Safety and Security Officer
On-siteAbuja, FCT, Nigeria
Job Summary
Monitor security developments in Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina to assess risks, movement restrictions, and civil unrest, then provide actionable recommendations for operational planning and access decisions. Draft, review, and update security management documents including SOPs, contingency plans, and movement procedures while maintaining centralized filing and version control. Conduct field security assessments and audits across project locations to advise teams on risk mitigation, and support staff movements by selecting routes, timings, and communication protocols. Manage incident response by coordinating immediate actions, documenting events, and leading after-action reviews to refine protocols. Deliver security briefings and refresher coaching to staff, visitors, and partners to promote situational awareness and compliance with organizational policies. Collaborate with country focal points, local authorities, and UN/INGO coordination forums to maintain working relationships and support safe program delivery in complex environments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in a security, humanitarian, development or discipline related field
- four (4) years of paid work experience in the same field in lieu of a bachelor's degree
- 5+ years' experience in security, access, security risk advisory or operational support roles in complex, fragile or conflict-affected environments
- Demonstrated experience in contextual security risk assessments, incident reporting, and coordination of responses to security emergencies
- Previous experience with an INGO, humanitarian agency or development organization
- Experience supporting movement planning and security coordination in environments affected by armed violence, access restrictions, civil unrest or kidnapping risk
- Demonstrated ability to conduct structured security risk assessments, maintain incident records, and support first-hour incident response, escalation and After-Action Reviews
- Strong skills in analysing political, social and conflict dynamics in northern Nigeria and translating them into clear, practical guidance for movement, access and program planning
- Proven capacity to draft, update and operationalise security plans, SOPs and contingency procedures, ensuring documentation is practical, field-focused and regularly reviewed
- Experience planning and advising on safe staff and vehicle movements (routes, timings, communications, tracking) in high-risk or access-constrained environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce concise security reports and deliver engaging briefings to diverse audiences
- Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with authorities, security actors, coordination forums, community leaders and partners to support safe access and incident response
- Strong commitment to applying organizational security policies, maintaining personal resilience in demanding contexts, and integrating cultural/gender sensitivity into security practice
- Superior communication skills (verbal and written)
- Fluent written and spoken English
- Knowledge of Hausa and the local language
- Regular travel within Nigeria, including to remote and high-risk locations
- Flexibility to work irregular hours and provide support in emergency situations, including evenings, weekends and public holidays
- Nigerian nationals only
- Consent to reference checks being conducted with previous employers
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in contextual security risk assessments, incident reporting, and coordination of responses to security emergencies
- Previous experience with an INGO, humanitarian agency or development organization
- Experience supporting movement planning and security coordination in environments affected by armed violence, access restrictions, civil unrest or kidnapping risk
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