Safety and Security Officer at Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) (4 Openings)

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts, and natural disasters. For 60 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economic Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

COOPI started its operations in North-East Nigeria in July 2014 to carry out a rapid evaluation of the most relevant constraints suffered by the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) displaced by the food crisis and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

The COOPI Nigeria Field Office is located in Yobe State, to cover intervention LGAs in Yobe State and to provide direct assistance to the IDPs and their hosting communities, through a multi-sectoral programme covering Food Security, Social Protection, Early Recovery, and Livelihoods, Nutrition, and Child Protection interventions. COOPI's capacity to respond to the humanitarian situation in the country is confirmed by its experience in providing humanitarian aid in more than 33 other Countries around the World, in over 60 years of operations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safety and Security Officer 

Locations: Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Duration: 7 months (September 2025 – March 2026 with possible extension)
Supervised / Reports to: Project Manager / Area Coordinator

Job Description
Main Responsibilities and Tasks:

• The Security Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of staff, assets and operations under the project.
• Operating in volatile and conflict-prone areas, the officer will monitor local security dynamics, advise field teams and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• This role requires strong contextual awareness, discretion and a proactive approach to humanitarian safety management.

Duties and Responsibilities
Security Monitoring & Risk Assessment:

• Continuously monitor local security trends, threats, and incidents across project LGAs.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and update security plans accordingly.
• Liaise with local authorities, community leaders, and security networks to gather intelligence.
• Provide timely alerts and recommendations to field teams during high-risk situations.

Staff Safety & Movement Coordination:

• Support safe movement of staff and assets between field locations.
• Ensure pre-departure briefings and movement tracking protocols are followed.
• Maintain updated contact lists and emergency communication procedures.

• Coordinate with logistics teams to ensure vehicles are equipped with safety kits and communication tools.

Incident Response & Reporting:

• Lead initial response to security incidents involving staff or assets.
• Document and report incidents using standardized formats.
• Support post-incident debriefings and lessons learned exercises.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity in handling security-related information.

Training & Capacity Building:

• Conduct safety inductions for new staff and refresher sessions for field teams.
• Promote awareness of Do No Harm principles, conflict sensitivity, and personal safety.
• Support community mobilizers and volunteers with basic safety guidance tailored to their roles.

Compliance & Coordination:

• Ensure adherence to COOPI’s safety protocols and donor security requirements.
• Participate in coordination meetings with other humanitarian actors and security agencies.
• Maintain updated documentation including security SOPs, contingency plans, and risk maps.

Additional job responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within the reasonableness level of skills and experience.

Qualifications
Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Security Management, Criminology, Political Science, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in field security roles within humanitarian or development settings.
• Strong understanding of local conflict dynamics and community structures.
• Fluency in English and at least one local language spoken in target states.

Desired Experience:

• Prior experience working in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, or Katsina.
• Familiarity with NGO safety protocols and INSO coordination mechanisms.
• Basic first aid and emergency response training.

Skills and Technical Competencies:

• High integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing security environments.
• Proficiency in using mobile communication tools and GPS-based tracking apps.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and inclusive safety practices.

Desirable:

• Prior experience working in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, or Katsina.
• Familiarity with NGO safety protocols and INSO coordination mechanisms.
• Basic first aid and emergency response training.

What We Offer

• A chance to contribute to transformative climate and peacebuilding initiatives.
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and learning.

Application Closing Date
8th September, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.