Manager, Safety & Security

Location: This position is based in Damascus and is an unaccompanied post. It is contingent upon donor funding. While on-the-ground operations are being finalized, the position will initially be remote.*Please Note: Hiring for this position is contingent upon final funding approval. Contracting is subject to confirmation of project award and scope.Search for Common GroundIn a world often divided, Search for Common Ground stands for the power of bringing diverse people together to find solutions. By meeting this moment with Search, you join a powerful global peace movement that believes in the profound impact of courageous multipartiality - that all voices should be heard and respected in shaping a better, more connected world, and a collaborative vision is essential for lasting peace.Search for Common Ground adopts a dynamic approach by developing solutions tailored to the specific needs of communities. We engage with leaders and elected officials to advance dialogue and collaboration. We are community leaders. We are youth activists. We are women. We are Peacebuilders. We have been doing this work for over 40 years, and we have developed a deep understanding of what peace looks like, enabling us to quantify our impact and design more effective programming. Peace moves at the speed of trust, so we invest for the long haul. When we’re no longer needed, we leave, leaving behind people and institutions with the ability to manage future conflicts.Team Summary The Safety and Security team believes that managing safety and security risks is essential not only to ensure our staff's protection but also to safeguard our ability to continue working with local partners to build sustainable peace in their societies through trust, collaboration, and breakthroughs. The S&S team is committed to mitigating any risk to our staff, assets, and reputation extending to include all our stakeholders by creating a safe and secure environment around the delivery of our programs, through informing the strategizing process at the highest levels to providing the resources for educating our staff, partners and all affiliates and availing the necessary tools for reporting, response, follow up through all stages of incident management up to resolution. Position SummaryThe Manager, Safety & Security is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive safety and security strategies for Search for Common Ground's operations in Syria. This includes conducting thorough risk assessments, maintaining and updating security plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and ensuring compliance with Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS). The role involves daily security management, crisis response, and coordinating security activities across all SFCG premises and project sites. The Manager will also be responsible for reporting on security incidents, providing regular security briefings and training to staff and partners, and establishing a robust security network in collaboration with local authorities, UN agencies, and other NGOs. This position requires strong leadership in managing security personnel and a commitment to safeguarding staff, assets, and the organization's reputation, while ensuring the continued delivery of peacebuilding programs.Key Responsibilities

Department Management

• • Manages the recruitment and selection of qualified security personnel, including consultants, regular staff, and other relevant personnel, and provides support to other key safety & security personnel.
  • Conducts frequent site visits to Search premises and project sites to conduct performance assessments and provide support to the security and project teams.
  • Maintains open lines of communication with all field staff.

    Context & Risk Analysis

    • • Develops and regularly updates the country security profile (with regards to the socio-economic, political, and/or military situation in the country, the country criminality profile, the nature of ongoing conflicts or crises, climatic/seismic hazards, and health risks, among others)
      • Conducts follow-up on major country events and developments
      • Identify and communicate with key stakeholders
      • Utilizes Search’s Incident Reporting System as needed to report and communicate incidents.
      • Fills in and regularly updates the Risk Assessment Matrix (threat, likelihood, impact, level of vulnerability, level of risk) and holds meetings with project teams as needed.
      • Conducts security assessments of new Search areas of intervention and others under consideration.
      • Performs assessments of office spaces, hotels, and event venues as needed prior to Search’s engagement.
      • Conducts security briefings for visiting staff and partners.
      • Updates and maintains Country Safety & Security Plans, SOPs, Contingency Plans, and quarterly reports
      • Develops and regularly updates the Country Safety and Security Plan for validation by the Country Director, then submits it to HQ.
      • Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adapted to the local context
      • Develops and regularly updates evacuation and contingency plans across all in-country locations
      • Designs and drills a communication tree, emergency network, and other relevant systems.

        Security Management

        • • Coordinates and monitors security activities to ensure that safety and security policies and procedures are implemented.
          • Works to meet Search’s Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) throughout all of our operations.
          • Works closely with S&S colleagues across the world, including Search’s Director of Safety & Security, based in Washington, on updates, policies, procedures, and community.
          • Supports consortium members with all tasks related to security and ensures that the security setup of consortium partners meets the expected requirements.
          • Ensures that all field staff are fully aware of prevailing security threats and are thoroughly informed on measures to reduce their vulnerability to those threats.
          • Monitors the security preparedness of country staff and enforces staff compliance with internal security rules and SOPs, ensuring they are communicated to all staff and understood
          • Sets up and controls the implementation of mitigation measures and security rules according to the local context
          • Conducts security assessments of new Search facilities to ensure a consistent level of facility protection.
          • Utilizes Search systems to monitor movements/events and coordinates with staff in the event of emergencies.
          • Ensures a proper level of preparation before movement on the field, ensures transportation means are suitable, maintains the fleet effectively, and establishes movement rules tailored to the local context. Ensure operational follow-up of movements.
          • Provides orientation prior to the deployment of Search personnel to a new area, and ensures minimum security standards are in place.

            Crisis Management

            • • Adapts crisis management protocols to local situations
              • Supports consortium members in updating and harmonizing their security protocols.
              • Acts as a key member of the Crisis Management Team to ensure that safety policies and procedures are implemented.

                Reporting

                • • Ensures that weekly and monthly security reports are provided to the Team Leader, Country Director, and HQ as needed.
                  • Provides timely updates regarding situational and security developments, including, but not limited to, investigation of security incidents, and shares with appropriate staff
                  • Provides monthly security updates to the Steering Committee members
                  • Ensures that lessons learned are quickly documented and integrated into policies and processes.

                    Training and Briefing

                    • • Conducts security training and briefings for new staff arriving in the country and during new employee onboarding on applicable security risks and procedures.
                      • Designs security training modules for Country Director’s approval and HQ endorsement.
                      • Conducts periodic training for all staff to increase staff awareness and sense of responsibility for S&S
                      • Conducts or facilitates any staff security training that is warranted ( training to drivers and guards, evacuation drills, fire safety, etc.).
                      • Supports consortium partners in ensuring that all team members receive the required security briefings and mandatory training.
                      • Participates in regular Security meetings and presentations.
                      • Builds and maintains a strong security information network in the country, identifying key collaboration opportunities with partners.
                      • Builds professional relationships with UN agencies, local authorities, other NGO’s (local and international), and other relevant stakeholders
                      • Attends security coordination meetings and updates the Country Director and HQ on current security issues
                      • Contributes to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, applying Search’s Code of Conduct, values, and policies related to internal and external stakeholders.

                        Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

                        • • Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with FCDO, partners, and other stakeholders.
                          • Manages and contributes to routine activities and initiatives while also making progress on continuous improvement efforts.
                          • Juggles multiple demands and adapts to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches.
                          • Contributes to the development and implementation of the Consortium, aligning with its goals and objectives.
                          • Confirms and socializes standards across functions globally while allowing for thoughtful collaboration in an international context.
                          • Practices ethical behavior to meet Search’s expectations for conduct, minimizes ambiguity, and sets an example for others.
                          • Builds a framework and sets in motion a plan to overcome challenges by making sense of complexity and an uncertain future, staying cognizant of the implications of choices for the department, and being decisive while also applying flexibility for further change as needed and in response to changing work plans that meet environmental factors.
                          • Sets up procedures and team building to ensure high quality of work (e.g., review meetings).
                          • Seeks out creative solutions within a complex and international environment while working within an organizational framework that emphasizes compliance, ethics, best practices, and established standards.
                          • Shares information, advice, and suggestions to help others to be more successful; provides effective coaching.
                          • Serves as an expert to provide advice or solutions in their technical or functional area.
                          • Convenes groups or teams through the problem-solving and creative thinking processes, leading to the development and implementation of new approaches, systems, structures, and methods in a consortium environment.
                          • Involves team members in thought leadership discussions and decision making to lead to continued growth and development for team members and partners.
                          • Remains alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquires relevant knowledge and skills that will enable them to promote strong safeguarding practices, understands the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conducts themselves in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.Education and ExperienceBS/BA degree with a minimum of 9 years of experience in Safety and Security Management and Operations, Risk Management, or a related field.Must be proficient in Arabic and English. Preferred Education and ExperienceKnowledge of Syrian Kurdish is a plus.Prior working and living experience in Syria is highly desired.Type and Nature of ContactsRoutinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.Interacts with consortium members, their finance and logistics teams, and consortium management colleagues Working Conditions and Physical RequirementsThis position is based in Syria, where security conditions are highly volatile and may pose significant risks, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols.Must be able to travel domestically 30% and internationally 10% (primarily to other countries within the region for meetings and coordination)Supervisory and Budget ResponsibilityManages one or more direct reports and/or consultants and/or manages one functional area.As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Please see our website www.sfcg.org for full details of our work. All Search Employees must adhere to the values: Collaboration- Audacity - Tenacity - Empathy - Results. In accordance with these values, Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, and Anti-fraud. Search is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Search for Common Ground does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. View our code of conduct here and our privacy policy here.Les descriptifs de pouvant ne pouvant être exhaustifs, le titulaire du poste pourra être amené à entreprendre d'autres tâches qui correspondent globalement aux responsabilités clés ci-dessus. Seuls les candidats invités à un entretien seront contactés. Pas d'appels téléphoniques s'il vous plaît. Veuillez consulter notre site Web www.sfcg.org pour tous les détails de notre mission.Tous les employés de Search doivent adhérer aux valeurs de Search : Collaboration- Audace - Ténacité - Empathie - Résultats. Conformément à ces valeurs, Search fait respecter le code de conduite et les politiques connexes sur la lutte contre le harcèlement au travail, la protection contre l'exploitation et les abus, la protection des enfants, les conflits d'intérêts et la lutte contre la fraude. Search s'engage à préserver les intérêts, les droits et le bien-être des enfants, des jeunes et des adultes vulnérables avec lesquels elle est en contact et à mener ses programmes et ses opérations d'une manière qui soit sûre pour les enfants, les jeunes et les adultes vulnérables.Search for Common Ground ne fait pas et ne doit pas faire de discrimination fondée sur la race, la couleur, la religion (croyance), le sexe, l'expression de genre, l'âge, l'origine nationale (ascendance), le handicap, l'état matrimonial, l'orientation sexuelle ou le statut militaire, dans aucune de ses activités ou opérations.Consultez notre code de conduite ici et notre politique de confidentialité ici.Dado que la descripción de funciones no puede ser exhaustiva, el titular del puesto puede tener que realizar otras tareas que coinciden en líneas generales con las responsabilidades clave mencionadas.Sólo se contactará con los candidatos invitados a una entrevista. Se agradece no recibir llamadas telefónicas. Consulte nuestro sitio web www.sfcg.org para conocer todos los detalles de nuestro trabajo. Todos los empleados de Search deben adherirse a los valores de la organización: Colaboración - Audacia - Tenacidad - Empatía - Resultados. De acuerdo con estos valores, Search hace cumplir el Código de Conducta y las políticas relacionadas con luchar contra el acoso en el lugar de trabajo, la protección contra la explotación y el abuso, la protección de la infancia, los conflictos de intereses y la lucha contra el fraude. Search se compromete a salvaguardar los intereses, derechos y bienestar de los niños, jóvenes y adultos vulnerables con los que está en contacto y a llevar a cabo sus programas y operaciones de una manera que sea segura para los niños, jóvenes y adultos vulnerables. Search for Common Ground no discrimina ni discriminará por motivos de raza, color, religión (credo), género, expresión de género, edad, origen nacional (ascendencia), discapacidad, estado civil, orientación sexual o condición militar, en ninguna de sus actividades u operaciones. Consulte nuestro código de conducta aquí y nuestra política de privacidad aquí.