Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security Manager at Borno Women Development Initiative (BOWDI)

Borno Women Development Initiative (BOWDI) is a women-led, registered Non-Governmental, Non-Profit Organization with its head office located in Borno State, Nigeria. BOWDI has been active in Humanitarian and Development activities in the Northeast, especially in education, peace-building, advocacy, food security, livelihood, and protection.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Job Summary

• Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director the Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager (HASSM) should maintain, improve and expand principled humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in the area of responsibility through the development and overseeing the implementation of humanitarian access and security management plans in compliance with BOWDI’s strategy and in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, Duty of Care, and Gender Equality principles.
• The post holder will provide professional advice to all BOWDI entities based in Borno, to identify changes and trends in the humanitarian access and security environment in the areas of operations and will ensure that adequate and up-to-date policies and procedures are in place and ensure people have the information they need to manage operations, to identify issues, and to recommend and implement measures to reduce them.
• The Humanitarian Access Safety & Security Manager position, under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator, supports the teams in Borno in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risk to facilitate access for humanitarian programming, operating within acceptable Safety & Security risk levels.
• The role will work independently but, where necessary, with technical support from the existing BOWDI security structure to ensure that project staff deployed to the field are supported and oriented on the required protocols. To achieve this, the HASSM will be based in Borno and regularly support the teams in the field.
• The role will further entail advising the management team and other project staff on various security matters; contribute to implementing the security policies and facilitate the rollout of security SOPs, and regular reporting on compliance.
• The HASS Manager will liaise with the Director and externally liaise with relevant stakeholders like the military, police, DSS, government officials, and traditional authorities for collaboration, acceptance, and ease of access. The HASS Manager will organize regular security training and refresher training to enable staff to have a constant understanding of the context and existing security plans.

Major Responsibilities
Humanitarian Access Management:

• Develop and implement humanitarian access strategies and approaches tailored to local contexts in field sites throughout Northeast.
• Ensure humanitarian access approaches are responsive to local context and include overarching community engagement components.
• Ensure that the BOWDI field safety, security, and access teams conduct principled and sustainable negotiations with relevant actors in Nigeria in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs, duty of care principles, and the BOWDI’s strategy.
• Work to ensure that BOWDI, its mission and work in the areas of operations are known and accepted.
• Work to encourage stakeholders to work with the BOWDI in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities in Northeast.
• Provide technical input and advice in assessments to consider new BOWDI programs in new geographic areas, and regular assessment reviews for existing locations within Northeast.
• Assist in the continued development of humanitarian access teams and activities across Northeast.
• Contribute to developing and implementing guidelines for humanitarian access and engagement with non-state actors articulating standard BOWDI policy and guidance.
• Oversee and advise on the implementation and review of tailored acceptance strategies.
• Maintain a high level of preparedness vis-à-vis predicted contextual fluctuations operationally and programmatically.
• Enhance BOWDI image and acceptance within the community and amongst stakeholders by providing guidance on inclusive visibility strategies.
• Work with appropriate BOWDI units, including HR, to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to violations of BOWDI’s Code of Conduct, in addition to operational breaches to humanitarian principles.

Safety and Security Risk Management and System:

• Share Daily Security Reports/updates with all Borno staff.
• Share Daily Situation Reports/updates with SMT, HASST team, and other relevant senior staff.
• Maintain updated security incident reports and ensure timely dissemination of security information to all staff.
• Ensure that incident report forms are properly compiled by staff and distributed to the Management team.
• Conduct security briefings and orientations for all newly hired staff, staff on mission, or international visitors using the standard briefing format. Maintain an updated briefing tracking sheet.
• With support of relevant staff, conduct security risk assessments of program locations in Borno using standard SRA & Security Level tools, monitoring contextual trends before and after staff deployment.
• Work closely with the Executive Director Program and HASS Team to ensure that Safety and Security Standards in Borno offices are maintained and implemented in line with recommendations from assessments.
• Assist in collating, analyzing, and disseminating security information to project staff, ensuring accuracy and neutrality.
• Contribute to the development and review of Project field offices FSMPs, CPs, security plans, Contingency Plans, and SOPs.
• Enforce Security SOPs and notify SHASS Coordinator immediately of any breaches.
• Conduct regular checks on BOWDI premises in Borno, provide recommendations for improvements, and follow up on implementation.
• Initiate security alerts based on evolving security context across Borno, using Warden System, Bulk SMS, and Early Warning Group.
• Ensure staff movement is tracked and communication via Sat Phone is maintained.
• Guide teams on conducting security risk assessments during field missions, reporting findings, and recommending improvements.
• Monitor events, review incidents, and coordinate analysis with relevant coordinators.
• Provide situational analysis and recommended actions to the Field Management Team regularly.

Documentation:

• Ensure all S&S documentation for Northeast as per Global Humanitarian S&S policy and standards is updated and filed.
• Maintain centralized filing system for security-related documents in Nigeria.
• Conduct threat assessments and compile reports on security of offices, staff residences, field sites, and project areas.
• Map all incidents and provide timely analysis to identify trends. Ensure all field offices follow the same process.

Briefing, Training and Capacity Building:

• Ensure quality and timely security briefings for new staff.
• Promote shared understanding of risk mitigation strategies among staff.
• Provide an annual training plan for Borno staff on safety, security, and access.
• Develop standardized training methods and ensure guidelines are understood and implemented across programs.
• Act as a team facilitator for developing Field office Security Management Plans.
• Build capacity of HASS Officers and other staff in Borno.
• Guide and train staff to ensure adherence to Country Minimum Safety and Security Standards.

Program Development:

• Participate in program design with the ED and sector leads.
• Participate in review meetings to ensure timely and secure service delivery.
• Advise on context-specific risks and contribute to mitigation plans.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build capacity of team members in technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote capacity-building approaches for Borno teams.
• Provide regular coaching, set performance objectives, and conduct evaluations.
• Approve time, leave, and manage performance issues in line with HR policies.
• Promote staff well-being, healthy work-life balance, and succession planning.
• Adhere to BOWDI HR Policies and model high standards of compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (minimum), preferably in Security Risk Management or related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in insecure environments with NGOs.
• Field-based security management experience.
• Experience with incident reporting, risk analysis, and communications systems (HF/VHF/SatPhone).
• Experience in Borno/Northeast Nigeria preferred.

Technical Skills:

• Strong organizational, analytical, and reporting skills.
• Team management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Security policy implementation and training delivery.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and diplomacy.
• Ability to lead trainings and build staff capacity.

Application Closing Date
20th June, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Women are strongly encouraged to apply
• Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• BOWDI’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
• Eligibility: Kindly read the job description and criteria for the position you are applying for and ensure you meet the minimum job requirement.