Director, Safety & Security, Africa & Eurasia

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Director, Safety & Security, Africa & Eurasia to oversee the development of the HIAS security management framework across HIAS operations throughout 10 countries in Africa and Eurasia. In addition to developing HIAS’ security management practices across all of our Africa and Eurasia operations, this position will provide technical oversight to the network of HIAS security focal points in the region and act as an advisor to HIAS’ regional leadership, country directors, technical staff and regional staff implementing HIAS program activities across the region.

Note, this position can be based in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Austria, Spain, Greece, Chad or Kenya.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees the development of the HIAS security management framework in 11 countries.
• Works with country office and regional leadership to adopt safety and security standards for HIAS Europe and HIAS International (such as Duty of Care, Hibernation Relocation & Evacuation and Accountability & Responsibility for Security) in line with best practices in humanitarian security risk management and donor requirements.
• Develops and institutionalizes culture of safety and security risk management across HIAS operations in Africa and Eurasia.
• Supports HIAS’ growth in the region, including advising on new location access planning and security management related to Emergency Response program activities.
• Serves as an advisor to country directors, International Programs staff and regional team members on security-related matters.
• Implements security risk measures to address threats to HIAS staff, programs and assets.
• Provides technical oversight for security focal points based in each HIAS country operation across the region.
• Participates in Crisis Management teams for crises impacting countries in the region.
• Travels to country offices, completing security risk assessments in support of project proposals and conducting security training for staff.
• Enables program activity through security risk wise decision-making.
• Develops and manages country office safety and security management plans (SSMPs).
• Ensures country offices have functioning SOPs in place surrounding communication plans and systems.
• Implements fleet management plans and SOPs to include movement, tracking, equipment and procurement of vehicles.
• Monitors implementation of country office SSMPs and follows-up with country offices to ensure that they are implemented according to schedule.
• Stays abreast of regulatory safety and security standards in operational locations.
• Conducts regular trends and situational analysis of each country in which HIAS operates.
• Establishes and maintains strong networks globally and in HIAS countries of operation with relevant UN agencies, government, NGOs and security coordination bodies (INSO, GISF, InterAction).
• Closely monitors and analyzes regional security and political trends, including their potential impact on HIAS offices or operations.
• Keeps up-to-date with best practices in safety and security and, when/where relevant, ensures roll-out of such practices to country offices.
• Keeps up-to-date on natural disasters in operating locations.
• Works with Business Development and Programs teams on ensuring safety and security considerations and costs are incorporated into proposals.
• Ensures all HQ and country office staff, partners and consultants are aware of and follow emergency communication procedures.
• In coordination with country office safety and security focal points, ensures that security briefings are provided to all new staff as well as staff travelling between offices or outside home country.
• Monitors security conditions and liaises and coordinates with external agencies, including private security contractors, UN, peacekeeping missions, NGO coordinating bodies, local governments, etc.
• Provides guidance and training to country office, regional and HQ staff on security management, risk mitigation and incident response.
• Provides guidance and training to regional staff on personal security, security management, trends analysis and SOPs.
• Advocates for investment in safety and security with internal stakeholders and institutional donors.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in Development Studies, International Affairs, Security, Counterterrorism or other relevant field; similar degree at graduate level preferred.
• 6-8 years of experience working in security in NGO/international background.
• Fluency in English required; fluency in French, Arabic, Russian and/or Ukrainian a plus.
• A formal security qualification or appropriate security management training.
• Extensive background in safety and security management; experience of risk assessment, incident reporting, incident mapping, information collation and analysis and security technology.
• Field experience and security management in high-risk environments desired.
• Familiarity or knowledge of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is highly desired.
• Knowledge of Israel, Jewish culture, heritage and traditions is desirable.
• CPR/First Aid/AED knowledge is highly desirable.
• Ability to address emergencies outside of normal business hours.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural sensitivity and working in a diverse environment.
• Overseas work experience in insecure and/or hostile environments a plus; experience managing security in country offices.
• Ability to train and coach national and international staff in safety and security measures.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to country offices often to complex and insecure working environments.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills; excellent writing, research and organizational ability.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.