: International Director, Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAF)

Region: ESAF

Context of the Organization

Established in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI) is a dynamic, international social development and humanitarian organization working globally to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children without parental care and those who are at the risk of losing it.

The Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) region of SOS CVI is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It also has a branch office in Nairobi. It has member associations (MAs) in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia/Somaliland, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Angola, and Madagascar.

We are searching for a vibrant, thorough, and energetic leader experienced in safety and security risk management within the ESAF Region to join our organization as a Regional Safety & Security Advisor.

By joining us, you will enjoy competitive remuneration, work with a diverse and motivated team, and enjoy a conducive work environment. You will have extensive travel in the region and beyond as you work with a global team to drive safety and security strategy and culture into the region.  You will also provide effective technical leadership in the resolution of crises and incidents impacting the region. You will also play a crucial role in integrating the safety and security agenda into MAs across the region. 

Job Summary

The Regional Safety and Security Adviser – ESAF will drive safety and security strategies, technologies, policies and protocols within the region. You will develop a regional execution plan by setting priorities, aligning budgets, and implementing the global security strategy.  You will work with the Regional Management Team, MAs and National Associations (NAs), and the Global Safety and Security team. You will collaborate with external security bodies including UNDSS and security focal persons within peer organizations.  You will support the development of security analysis of countries in the region.

You will ensure a consistent and effective flow of safety and security protocols and management of travel and other activities, keeping relevant teams up-to-date on all developments both internally and externally.

Main Clients

• IDR and Deputy IDR
• Global Head of Safety and Security
• ESAF RMT members
• SOS Children’s Villages International Representatives
• National Directors (NDs)
• National safety and security responsible staff
• Visitors from the International Office, Promoting and Supporting Association (PSA) staff, donors, sponsors, partners, etc.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities

Lead People

• Build a professional culture of candor and integrity that inspires trust and confidence among your many stakeholders.
• Provide matrix leadership and develop a network of national security managers and security focal points to the program level across the ESAF region.
• Drive SOS security capacity across the organization through transparent communication and effective stakeholder management.
• Serve as ultimate accountable for the delivery of security strategies.
• Ensure adequate communication on security issues across the program locations.
• Provide advice and respond to training needs to develop staff safety and security competencies.

Protect the Organization

• Update and implement security strategies across all national organizations.
• Investigate security incidents.
• Lead the development and review of security plans and procedures including contingency and crisis response plans, severe incidents, and standard operating procedures.
• Undertake regular security assessment missions to all program locations across the ESAF Region.
• Monitor the reporting and data gathering of security incidents and generate analysis/reports on security trends.
• Provide technical leadership in crisis and incident management.
• Manage your budget

Manage Empowering Relationships

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key external stakeholders in the ESAF Region.
• Live the humanitarian values (neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity) in interactions with external stakeholders

Build the Security Culture, Develop and Innovate

• Lead the development of security culture in all ESAF organizations such that all staff and alternative care participants understand safety and security, know their role, and support the execution of the agenda.
• Ensure professional development and continuous awareness of developments in the security profession.
• Import and export the best ideas.  Seek to apply learning and other innovation to the safety and security program.

Knowledge, skills, qualifications, abilities, and behavioral competences

• Experience working effectively in matrixed, multifunctional team to deliver successful safety and security outcomes.
• High integrity with a personal commitment to open, candid communication.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a relevant discipline.
• In-depth knowledge in Security, International Development, or related fields.
• In-depth understanding of international safety and security protocols and procedures.
• Deep and clear understanding of humanitarian principles, codes of conduct and ideally, specific sub-sector work: protection, health, shelter, linked to INGO field operations contexts.
• Good understanding and experience in neutrality in local conflicts and conflicting parties – interaction with all parties and maintaining a position of (humanitarian) neutrality is a necessity of the role.
• Demonstrable knowledge and practical work experience, preferably with a non-profit or an NGO within international humanitarian assistance or social development programs, with proven capabilities in planning, organizing, and executing security operations in the field.
• In-depth knowledge or work experience in post-conflict and/or complex emergency environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in fast-paced team environments.
• Excellent negotiation skills (with senior level management and/or governmental authorities).
• Good training skills – the ability to develop, implement, facilitate and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
• Demonstrable practical experience in security management, training or analysis and report writing role in a relevant organizational setting.
• Advanced level knowledge of communications technology, including VHF, HF radio systems, satellite communications, cell phone mediums, etc.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience within ESAF region
• Ability to travel as required and in difficult situations.

What we offer

The opportunity to work in one of the largest International Non-Profit Organization’s in Social development, Humanitarian action Child and Youth Care, in a position with a varied scope of tasks and responsibilities directly impacting on the development of the organisation in achieving its strategic goals.

To contribute to our meaningful mission: “We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures and we share in the development of their communities.

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above position, please send us a cover letter, your detailed curriculum vitae (CV) -including at least three traceable referees- and photocopies of academic certificates as ONE document.

Applications should be submitted electronically through ICIMS. Applications open on 3^rd May 2024 and will close on 17^th May 2024.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Applications that do not have a cover letter, CV and certificates attached will be disqualified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“SOS Children’s Villages International holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes.”