SOS Children’s Villages International recruits 01 Global Head of Safety and Security

Job description

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organization we support children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health and emergency relief, and we advocate for the rights of children and young people, in alliance with a great diversity of partners. We work in 135 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families and caregivers each year. To support us with this important responsibility we are now looking for talented and committed Global Head of Safety and Security.

Mission

The Head of Safety and Security will be overall responsible in supporting the relevant positions and bodies within the federation for the implementation of and adherence to the “Individuals Safety and Security Policy Support document”

The head of Safety and Security will support the implementation of appropriate safety and security management procedures within the federation In addition, the Head of Safety and Security will be responsible for actively assisting WCNA (West, Central and North Africa Regional Office) and IO (International Office) to all aspects of staff safety and security management. He/She will effectively address issues that could and has impacted on surrounding all staff safety, security and the protection of SOS WCNA staff and assets. This position will be under the direct supervision of the IDR (International Director of Region) of WCNA with a functional line to IO level.

Purpose

The SOS CVI strategy 2020 defines Action 2.4 as follows:

• Establish risk reduction mechanism in 60 MAs (Member Associations) to improve security and safety of children, staff and assets by 2020.
• The Head of Safety & Security will ensure that above-mentioned actions will be implemented.
• The incumbent will oversee, contribute to, promote and implement the global security strategy, policies and guidelines. He/She will proactively provide advice, support, instruction and training to all MAs in all regions with an increased direct implementation focus towards WCNA, on security issues and be the technical supervisor for all security related appointments in the region.
• He/She will be responsible for providing an objective overview of global and regional safety trends and issues and as such will maintain a sufficient level of independence to intervene in situations where security management at the MA level requires assistance. This would include a rapid deployment if required.
• This role requires the holder to manage the budget for security operations/programme assistance in MAs in the WCNA region, in collaboration with other regional colleagues mainly from Emergency and Finance & Control.
• He/She ensures that effective lines of communication are established and maintained between all MAs security appointments and/or National Directors, particularly in MAs with ERP programmes.
• He/She will have to be a proactive and flexible individual with in-depth knowledge of post-conflict and/or complex emergency environments. Have a good understanding and experience of neutrality in local conflicts and conflict parties.
• He/She will interact with all parties while maintaining a position of humanitarian neutrality. Have a deep and clear understanding of humanitarian principles, codes of conduct and, ideally, specific sub-sectoral work such as protection, health and shelter.
• He/She will demonstrable practical experience in security management, training or analysis, in a relevant organizational context, as well as an advanced knowledge of communications technology.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective working exchanges and relationships with security officials of other international organizations, regional government counterparts and partner security services, all the regions / country United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) offices and all appropriate security focal points, in order to ensure up to date security-related information that is beneficial to the regional overview and country specific missions and individual offices is obtained
• Articulate steps and measures to implement the institutional Security Policy and lead and coordinate the practical implementation of the security policy in the different locations
• Lead the development and review of security plans and procedures, including, but not limited to, contingency and crisis response plans, severe incident management protocol (kidnapping), standard operating procedures, emergency communications;
• Provide advice and respond to training needs to develop staff safety and security competencies – also by drawing from the experience of local teams and stakeholders
• Undertake regular security assessment missions in existing and potential areas of intervention and intervene/assist in case IO/IOR or MA expresses a need for support in severe incident management, crisis management or other.
• Maintain close contacts with all relevant stakeholders to develop a network of security specialists in all regions and build relationships with key actors
• Monitor the reporting and data gathering of security incidents and generate analysis/reports on security trends, responses and vulnerabilities and any relevant lessons learned from security and safety incidents.

Job Requirements

Master level university degree in a relevant domain, such as Disaster Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations;

• Minimum of 10 years of operational experience in humanitarian aid and/or development work, in particular in multi-cluster INGOs or multinational organizations;
• Strong expertise in safety and security management in hazardous/complex environments, including design and management of safety and security risk management structures and operational application
• Team player,
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both French and English.
• Be able to successfully and productively resolve problems
• Be able to successfully manage time, plans, projects and other related tasks
• Be able to adequately function in a high expectancy and demand position, including significant travel
• Be able to continuously meet targets and surpass expectations
• Commitment to the values of SOS CVI

We offer

• Diverse, creative and challenging opportunities in an international working environment
• Possibility to make significant contribution towards the development of Member Associations in the Region
• Competitive compensation package and excellent development opportunities
• In accordance with the organization’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks

What We Stand For:

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organization, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.

Application

If you are interested in this position, please send your detailed e-mail application: CV including 3 references and cover letter in English by August, 15, 2020) at the latest to jobs.iorwcaf@sos-kd.org

The position title must be mentioned in the subject line. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged.