Head of Safety & Security – Geneva (Switzerland)

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups and de Facto Authorities (AGDA) for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protection of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian access.
Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

The role of Head of Safety & Security is to further consolidate Geneva Call’s Safety and Security management policies and practices and ensure all requisite security plans, protocols, and standard operating procedures across all the contexts are updated and applied. The Head of Safety & Security will be responsible to inculcate culture of security, safety awareness and responsibility among all the staff of Geneva Call. The Head of Safety & Security will monitor, assess security dynamics in contexts Geneva Call is operating and provide regular updates and reports to the Senior Management.

Core responsibilities

Safety and Security Management

• Develop, refine, and consolidate safety and security management plans and related tools in line with the evolving safety and security risks.
• Regularly conduct analysis of safety & security trends and ensure GC policies are aligned to facilitate access for humanitarian programming in complex and volatile environments.
• Ensure Geneva Call operates within acceptable Safety & Security risk levels and mitigation strategies in different operational contexts are in place.
• Technical line management of all Safety and Security Focal Points in the country missions and ensure their ToRs are in line with GC standard Safety and Security policies.
• Incorporate safety and security approaches into operational planning and implementation practices.
• Coordinate with relevant focal points during crisis/emergency situations and serve as a focal point during critical incident management situations and keep the leadership team informed through established communication channels.
• Ensure all Country teams have updated safety and security policies and plans according to localized contexts and are applied cohesively.
• Regularly conduct safety and security audits of the country offices and share reports with the senior management.
• Ensure safety and security related costs are incorporated in the country budgets.
• Coordinate with key focal points and further develop acceptance-based security strategies to strengthen GC field operations.
• In critical situations, support country teams developing threat specific safety and security protocols.
• Lead in promoting safety and security culture within the organization and programmatic planning.
• Maintain an overview of all agreements, MOUs and registration documents with authorities and other stakeholders which may facilitate/hinder humanitarian access.
• Lead in conducting security mapping of existing mission and new missions and propose proactive safety and security engagement strategies.
• Ensure all country missions have requisite safety protocols and security clearance for office and residential premises.
• Coordinate with country focal points and ensure all GC fleet/drivers follow travel safety and security protocols.
• Conduct analysis of security incidents and define strategies to prevent and mitigate such incidents.
• Support focal points in country teams developing and updating contingency and evacuation plans.
• Ensure that security management is handled through a mix of traditional and modern technologies.
• Produce monthly safety and security report**.**

Training

• Develop safety and security training manual and ensure all GC staff are trained in Geneva Call’s safety and security policies and practices.
• Ensure all relevant staff in incident and crisis management teams are well trained in their roles and responsibilities.
• Identify relevant field safety and security training programs for key staff in the field.
• Ensure induction security briefings are provided to all newly hired staff.

Coordination

• Coordinate with all heads of units in the support and operations department and provide regular updates.
• Coordinate with the security focal points of the other organizations at HQ level and build collaborations.
• Advise senior management on Geneva Call’s adherence to humanitarian principles. Ensure all staff are aware of humanitarian principles and Geneva Call’s mission and code of conduct.
• In coordination with the IT, develop operational IT safety and security policies and procedures.
• Participate in relevant security related forums and briefings.

Professional and personal qualifications

Education

• Master’s or equivalent academic background in Security management, strategic studies, or other related fields.

Years of Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant Safety and Security Management experience in a humanitarian organization in different security contexts.

Main qualifications, experiences, and skills

• Progressively responsible experience in developing safety and security policies and protocols.
• Field security leadership experience in hostile operational contexts in humanitarian settings.
• Experience in developing non-aid-based safety and security policies and procedures.
• Experience training local and international staff.
• Effective negotiation and representation skills.
• Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
• Ability to engage and manage stressful circumstances and situations.
• Flexibility to travel at short notice.
• Experience of working in multiculture contexts and awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Information management and data analysis skills.

Languages

• Excellent English required.
• Advanced proficiency in any of the following languages: French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic is an advantage.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position: Head of Safety & Security
• Type of contract: Open ended (Swiss contract)
• Activity rate: 100%
• Work place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Preferred start date: 1 March 2024