Director, Global Safety and Security

Counterpart International, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
Applications Close: 22 Mar 2013
Counterpart International is currently seeking a Director of Global Safety & Security. This position will be responsible for establishing and supporting the implementation of Counterpart’s operational standards for safety and security globally. The Director leads organisational efforts to promote staff safety and security,
asserting a global agenda that provides conceptual and technical leadership, promotes learning, mobilises and stewards resources and engages with the wider development community.
This is a full time position based in Arlington, VA. This position will report to the Senior Vice President, Programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide vision, leadership and training initiatives to organisational efforts that enhance staff safety and security while ensuring specific and defined mechanisms are in place to address safety and security risks to staff globally.
Establish, review and support implementation of safety and security procedures for Counterpart International globally, and facilitate collaboration with NGOs, other international organisations, government and other stakeholders.
Be available for immediate mobilisation to assess emergencies, identify safety and security aspects relating to program interventions, set-up security and communications support systems and communicate internally/externally.
Develop Organisational Safety and Security Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, and Review compliance making recommendations to correct deficiencies and provide quantitative/qualitative analysis and reports to senior management groups as required. Ensure that all organisational policies, procedures and practices are based on industry best practices.
Monitor, research and assess factors regarding safety and security of Counterpart International project offices and staff through the collection and analysis of security incident reports.
Maintain an around-the clock responsibility for monitoring global security conditions, with particular focus on the countries where Counterpart International has a presence. Anticipate and respond directly and proactively to staff who may be impacted by emerging events or conditions.
Liaise closely with the Senior Director for Risk Management to make recommendations to reduce safety and security related risk and, where necessary, undertake targeted technical assistance missions to project offices, prioritising those in high-risk contexts.
Provide direction and assistance to the Crisis Management Team on all safety and security issues during crisis periods and lead management of critical security incidents such as hostage events.
Provide leadership and direction for the management of strategic innovation, remaining aware of trends, analysis, studies and evaluations that will inform the organisation’s understanding of threats and/or develop effective practices to enhance organisational response to them.
Represent Counterpart in safety and security-related forums (such as InterAction) ensuring that we learn from best practices of other organisations and that Counterpart’s experience is strongly represented within our industry.
Provide support to proposal development teams as needed for safety and security assessments, preparation of security plans and security cost estimates.
Manage and provide direction to Security Associate, and provide guidance and support to field office-based Safety and Security Focal Points.

Qualifications:
At least 10 years of relevant experience, including 3 years of senior-level security experience which must have been in a safety and security management role, preferably with the UN or INGO.
Bachelor’s degree in development or security related discipline or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides a broad range of security related experiences.
2 years in an overseas posting (non-native country) with safety and security responsiblities, with at least 1 of these serving in a management capacity.
Superior knowledge of safety and security management, the issues related to the security and protection of NGO field workers, and legal protections/ rights of aid workers and the populations they assist.
Knowledge of grants management and donor-specific security concerns and requirements.
Proven ability to set strategic direction and develop operational plans.
Demonstrated success in the management and development of dispersed geographic and multi-disciplinary teams with the ability to catalyse and influence team members across functions and disciplines.
Demonstrated experience in capacity building of staff, including training, mentoring and coaching.
Excellent report writing, presentation, public speaking and interpersonal skills.
Organised team player, self-starter and results-oriented individual with demonstrated experience utilising a persuasive style of leadership.
Experience in researching and drafting organisational policy.
Experience with and ability to effectively manage dangerous, ambiguous, high-stress and high-stakes situations.
Strong computer skills, with familiarity in using Microsoft Office suite applications (particularly Word and PowerPoint).
French, Arabic, or Spanish language skills strongly preferred


How to apply:
Please visit http://counterpart.devhire.devex.com/jobs/326737 to apply for this position.

Counterpart have requested no calls or emails in relation to this position. Counterpart is an equal opportunities employer. Women, minorities, veterans and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.