Safety & Security Manager

The Opportunity – Safety and Security Manager (For Nationals based in Gaza)

Post location: Field Office in Gaza

Contract Duration and Level of Effort: 12 months with possibility for extension

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Safety and Security Manager for Gaza will report to the with a technical reporting line to the oPt Senior Safety & Security Manager to conduct safety and security assessments, make recommendations, and support their implementation of the country’s programmes. The Safety and Security Manager will facilitate the implementation of Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards within country programmes, help drive systemic change in safety and security management quality and contribute to building compliance with safety and security Minimum Standards. He/she will also take forward the organisational security ethos. The post holder will play a vital role in developing a robust safety culture for SCI in Gaza and have a lead role in the INGO Gaza Security Management Team.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Gaza Field Manager

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1. Engage country programme management and staff, as well as staff at all levels, to facilitate the adoption and compliance with Save the Children’s Safety and Security Policy and Standards.
2. Provide safety security management advice, guidance and support to the Gaza field manager and the Emergency Teams.
3. Undertake Security Risk Assessments for the Gaze program footprint and humanitarian operations.
4. Assess and evaluate country/programme security guidelines and recommend improvements using the Standards in the Save the Children Policy and Standards for security management plans, evacuation contingency plans and standard operating procedures.
5. Develop and deliver staff capacity building in safety and security training.
6. Promote the concept that the whole team should jointly develop safety and security plans and guidelines to create ownership and encourage compliance.
7. Promote that safety and security are integral elements of programme design and operations and should be among the first planning considerations.
8. Promote the need for each CO programme to appoint a safety and security focal point (SSFP) and advise on the minimum training standards for each focal point, depending on the country’s level of insecurity. The manager will play a key role in building the capacity of each SFP consistent with the assessed need for each programme.
9. Promote the need for each CO programme to have safety and security as a standing agenda item on the SMT and to form a core Crisis Management Team.

Strategic Information Gathering:

1. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for gathering real-time and actionable intelligence on security threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents in Gaza’s high-risk environment.
2. Utilise advanced networking and information technology tools to monitor and analyse open-source intelligence, social media, and other relevant platforms for emerging security risks and trends.

Close Collaboration with Humanitarian Organisations:

1. Foster and maintain close collaboration with other humanitarian organisations operating in the region to share security-related information and intelligence.
2. Establish and lead regular meetings, joint training sessions, and information-sharing forums with security counterparts from partner organisations to enhance collective situational awareness.

Incident Response and Crisis Management:

1. Develop and regularly update an incident response plan tailored to Gaza’s high-risk environment’s unique challenges.
2. Serve as a vital member of the Gaza incident management team, contributing expertise to support the CO Incident Management Team and advising them of possible actions or options in a crisis or emergency.
3. Immediately advise the Field Manager, SSSM, and, when necessary, the Regional Security Director of events that could affect staff safety, security, or damage assets.
4. Coordinate information through the relevant reporting lines during serious security incidents.
5. Provide FM and SSSM with updated reports on the security situation and the steps being taken to mitigate against threats.
6. Assist with emergency evacuations in coordination with the SSSM and RSD.
7. Investigate and follow up on safety and security incidents.
8. Report security incidents promptly following SCI protocols and using the online reporting system.

Leadership within the INGO Gaza Security Management Team:

1. Act as a lead contributor within the INGO Gaza Security Management Team, providing specialised insights and recommendations for developing a collaborative INGO/PNGO community.
2. Collaborate with other security managers to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to overall security management within the humanitarian community operating in Gaza.

Planning and Preparation:

1. Responsibility for ensuring compliance with and alignment with SCI Key Performance Indicators.
2. Responsible for preparing, managing, and reporting on the SCI Security Budget for Gaza.
3. Collaboratively review existing CO safety and security policies and procedures and assess levels of functionality in Gaza, identifying opportunities for modifications to improve functionality related to (but not limited to) incident monitoring and communications (field-office level), staff movements (around Gaza), security risk assessments, etc.
4. Assist the CO Leadership team in preparing for major events and critical security incidents.
5. Prepare and update CO safety and security management plans and support the development of the field safety and security plans, ensuring that the field plans align with the CO and supporting country office plans.
6. Oversee field-office-level emergency plans.
7. Conduct security awareness training following SCI policies and procedures.
8. Participate in selecting security focal points and ensure adequate training is provided.
9. Oversee the regular assessment of the SCI and international staff premises locations and advise on any possible security measures or location changes.
10. Establish a system for maintaining a consolidated residence map, a response plan for assistance, and an emergency alert and response plan.
11. In collaboration with Field Managers, Field Program teams, update and record background documentation and analysis for updated context assessments. Obtain actor mapping with details and background of each actor. Create and maintain an Operations map.
12. Collaborate with other functions to develop scenario planning for security and safety risk management, including triggers for hibernation, relocation, and evacuation of international “staff under threat” in high-risk situations.

Procedures and Protocols:

1. Develop, implement, and maintain SCI International Safety and Security Protocols, including the emergency medical and evacuation protocols and coordinate with supporting Country Offices as necessary.
2. Network with other security officers and organisations to obtain information that can be analysed to understand the security environment better and develop standard operating procedures relevant to the security setting in which programs are being implemented.
3. Communications: Ensure effective communications, including the communication tree system, mobile phones, Satellite Phone networks etc.
4. Transportation: update a written transportation and movement protocol to institutionalise the procedures.
5. Develop and maintain a map with go / No-go areas in collaboration with field senior management teams. Monitor and ensure staff adherence to the set safety and security measures.

Capacity-building and gap-filling:

1. Lead training programs for staff members on secure networking practices, information security protocols, and awareness of potential cyber threats.
2. Collaborate with the organisation’s training department to integrate security awareness into broader capacity-building initiatives for staff working in high-risk environments.
3. A vital responsibility of the Safety and Security Manager is supporting the Field Office teams in building capacity and being a deployable resource during exceptional circumstances. Responsibilities include:

• Identify gaps within the Field Offices’ security management and planning and help resource improvements.
• Source external training options for the Field Office program and safety and security teams.
• Support the Safety and Security Officers to mentor new and junior staff to aid recruitment and professional development.
• Serve as a coordinator for Safety and Security Officers to develop contingency plans for critical incidents, sharing best practices and ensuring consistency.

General:

1. Comply with Save the Children policies and practices concerning child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Formal qualification in Security and Risk management or similar field

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Security management ideally in a humanitarian or development context.
• Expertise in current safety and security practices and issues affecting aid work globally.
• Previous experience as an INGO Security Manager
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, establish information and security networks, and coordinate with, donors, International Organisations, and local NGOs.
• Experience of working in hostile environments. Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously in a highly stressful and challenging environment.
• Proven ability to undertake Security Risk assessments.
• Proven experience in training multi-national staff.
• Ability to formulate and communicate analysis of a changing security environment.
• Proven skills in concise report writing. Ability to prioritise security-related tasks and complete reports to deadlines.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Proven knowledge of MS Office applications, IT literacy, and the capacity to learn and use other packages.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin all aspects of the job—commitment to Save the Children child protection policy.

Desirable

• Operational experience in post war/disaster affected environments with NGO or police background.

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector**. This role is offered on the basis of** national terms and conditions. Application will be reviewed and selected on a rolling basis.

Save the Children promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, women and people with different abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Organisation

Save the Children works in development and humanitarian contexts with children and partners to help families, communities, and governments identify and use innovations to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected.

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
  • All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
  • Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.