Job Title: Safety and Security Coordinator

Country Program: Sudan

Location: Khartoum, with frequent travel to field

Reports to: Country Director

Start date: ASAP

Country/ Program

The Alight Sudan Program started in 2004 in response to the emergency needs of some 600,000-war affected IDPs and host populations in the Tulus and Gereida corridors in South Darfur. In 2014, Alight expanded services into underserved villages in the East Darfur, and more recently in Kassala state, East of Sudan. The overall aim of the program is to improve the well-being of the target populations by addressing their immediate humanitarian needs and contributing to long-term community stabilization.

Background:

The deteriorating security situation in Sudan necessitates the need of a robust and well functional safety and security department. The incumbent is expected to take the leading role in forming the country safety and security policies, best practices and promote the culture of consciousness, awareness and accountability for staff and properties’ safety and security.

Scope of Work:

• The Safety & Security Coordinator (S&S Coordinator), under the direct supervision of the Country Director (CD), supports the Alight Country Program in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks to facilitate safe access for humanitarian programming in different States and to ensure Alight operates within acceptable S&S risk levels.
• To do this, the role will work with the existing security and operations staff to ensure that Alight staff deployed to the field are supported and oriented on the existing protocols.
• The S&S Coordinator is based in Khartoum and will spend 50% of time supporting and visiting areas of operations and field offices in East Sudan (Kassala and Gadaref), West Kordofan and Darfur States and any other location(s) where Alight might expand operations.
• The role will further entail advising Field Security Management Teams/ Program Managers/ Security Focal Persons on various security matters; contribute in implementing the country security policies and facilitate the rollout of security standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regular reporting on compliance.
• The S&S Coordinator will liaise with the Country and Field Management Teams to organize regular security and refresher training to enable Alight staff have a constant understanding of the context and existing security plans.
• The S&S Coordinator will ensure timely reporting of security incidences and dissemination of security information to all staff.

Major Responsibilities

Safety and security risk management:

• Lead the development and review of Alight country and field offices security plans, contingency plans, and security SOPs.
• Lead in conducting security risk assessments (SRAs) of Alight program locations to monitor the contextual trends prior to and continuously after deployment of staff
• Collate, analyze, and disseminate security information as approved or advised by the Supervisor to Alight staff and ensuring the information remains accurate and neutral.
• Work closely with Alight State Program Managers (SPMs) to ensure that Safety and Security Standards, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) in all offices are maintained and implemented in line with Alight global security policy.
• Conduct regular checks on Alight premises, provide recommendations for improvement, follow up on their implementation, and report any areas of improvement to Supervisor or State Program Management for immediate action.
• Enforce Alight Security SOPs within the area of jurisdiction and advice program staff accordingly. Constantly and immediately notify the Supervisor or State Program Management of any breach to the procedures in the SOPs
• Work with the Logistics Department to ensure that staff movement within the country/states are appropriately guided, tracked and supported.
• Guide field teams on how to undertake security risk assessments during field missions to existing programme areas and potential areas of expansion, report findings and design necessary adjustments.
• Monitor events, review incidents and coordinate analysis, follow-up actions and recommendations

Security Awareness, Briefings, and Inductions

• Conduct regular visits to the field offices and conduct security awareness sessions to embolden staff understanding of Alight security management and deal with the dynamic threats within their areas of operations including contingency planning.
• Ensure all incoming visitors and staff on mission are appropriately briefed on safety and security and its acknowledgments are documented.
• Ensure the induction of newly onboarded staff on safety and security and their roles in it.
• Generate regular and on-request security update including situational analysis, actions taken, and actions recommended to the State Program managers.
• Provide weekly and or monthly security reports with trends analysis to the SMT and Global Security team.
• Work closely with Supervisor and SPMs to ensure that Security Focal Group (SFG) meetings are held, and minutes submitted to Supervisor as required.
• Assist the Supervisor initiating security alerts as appropriate in line with the ever-evolving security context across Country/States through the Warden System.
• Ensure all incidents are reported and maintained in an incident tracker

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Supervise, and build the capacity of security team members including the orientation of contracted guards on operational SOPs
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold regular meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate by regular mentoring, capacity building and coaching.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the Alight HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis:

• Continuously using different established sources such as Local Media, Person contact, UN and other independent sources, collate or research security information, produce objective analysis which can be used to make informed decision to the security management plan.

Coordination & Representation:

• Attend all local stakeholder’s coordination meetings/forums within Khartoum or any other meeting as might be directed by the supervisor.
• Liaise with government, Military, Police, UN, Local Heads, INGO security peers and other key external stakeholders to ensure that Alight staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Field security teams, Department Heads, State Program Manager, Program Managers and the Global Security Team.
• External: Network of external Alight stakeholders relevant for safety and security, including UN Agencies, other NGOs, military, police, and local leaders.
• Report to: Country Director
• Supervises: Khartoum Security Guards, Any other contracted security staff.
• Indirect: Field security focal points for day-to-day security matters.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree Security Management/ Disaster Management/ International Relations, or a field related to humanitarian work or risk management.
• Professional training and certification with recognized security bodies will be considered.

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience in an INGO or UN body operating in Sudan/Region or other hostile areas as a security adviser, manager or in a similar role of security management.
• In-depth knowledge or work experience on current Safety and Security challenges in Sudan and Region in general.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Security Risk Assessment in INGO hostile environment set up.
• Competency in using and maintaining field-based communications systems (HF, VHF radios and Satellite phones).
• Security incident analysis and report writing skills.
• Good communication (verbal and writing) and interpersonal relationships development skills.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in security management, advisory, analysis and capacity building role in an international organization setting.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in fast-paced team environments and to be available 24/7 whenever a security incident occurs.
• Training and facilitation skills using different training media.
• Ability to develop Security Plans and SOPs.

Languages:

• Arabic and English.
• Any Local Language spoken in Sudan is an added advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use mapping software or applications.

Working Environment:

The position will work in the Alight Khartoum Office, with consistent travel to field offices and other program locations in East Sudan, West Kordofan and Darfur States.