Nigeria Security Adviser at Christian Aid (CA)

Christian Aid (CA) is a UK-based international NGO, partnering with others to end poverty in Africa. At the heart of this vision is the transformation of the lives of people who live in poverty, empowering them to have a brighter future. Christian Aid works in more than 30 countries and has been operating in Nigeria since 2003. The Nigeria Country programme focuses on Community Health and HIV, Accountable Governance including humanitarian response and Gender.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nigeria Security Adviser

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Department: International
Report to: Country Director
Matrix Manager: Corporate Security Manager
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Contracted Hours: 35
Contract Length: One year

Role Purpose

• The main purpose of this role is to provide in country security cover and assessments for the staff, the programme and the offices in Nigeria. This will be done by applying Christian Aid’s security protocols, in country assessments, contacts with the local security community, the UN, INSO, IMF and other appropriate sources
• He / She will line manage 2 Security Officers currently located within the Country Programme structure
• He / She will deploy advanced security intelligence across the Country with the support of the Security Officers to ensure that all Christian Aid Nigeria staff, assets, and partners are safe and have little or no possible exposures to security vulnerabilities
• This role will be based in Abuja and reports to the Country Director.

Key Outcomes:

• Strong and diverse information network (local, UN, INSO, IMF etc) established from which reliable and up to date information on security may be obtained and applied by the team
• Sound cultural and situational advice, especially to the Country Director and other staff within the country team
• As delegated by the Country Director, ensure the security and crisis management plans are regularly reviewed and up to date and, providing security briefings prior and on arrival in country to visitors
• All Christian Aid staff - programme, office, drivers and guards are regularly trained on security and communications procedures
• Field security assessments carried out and provided to the Country Director as required prior to submission of travel requests. Thereafter provide security support and presence during field trips
• Line manage the Security Officers based in Kaduna and Maiduguri
• Ensure that all the Security guards and drivers in all Christian Aid offices in Nigeria receive high level technical support from the Security Officers and are well trained. In addition, ensure that all Christian Aid locations, vehicles, communication & security equipments are checked and maintained accordingly
• Support the Country Director with adjusting the country programme security architecture when necessary
• Represent the Country Director in high level security meetings / engagements
• Regularly up-date and communication with Corporate Security Manager.

Role Agility:

• Expected travel per annum - Occasional travel
• On call/unsocial hours - Yes
• Surge capacity for emergency responses - Yes -could be required to to travel for more than 75 days p.a. and for a period of up to 3 months but for no more than 6 months p.a. with no less than one month’s interval between postings unless in extreme circumstances.

Others:

• In order to respond to ever changing demands within the environment, Christian Aid operates within an agile framework (both in workforce and operational) that requires from all employees, a high level of responsiveness and adaptiveness to processes and structures making flexibility and a project based working approach the norm.
• To sustain this system, managers may/will agree further details of specific tasks and duties as part of the performance agreement.
• Any reasonable duty may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility, and employees may be required to change the focus of their role from time to time.

Role Context

• The role fits within the International Department and specifically within the Nigeria country programme
• The individual is responsible for ensuring that the Country Director is up to date on all security issues pertaining to the programme and country
• He / she will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of security for all the office locations, the staff whilst working with the various security networks. He /she will ensure that the guards and drivers are proficient and trained in their respective role and duties. Monitoring and supporting Programmatic work ensuring all staff and volunteers operate within Christian Aid’s Security protocols.

Role Requirements
Relationships:

• External: Networking closely with other agencies covering security; with partners and visitors.
• Internal: Line managed and reports to the Country Director and matrix managed by the Corporate Security Manager.Works closely with the whole Team-programme and Administration Officers within the clearly defined responsibilities approved by his/her supervisor. Responsible in Line managing the guards and drivers.

Decision Making

• Budgetary / savings responsibility: This will be in Line with programmatic work, there will be a budget for security and safety equipment and training:
  • Carry out all assignments by following policy and procedures established in office and other relevant Christian Aid policies and procedures. Spending authority is only with prior approval from supervisor.
  • Security networking and alliance building skills.
  • Daily/Weekly updates (depending on severity of security issues)to Country Director on security situation covering country security developments during the previous day/seven days and making recommendations as appropriate.
  • Immediate reporting to Country Director on security issues or incidents affecting Christian Aid operations or involving staff, premises and assets whilst making recommendations taking proactive measures.
  • Monthly reporting to Country Director on security situation in overall country context related to the previous month.
  • Monthly calls with the Corporate Security Manager to update on the situation and be provided with guidance and advice.
  • Be able to make critical security decisions/response during or after incidents.

Analytical Skills:

• Able to carry out risk assessment and apply solutions to migrate against in country threats both to staff and the field programme
• Monitoring and reviewing security protocols for all Christian Aid offices and taking action to address or improve them on a regular basis
• Incident reporting and analysis.

Developing Self and Others:

• Number of Direct reports - 2
• Overall people management responsibility - 2:
  • The ability to take security initiatives whilst being self-motivated to develop his/her security knowledge and skills
  • Provide capacity building to the Security Officers, drivers,and guards and, regular security training / awareness /dates to Team.

Role Related Checks:

• Child protection clearance: Standard
• Counter terrorism screening: Required

Person Specification
Applied Skills / Knowledge and Expertise:

Essential:

• Degree in Social Sciences, Administration or Business
• Minimum of 3 years experiencein security and safety management/logistics in an international NGO.
• Field based experience in complex and insecure settings or relevant security overseas position
• Field based experience in complex and insecure settings or relevant security overseas position
• Sound understanding of Nigerian social and political context and its impact on security; well informed and knowledgeable about global security trends and issues
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Excellent analytical skills
• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with relevant internal and external stakeholders, with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Experience of people management

Desirable:

• Ability to effectively deal with the stress factor in security management situations
• Good understanding of Nigeria’s security issues
• Experience in liaising with civilian, police and military government authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions.

Digital / IT Competencies Required:

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint - Intermediate
• Web content design & development - Basic
• Internet based collaboration tools and video calling - Intermediate
• Social Media - NA
• Data Visualisation - Basic

Competency Profile
Level 2: You are expected to be able to:

• Build partnerships:
  • Take on different work when necessary to achieve a team or organisational goal
  • Actively consult with others to ensure you understand their needs or goals
  • Listen to and take on board fresh perspectives and views, even if you initially disagree with them
  • Maintain relationships with individuals and networks, based on mutual understanding and respect.
• Communicate effectively:
  • Make complex things simple for the benefit of others
  • Actively listen and question to check your understanding and draw out others when they are not expressing themselves clearly or seem to be holding back
  • Be sensitive to what others may be feeling, based on what they say, how they say it and their non-verbal behaviour, adapting your approach accordingly
  • Address difficult issues when they arise, being honest and open.
• Steward resources:
  • Implement ways to reduce inefficiency in use of resources or pass the ideas on to someone who can make them happen.
  • Estimate the resources needed to achieve your own work plans or objectives and deliver them in the most efficient and cost effective way
  • Set and communicate realistic timelines for achieving tasks, working out how best to adapt if priorities change or unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Deliver results:
  • Prioritise, plan and monitor your work to meet your own and team deliverables to agreed standards.
  • Acknowledge others’ priorities whilst being prepared to say ‘no’ if there are genuine reasons why their needs cannot be met.
  • Use logical processes and relevant tools and techniques to report on information or analyse options
  • Make timely and considered recommendations or decisions based on analysis of available data, information and evidence.
• Realise potential:
  • Evaluate your own work and actively address gaps in knowledge and skills, without prompting
  • Recognise how you react to feedback and manage reactions positively, acting on specific feedback from others
  • Share your knowledge where it will help others to be more effective
  • Provide instruction, constructive feedback and guidance to others to help them learn.
• Strive for Improvement:
  • Constructively challenge existing practice
  • Seek better ways of doing things, taking into account the possible implications.
  • Make positive suggestions on a way forward when faced with challenges, even if these fall outside the scope of your own work
  • Look inside and outside Christian Aid for new ideas and evaluate their potential for your own work.

Application Closing Date
18th June, 2021.