Safety and Security Officer

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Position Title:      Safety and Security Officer

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position:  1

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

The Operations Department provides key support to the entire country program in procurement, asset management, warehouse management, fleet management, IT Management, Safety and Security Management, and facilities & and office management for successful program implementation. 

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Safety and Security Officer is a member of the Safety and Security Department and is responsible for supporting operational security and information management related to safety, access, and security analysis. The primary objective of the Safety and Security Officer is to cultivate a culture of heightened security awareness that enables the successful implementation of programs and daily operations. The SFP assumes the role of a proficient team leader, adept at developing and guiding team members, and an exceptional communicator who collaborates with both internal and external stakeholders to accomplish common safety and security goals.

The Safety and Security Officer will follow directives given by the Safety and Security Manager for security support, access needs and acceptance related strategies in challenging operational environments.

Essential Responsibilities

Security Management and coordination

• Oversee the implementation of crucial security protocols, including the Security Management Plan (SMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Contingency Plans, and Risk Assessments with corresponding mitigation plans.
• Regularly disseminate security information to field staff through a user-friendly platform readily accessible to them.
• Facilitate the translation of essential documents into the local language(s).
• In close coordination with the SSM, conducts regular security assessments and audits to identify potential risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures.
•  Ensure compliance with local laws, regulatory requirements, and organizational security standards.

 Security and contextual information Analysis

• Monitor and analyze the security landscape, including political, social, and environmental factors, to proactively identify security risks and advise on appropriate risk management strategies.
• Produce regular written reports on the security situation in the areas of operation.
• Produce regular written risk assessment and mitigation plans, site reports, political economy analysis and conflict sensitive analyses.
• Ensure regularly updated incident mapping based on gathered information. Map and advice on Go/No-Go areas.
•  Help the SSM conduct thorough risk assessments, including but not limited to contextual risk analysis, site-specific risk assessments, and vulnerability assessments.

 Security Planning and Preparedness:

• Implement emergency response plans, crisis management protocols, and evacuation procedures specific to the assigned area.
• Ensure the availability and functionality of necessary safety and security equipment, resources, and systems.

 Incident Response and Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact and lead in the event of security incidents, coordinating response efforts, and ensuring the safety and well-being of personnel.
• Provide guidance in reporting and managing incidents, ensuring the timely and accurate submission of incident reports. This includes completing incident report forms, notifying relevant stakeholders, and maintaining detailed incident report files.
• Liaise with relevant external agencies, such as local authorities, security forces, and community leaders, to enhance cooperation, coordination, and support during security incidents.

Staff Capacity Building and Training:

• Ensure that new field staff receives comprehensive orientation on their first day of arrival.

• Identify security training needs and facilitate capacity-building sessions for staff members, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to operate in high-risk environments.
•  Foster a culture of security awareness and accountability among staff, promoting adherence to security protocols and reporting mechanisms.
• Provide guidance and support to staff on security-related matters, conducting periodic security briefings and debriefings.

Coordination and Partnerships:

• Maintain effective communication and coordination with relevant stakeholders, including partner organizations, UN agencies, local authorities, and community representatives, to enhance security initiatives and share relevant information.
• Collaborate with external security experts and organizations, participating in security-related forums and networks to remain updated on best practices, industry trends, and emerging security challenges.

Supervisory Responsibility

 None

Reports Directly To: Safety and Security Manager

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA degree in Political Science, Peace and Conflict, Social Sciences, or other relevant degrees.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an NGO environment.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of conflict and political dynamics of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
• Field-based experience in complex and insecure settings and preferably a conflict environment.
• Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military, government, and non-State authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions
• Experience with political analysis, actor mapping, political economy analysis, incident reporting, incident mapping, information collection, collation and analysis functions, support incident and early-warning systems, compilation of security reports and assessments.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
• Willingness to work and travel across difficult and insecure environments.
• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google suite and other database/mapping systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and local languages.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team and in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

The successful Safety and Security Officer will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. S/he will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multitask, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: February 18, 2024, 4:00 PM