Safety and Security Officer at Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)

Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) 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 50 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-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Disaster Risk Reduction, 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. COOPI is currently supporting IDPs and their hosting communities, through a multi-sectorial programme covering Food Security, Disaster Risk Reduction, 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 27 other Countries around the World, in over 50 years of operations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safety and Security Officer

Location: Benue (Roving to Plateau)
Employment Type: Full-time

Overall responsibilities

• The Safety & Security Officer - SSO is responsible to follow up the security context in COOPI areas of intervention and assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for COOPI employees and visitors, premises, and assets as well as maintaining regular communication with staff during field movement.
• The Security Officer is responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to maximize safety and security and that they are adhered to at all times.
• The Safety and Security Officer is responsible for supporting the North Central Nigeria team in Benue and Plateau States (with possible support to Kaduna and Katsina States) to ensure that safety and security is mainstreamed into all field operations and that the high-quality information is available for decision making.
• The incumbent is delegated to propose, define and apply the security rules approved by the Head of Mission.
• He / she is also in charge of monitoring the security context and preparing factual and analytical reports to assist the HoM in its analysis.
• The incumbent must conduct an ongoing analysis of the context and any perceived threats, in order to ensure the safe movement of personnel, the safety of all resources and the implementation of programs.
• He / she will provide advice and engage in staff capacity development for all aspects of security.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks
Under the direct supervision of the Area Coordinator, he / she:

Policies and Procedures:

• Work with the Country logistic Coordinator and the Head of mission to develop, consolidate, implement, and regularly review operating procedures and security plans.
• Ensure the availability of all the instruments needed to guarantee the security in the area of interventions in North Central Nigeria.
• Monitor the security situation in the field, reports to the Area Coordinator, promptly and effectively report risks and propose mitigation actions.
• In coordination with the Area Coordinator, the Country Logistics and the Head of mission, revises and updates the organization’s security tools.

Staff and Vehicle Movement:

• In collaboration with the Area coordinator, logistics and project team, monitor movement and provide security guidance to international and national staff on the current situation in operational areas.
• Daily track and record all COOPI field movement within North Central Nigeria.
• Serve as focal point with drivers during interstate movement by tracking the location of all vehicles and staff and communicate with COOPI Country Logistic Coordinator / logistics officers.
• Regularly conduct field visits to assess field site compliance with safety and security procedure during field activities.
• Ensure vehicle and personal tracking systems are appropriate, fully resourced, and operational.

Monitoring and Analysis:

• Collect and report information regarding politics and security in Northern Central Nigeria as well as on safety and security issues concerning COOPI.
• Respond to security relevant incidents with information gathering and inform the CCOPI Area Coordinator or Country Logistic Coordinator and the Head of Mission.
• Undertake continual assessments of equipment (including vehicles) and organizational assets to ensure that minimal conditions for security are met. Prevent loss and damage by reporting irregularities; informing violators of policy and procedures.
• Conduct monthly health and safety inspections such as, but not limited to: fire extinguishers, smoke/fire detectors and inspection of COOPI facilities in North Central Nigeria.
• Regularly inventory and stock as necessary hibernation kits, first aid kits, and vehicle safety kits, communication gadgets; ensure that staff know what is in the kits and how and when to use them.
• Submit regular contextual updates (weekly / monthly situational reports) to the Area coordinator.
• Work closely with COOPI field teams to ensure all incidents and accidents are followed up with an official written Incident Report, which is then shared with relevant stakeholders and filed appropriately.
• Take appropriate measures to secure COOPI premises, personnel, assets, and properties by regularly monitoring and control of COOPI existing security set-up.
• Check that facilities and equipment conform to security norms (closures and doorways are in a good state, open spaces lit up, buildings identified, fire extinguishers present, electrical installations buried, etc.).
• Liaise with other humanitarian actors in the field in order to obtain information on the safety and security situation.
• Gather security incidents concerning areas of operations and organize them in a security incident database (mapping of security incidents, graphics and data).
• Regularly analyze and update COOPI's vulnerabilities in its areas of intervention.
• Immediate alerts in the event of a drastic change in the context or significant incidents.
• Advise and propose solutions (in particular to improve access to beneficiaries) proactively.

Coordination and Networking:

• Maintain a wide professional and personal network of influential actors and clearly communicate COOPI’s status and mission in North Central Nigeria.
• Participate in meetings concerning security.
• Create, develop and maintain a contextual and security information and exchange networks in COOPI intervention areas in North Central Nigeria.
• Develop and maintain a safety network with COOPI players already present in the areas of intervention.
• Build acceptance to facilitate continuity of current COOPI programs and any future humanitarian or development programming by liaising with local communities, local authorities and other humanitarian actors and stakeholders within the states.
• Coordinate regularly with the Area Coordinator, Head of Mission and the Country Logistic Coordinator on safety and security issues and fulfill all reporting requirements.

Safety Procedure:

• Regularly update and monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure their compliance with COOPI security rules.
• Propose, define and write new SOPs when needed on the mission.
• Carry out regular site visits to verify the knowledge, application and validity of SOPs.
• Ensure the proper use, operation, updating of equipment and practical safety measures (safety trunks, safe-rooms, etc.). Correct any problems (explanation-training for staff, implementation, proposals for change or improvement of SOPs, etc.) and report to his superiors on the state of security on the bases.
• Ensure the implementation and respect of the SOPs on the mission, in conjunction with the Logistics Department with regard to their technical and practical application as well as the monitoring of materials related to security.
• Contributes to the development of risk mitigation strategies, including the drafting or adaptation of SOPs to the environment, Safety instructions and Contingency Plans (including Crisis response, Relocation plan, hibernation Relocation Plan and Evacuation Plan).
• Ensure that perimeter security staff (guards) have the capacities to perform their duties as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Trainings:

• Assist the Country Logistic Coordinator to provide training (s) that may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Contingency Plans (CPs), Security Management, Incident Reporting, Prevention and Response Mechanisms, Communications (including satellite phones), and risk / threat analysis.

Code of conduct and associated policies:

• Treat beneficiaries with dignity and apply COOPI’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, the UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in the field, including sensitizing Field Monitors and vendors/agents on such principles.
• Promote the zero-tolerance policy regarding corruption and ensure adherence to COOPI Code of Conduct and Anti-Fraud policy.
• This ToR shall be inclusive of any other task specifically assigned by the Area Coordinator or Head of Mission or the Logistic and Security Coordinator for what concerns the implementation of the security and safety actions.

Minimum Requirements

• A Higher National Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Security Operations and Management / Criminology / Disaster Management / Public administration / International relations / Business.
• Administration / Education - Languages or a field related to humanitarian work. A bachelors’ degree in similar field will be added advantage.
• Mandatory Computer use skills (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet).
• Fluency in English (written, spoken, comprehension). Knowledge of local language is highly desired (Hausa).
• Must have completed NYSC service or submit exception certificate.
• Training in First Aid and Fire Safety.
• Relevant security management certifications will be added advantage.
• Competent report writing skills.
• Basic Mapping or GIS skills.
• Disaster management and response training/ certification.

Skills & Experience:
Essential:

• At least 3 years security-related experience with UN/INGOs/CBOs operating in the North Central Nigeria either in safety and security, logistics or administration. Relevant experience from any other institution will also be considered.
• Ability to comprehend security related subjects such as threat/risk assessment, security management, and personal and organizational physical security awareness.
• Previous services with any of the Nigerian Disciplined forces, Certificate of discharge or recommendation from immediate supervisor will be required as proof.
• Proven experience or ability of working effectively in complex security environments and situations with an articulate understanding of the conflict in northeast.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the local language (Hausa).
• Willing and able to be based and travel regularly within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Ability to work closely, professionally and constructively with all others regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, tribe, or cultural background.
• Sound judgment / open minded and the ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Strong assessment, evaluation, analysis and planning skills.
• Interpersonal communication and proven written / presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historical and socio-political context of Nigeria.
• Flexibility and ability to work long hours and to be deployed on short notice.

Application Closing Date
20th March, 2026.

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

Note

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.