Security & Access Specialist in ActionAid International

 About us:

ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. ActionAid’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe was established in Kyiv in 2022 and is covering projects in Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Moldova and Georgia. ActionAid works through a wide range of local partner organisations in the nexus, prioritising young people’s leadership, civil society development, women’s rights and leadership, the protection of at-risk groups and minorities, as well as humanitarian assistance.

ActionAid has well established global safety and security systems which are supported by a global network of security focal points (SFPs). The ultimate responsibility for safety and security sits with the member/country leadership and related governance structures. About 2/3 of ActionAid’s members are either members or affiliates, with their separate boards, and 1/3 are country programmes, currently supported through the governance structures of ActionAid International.

The Role:

The Security and Access Specialist (SAS) is responsible for leading ActionAid Eastern Europe’s work on humanitarian access and security management. The role, based in Kyiv, includes minimising incidents, responding professionally to critical situations, and leading staff training and capacity-sharing initiatives to strengthen risk management. Additionally, the SAS manages all operational security matters, develops, and implements security plans, and ensures the execution of security policies on the ground. Reporting directly to the Head of the Response, the SAS also serves as the focal point for all safety and security matters, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure security approaches align with organisational policies and local contexts. And works closely with the Head of Programmes, field teams, as well as other colleagues based in Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Spain.

The role is based in Kyiv, but roving, needing the physical and mental readiness to undertake business trips across all oblasts in Ukraine to visit project implementation sites.

Tasks and Priorities

1. Day-to-Day Security Management (40%)

•Lead the day-to-day implementation of safety and security procedures in place in line with the Global Security Policy and contextual considerations,

•Provide ongoing analysis of on the contextual and political developments, and on security and access in the context of Ukraine,

•Lead and conduct regular in-situ risk assessments of project locations of ActionAid and partners by mobilizing support from the wider team i.e., Programme Risk assessment, Premises Risk assessment and other. (This may include travel to various locations in Ukraine including high risk areas),

•Monitoring of active threats in locations where ActionAid have staff members (this may extend to out of work hours),

•Being familiar with ActionAid’s Safety & Security Policy and Framework and act the first point of contact in case of a query or support need from the team,

•Support the senior leadership to contextualize and implement the Safety & Security Principles and Standards as outlined in the Global Safety & Security Policy (10 Principles and 20 Standards),

•Conduct follow-up on incidents or situations when required/requested. Be part of the Incident Management Team (IMT),

•Ensure all staff and visitors receive appropriate security briefings prior and on arrival that include reference to all relevant security materials and documents, plus focus on specific measures required of staff and visitors,

•Coordinate with the operations team and senior leadership to ensure that appropriate systems of administration, communication and transport are in place to facilitate the Security Management Plan,

•Support/train partners on building mitigation measures and contingency plans related to their organization profile and staff safety,

•Establish security recommendations through enquiring into the situation with police, national directorate of security, local people, local drivers etc.,

•Oversees facility safety and security of office and guest houses plus advise on hotel and event facility safety and security in line with the Safety Handbook policies,

•Monitors and signs up travel requests by staff and visitors.

2. Situational Awareness (40%)

•Gain and maintain an awareness of the political, economic and other drivers of insecurity in the areas within which ActionAid and partners works,

•Maintain awareness of contextual developments including monitoring real time developments,

•Maintain a staff list and be prepared to rapidly account for staff and visitors in an emergency,

•Strengthen safety and security awareness among staff, by ensuring they are initially inducted and follow-up by providing appropriate learning and development opportunities as needed,

•Provide timely and strategic advice on potential challenges or risks that may impact project operations, collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate mitigation strategies,

•Monitor and assess the security landscape, reporting any significant changes or developments to the management team.

3. Networking and Internal and External Capacity Strengthening (20%)

•Coordinate with relevant stakeholders related to safety, security, and access to hard-to-reach areas,

•Establish, maintain, and strengthen external networks which facilitate safety and security risk management,

•Actively engage with the Global SFP Network to exchange knowledge, learning and capacities for the wider benefit of the AA Federation, and adhere to the Global SFP Team Charter (ToR),

•Facilitate relevant safety and security trainings for partners in collaboration with other stakeholders,

•Be the focal point for partners for any safety and security training and refer them to appropriate support,

•Conduct training needs assessment and evaluation with partners,

•Develop initiatives to build safety and security preparedness capacities of identified partner agencies.

4. Additional responsibilities

•Lead on security budgeting processes and ensure critical security needs are accounted for during the annual planning process and/or its updates,

•Follow up maintenance of communication tools, safety and fire equipment and Personal Protection equipment through weekly check of their functioning.

(The responsibilities of this position are subject to change as required by the rapidly evolving context.)

Who we are looking for:

•A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such security management, risk management, or another relevant degree,

•At least two years of relevant experience working for national CSOs, UN or international NGOs in Ukraine, preferably in a similar role,

•Proven experience in providing operational security advice and support in a conflict setting,

•Fluency in spoken and written English is a must, Ukrainian language skills are preferable, (additionally, Russian skills are desired),

•Considerable experience in undertaking security and access management, incl. experience in liaising with relevant security stakeholders, conducting context reviews, on-site security assessments etc.,

•A strong knowledge of the concept of humanitarian access in Ukraine, and experience in engaging governmental stakeholders incl. the military,

•Ability and willingness to travel to all regions of Ukraine,

•Work experience in Eastern Ukraine, incl. in frontline areas, is highly preferred,

•Proven ability to work independently and efficiently supporting teams,

•Works well in a dynamic environment and keeps a level head in emergency situations,

•Proven experience in managing, and building the capacity of, staff and local partners,

•A valid driver’s licence category B (manual transmission) is desirable,

•Exceptional interpersonal skills: tact, patience, diplomacy, confidentiality, and appropriate assertiveness when communicating with donors and partners,

•Consultative and empowering working style and willingness to learn from others,

• In addition, we expect:

oA strong commitment to AA’s vision, mission, and values, especially the rights-based approach and the principles of equal opportunity as outlined in ActionAid’s Code of Conduct,

oA strong commitment to embedding feminist leadership and ActionAid’s humanitarian signature,

oA strong commitment to adhering to and promoting ActionAid’s approach to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse and other Safeguarding concerns (including child abuse and abuse of adults at-risk),

oA strong understanding of and commitment to women’s rights and cultural sensitivity,

oA commitment to the importance of downward accountability to rights-holders and transparency in humanitarian response,

What we offer:

ActionAid is committed to providing a welcoming, supportive workplace where we recognize a job well done, encourage close collaboration and sharing power, and where safeguarding standards and feminist leadership are exemplified everywhere. At ActionAid, you can look forward to a fair compensation package and a flexible working environment, including.

•A workplace that embraces intersectional feminist principles,

•Flexible working arrangements,

•Salary and conditions according to ActionAid’s salary grid for candidates,

•Wellbeing package.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and cover letter as pdfs in English (no more than 2 pages each) to [email protected]  with the reference Ukraine –Security & Access Specialist.

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This offer is contingent upon pending funding applications for the role.

ActionAid conducts thorough reference checks before making an offer.

Due to high volumes of applications received, we can only correspond with short-listed applicants. Should you not have received feedback on your application within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

ActionAid will not consider unsolicited candidates from recruitment agencies.

ActionAid reserves the right to modify, re-announce, or withdraw any of our vacancies at any time.

ActionAid is committed to recruiting candidates who promote ActionAid’s SHEA and Safeguarding policies and values and will only recruit candidates who are committed to SHEA and Safeguarding and ActionAid’s values, thereby helping to create safer working cultures.

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