Senior Security Advisor

About Afghanaid

Afghanaid is a British-registered international NGO, which has worked in Afghanistan for over 30 years. We assist community-driven processes that address the rights and fundamental needs of people in some of the most remote areas of Afghanistan, providing basic services, supporting development of rural livelihoods and responding to humanitarian emergencies. We are headquartered in Kabul, and operate 20 provincial and district offices across Badakhshan (north-eastern region), Samangan (northern region) and Ghor (western region), as well as a Marketing and Fundraising office in London. We employ around 160 personnel, 97% of whom are Afghans.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Managing Director, collaborating with the Head of Security and participating as a member of the Security Committee, the Senior Security Advisor will provide strategic and tactical security advise to the Afghanaid Security Team and Afghanaid as a whole. S/he will assess Afghanaid’s existing security framework, systems, protocols and practices while monitoring and analysing both gradually evolving and quick onset security and political/military developments across Afghanaid’s areas of operation. 

The Senior Security Advisor will recommend, plan and drive forward gender-sensitive, strategic and tactical adjustments to Afghanaid’s security systems, protocols and practices that lead to continual improvement and keep Afgahanaid, personnel, stakeholders, assets and reputation safe and secure. 

Duties & Responsibilities

•   Actively develop and maintain close, collaborative relationships with relevant Government departments and security focal points of other INGOs, NNGOs, UN, the private sector and other partners, allies and networks and work closely on security matters.

•   Regularly visit and coordinate Regional Security Advisors’ visits to Afghanaid’s areas of operation, incorporating attendance at INSO and other security agencies roundtables.

•   Actively develop formal and informal relationships with security-related actors and stakeholders to obtain timely information.

•   Conduct national, provincial and district level actor security mapping and analysis and continually monitor long-term and quick onset security and political/military developments

•   Regularly monitor, understand and assess Afghanaid’s security systems, protocols and practices; 

•   Prepare timely reports on all visits and assessments and work with the Head of Security to prepare the security section of the quarterly and annual Board of Trustees Reports

•   Proactively make strategic and tactical recommendations and plans for improvements and drive forward their implementation.

•   Participate in selection, setup and oversight of remote (or actual) radio room(s) and applicable standards and protocols   

•   Develop a system for and lead an annual (or earlier in the event of major security incidents) review of all security related policies, systems, SOPs/ protocols and staff capacities and in collaboration with the Head of Security, submit drafts of (a) annual security report (b) security risk matrix (c) annual security development plan and (d) annual security training plans to the Security Committee for submission to the Directors and the Board of Trustees.

•   Draft revisions to relevant security policies, protocols and forms as required; including but not limited to the security management plan, medevac plan, crisis management plan, evacuation and hibernation plan and procedures, contingency plans for special occasions (e.g. elections, deployment of armed forces in our programming areas, etc.)

•   Coordinate with the Head of Security to facilitate joint regular monthly (more frequently if required) security meetings with the provincial and district security focal points

•   Oversee coordination between Afghanaid provincial level security personnel and the regional security advisors to ensure quality daily situation and incident reports are received, and collaboratively assessed and that appropriate guidance and support is given.

•   Work with the Head of Security and security team to promote counter surveillance practices among all Afghanaid personnel and stakeholders, implement systems for reporting and analysis, and drive through appropriate counter measures.    

•   Actively plan for and participate in weekly security committee meetings and any crisis management committee meetings

•   Keep the Managing Director, Head of Security, Directors of Operations and Programmes and other key personnel apprised of any and all pending and emerging crises.

•   Participate in project assessments to existing and proposed areas of operation to give input into project design and development.

•   In collaboration with the Head of Security plan, prepare, coordinate and /or conduct relevant security inductions and training for new and existing personnel, visitors and consultants.

•   In the absence of the Head of Security, take on his/her work, especially managing movement of personnel and facility security in Kabul (and beyond). In advance of the Senior Security Advisor’s absence, handover pending tasks and responsibilities to the Head of Security.

•   Prepare regular written and verbal (including video) updates to Afghanaid staff on the evolving security environment and any changes in systems, protocols and practice.

•   Perform all other duties as required by the line manager (Managing Director) 

Job Requirements

Education/ Training

The position holder will ideally hold a Masters degree in risk and security management, conflict and security, international development business administration, or other relevant field, or a Bachelors degree with extensive relevant experience. 

Work Experience

•   In depth understanding and a minimum of 3 years working in risk and security management in the international humanitarian relief and/or development sectors, especially in Afghanistan 

•   Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan effectively, set priorities and meet deadlines in an emergency relief/ development context. 

•   Practical knowledge of policy analysis, development and advocacy, especially around conflict, risk, safety and security and gender.  

•   Excellent knowledge of international, national, regional and provincial level political and security situation of Afghanistan; ability analyse situations and draw conclusions of future developments.  

•   Broad understanding of international humanitarian and development work, including community infrastructure, natural resource management, livelihoods, agriculture, community development and governance, gender mainstreaming, disaster risk reduction and emergency responses.

•   Displayed ability in preparing well-organised, coherent reports, templates and other documents

•   Proven track record as an exceptional team player and leader, able to work well with people of different backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and ages.

•   Proven track record in leading change, motivating, mentoring, coaching and facilitating learning and development of colleagues and partners, including demonstrated ability to work with filed colleagues at a distance.  

•   Ability to represent a respected organization, find common ground and influence decisions

•   Experience and clear understanding of the challenges of working in partnerships and proven ability to build collaboration and trust with partners.

•   Good financial management experience, able to plan, control and manage budgets and cash flow. 

•   Good facilitation skills, able to plan and lead well organised, effective and time efficient meetings 

Desirable

•   Experience travelling, living, studying or working overseas

Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes

Afghanaid seeks dependable professionals with strong initiative, judgment and adaptability as well as excellent skills in leadership, communication, representation, interpersonal relations, decisionmaking, budgeting monitoring & evaluation and reporting. Specifically, applicants for this position should also demonstrate the following:

Essential:

•   High level of fluency in written and spoken English, Dari and Pashto and demonstrated ability to write and lay out high quality documents, presentations and reports for diverse audiences.

•   A clear and firm commitment to the rights, equality, role and empowerment of women, minorities and persons with disabilities. 

•   Excellent conceptual and analytical skills able to distil key ideas with clarity and precision.

•   Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuasively present ideas. 

•   Ability to lead and influence others with diplomacy and tact.

•   Proficiency in office software applications, including Excel, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. 

•   Personal integrity with initiative and drive to get things done and achieve results in a fast-paced and challenging      environment.

•   An outgoing and engaging personality, with cultural and gender sensitivity and a strong sense of humour; able to build trust, work collaboratively with others and manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders in a diverse multi-cultural environment.

•   Strong organisational and coordination skills, able to work with significant levels of autonomy, manage personal priorities and meet tight deadlines.

•   Business oriented with a commitment to build Afghanaid’s agility and grow its reputation. 

•   Flexible and dynamic with the ability to deal with difficult, often ambiguous and challenging situations and creatively solve problems.

•   Resilience to live, travel and work in isolated and possibly insecure locations.

•   Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

•   Commitment to the vision and mission of Afghanaid. 

Submission Guideline

Please email a covering letter of application and your CV to vacancies@afghanaid.org.uk including the job title and your name in the subject line by 13^th March 2021. Your covering letter should be no more than 2 standard A4 pages in length and explain how you meet the position requirements and why you feel you would be a suitable candidate for this role. Your CV should be no more than 4 pages and include 3 professional references including your current employer. The precision and style with which you present yourself in your covering letter and CV will be given significant weight in short listing candidates.  

Functional Area

Security/Safety

Countries

Submission Email

vacancies@afghanaid.org.uk

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