Position Title: Africa Safety and Security Advisor
Position Summary:
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is looking for a seasoned security professional for the role of Africa Safety and Security Advisor (RSSD) The ASSA will direct the development, implementation and monitoring of an effective strategy to identify, analyze and mitigate safety and security risks, enable access, maintain continuity of operations and programs, manage incidents and provide for the safety and security of all HFHI employees and assets. The ASSA acts as an advisor to the Area Vice President (AVP), including comprehensive gender inclusive security risk analysis and recommendations related to strategic, operational, programmatic, partnership, and cross-cutting risks. The ASSA ensures adequate protocols and mechanisms are in place to address country programs’ unique risks and challenges. They provide direction and technical support in developing and maintaining country programs’ security management in line with HFHI’s Global Safety and Security policy, framework, processes, and protocols. The ASSA participate in the development of Safety and Security (S&S) procedures and practices which integrate with gender, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI).
Reporting to the AVP, the ASSA is a member of HFHI's area senior management team and of the global safety and security team. Key relationships include: Area Vice President, Global Safety and Security Director, Director of Investigations, Director of Safeguarding, Area Legal Advisor, Area Program Directors, Area HR Director, Branch & National Office Directors; Deputy Directors; Country Security Leads, Counterparts in other regions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Programming:
- Serve as the organization’s Security Focal Point for Africa, providing security policy guidance and security management support to the HFH entities in the regions, enabling effective program planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of all HFHI security policies and procedures;
- Ensure the mainstreaming of security into all levels of program design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects and program, providing innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions where required;
- Review the impact of current, as well as future potential security factors and trends on HFHI planning, program design and delivery, as well as the possible impact that program design might have on the safety and security, ensuring that possible support measures are identified, and improvements are implemented;
- To protect and minimize the risk to HFHI staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling Habitat for Humanity program delivery throughout;
- Maintain a security network with colleagues with the aim of ensuring coordination and collaboration of the actors of the NGO Security and Private Sector security networks within the Africa region.
Funds Management
- Formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget, initiates budget revisions;
- Ensure that costs and expenditures remain within budgeted and approved limits through quarterly monitoring;
- Ensure mainstreaming of costs related to implementation of security measures into programs/projects.
Threat and Risk Assessment:
- Lead departmental security risk identification and mitigation measures that align with organizational and regional security risk-management standards and requirements;
- Assist Branches and National Organizations in implementing and maintaining security risk management across the region ensuring security risks are identified, mitigated and managed;
- Inform the development Safety and Security (S&S) procedures and practices which integrate with gender and Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) support associated roll out and adherence;
- Provide input, including comprehensive security risk analyses and recommendations, to the AVP and the Regional colleagues;
- Inform AVP and Global Safety and Security Director of any areas of concern, non-adherence to HFHI policy and procedures;
- Ensure safety and security risk management processes and best practices are inclusive of gender and LGBTQ+ specific risks and gender equality and diversity is embedded into such processes;
- Ensure that HFH partners receive security management support benefiting from internal systems and best practices relevant to their operations and operating contexts;
- Prepare the Regional Daily Situation Report
Security Management Planning and Compliance:
Remotely and through a minimum of one visit per country per year, monitor and support adherence to Policy, principles, standards and requirements. Provide a follow-up report with clear findings and actionable recommendations after each visit. Monitor progress and report concerns to regional and global Security leadership;
- Ensure Country security focal points are preparing and sharing accurate safety and security reporting, ensure data consistency and report into global dashboards;
- Prepare twice yearly regional snapshot of safety and security management;
- Support HFH entities within region with safety and security yearly assessment of standard and requirements, definition and monitoring of improvement plans, and progress follow-up;
Minimum Required:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or Equivalent), preferably in social sciences, international politics, management, or a related security field, or formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police Senior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full time) qualification, with command experience.
- Formal training in security risk management.
Experience:
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A minimum of 10 years of relevant security and development related experience. Formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police senior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full time) qualification, with command experience at senior level, is considered equivalent to an Advanced University Degree.
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Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.
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Practical experience from work in, and knowledge of, the security environment in Africa
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In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management.
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Knowledge of INGO business, operations and programming cycle.
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English and French language skills is required for this position
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Active support of HFHI Values:
- Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
- Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
- Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.