Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison

Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison – Egypt Country Office TEAM/PROGRAMME: Director of Staff Safety Access and Liaison LOCATION: Cairo GRADE: National Executive POST TYPE: FTA

contract duration: 12 Months

Child Safeguarding:

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

The Director of Staff Safety Access and Liaison has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the workplace as well maintaining high quality contacts with key counterparts of Egypt government. This includes maintaining a secure environment for all staff members and programs. The Director will achieve this by developing, establishing, and enforcing safety and security policies as well as access procedures. Additionally, the Director will support risk management efforts, fire safety, emergency management and asset protection.

The Director is also responsible for coordinating, administering, and implementing comprehensive safety and security training. These trainings will cover occupational, sectoral, and environmental safety. In the event of any reported accidents, the Director will evaluate current best practices and recommend changes where necessary.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: The Country Director.

Dimensions: Save the Children works in 19 regions in Egypt with a current staff complement of approximately 290 staff and current expenditure of approximately 18 million each year.

Staff directly reporting to this post: 2

• Safety and Security Officer
• Government relations & Liaison Officer.

• Safety and Security Response senior officer

  As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:

· Leadership of the Egypt Country Office

· Senior level representation with Government, member, and donor stakeholders (when applicable)

· Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity, and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors.

· Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate needs.

· Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with host government authorities, donors, and local and international NGOs.

· Ensure that the required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Regional Office

· Oversight and Management of Safety & Security areas

· Lead, in collaboration with internal stakeholders the Save The Children mandate on business integration across Egypt’s SS elements.

· Conduct and document regular field visits to inform ways to improve the quality and impact of Safety & Security measures.

· Responsible for the preparation of timely and high-quality progress reports

· In excellent collaboration with SMT lead on delivering effective outcomes against funding objectives and strategies.

· Strengthen the Egypt Country Office (CO) organizational readiness to respond to emergencies in line with global Save the Children emergency S&S goal and benchmarks.

· In coordination with Country Director, maintain consistent and coherent engagement in key governmental and inter-agency emergency preparedness and response coordination mechanisms.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, your key areas of accountability

§ Lead as the Staff Safety and Access Coordinator in the leadership team.

§ Ensure that the Egypt Country Office complies with all Save the Children Staff Safety and Security Management Operating Standards and Standard Operating Procedures.

§ Ensure that all required safety support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, while working closely with the Regional Office

In your role as Access Liaison Officer with local and national authorities, you will:

§ Play a key role in efforts to facilitate principled engagement and strengthen partnerships with the government.

§ Support engagement and collaborative relationship-building between SCI and the relevant authorities, government ministries and administrations in Egypt.

§ Be responsible for maintaining, further developing, and growing SCI’s existing network and communication channels.

Regarding Staff Safety & Access Policies and Procedures, your responsibilities include:

§ Ensure timely review and updates of all Staff Safety, Security and Risk Management compliance documentation, including but not limited to; SSMP, IMP/ CMP, SOPs, GSS ES KPI-13, and PDI. This review should include staff training.

§ Collaborating with other functions, maintaining a country-wide Staff Safety and Access Management Plan that is consistent with the Humanitarian Security Strategies and Save the Children standards.

§ Ensuring that all staff understand the country-wide Safety plan and agree to abide by its policies and procedures.

§ Monitoring the environment and revising policies and procedures accordingly

§ Ensuring the quality and relevance of the area of Safety plans to the prevailing context

§ Undertaking reviews of policies and procedures and identifying opportunities to enhance staff safety.

Program Implementation:

§ Advise on safe movement and fleet management policies, conduct safety assessments, provide support to managers, ensure proper incident reporting, monitor events and report regularly to the senior management team.

Assessment and Analysis:

§ Assess and recommend changes to enhance staff safety assessments, threat analysis reviews, and safety policies for SC facilities. Report to the Country Director if inappropriate decisions create risks for the team or the organization's external perception.

Communication and Training:

§ As a safety measure, it is important to maintain regular communication with government officials, diplomats, and community leaders to gather and verify safety information. It is also essential to conduct awareness training for all staff and provide orientation for newly appointed personnel. Additionally, it is crucial to establish effective systems to disseminate staff safety information and updates.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development:

§ To effectively manage the performance of the Staff Safety & Access team, it is necessary to establish clear and measurable objectives, provide ongoing feedback, conduct periodic reviews, and carry out fair and unbiased evaluations. Additionally, it is important to offer coaching, mentoring, and other developmental opportunities to team members, identify individuals with high potential, and establish succession plans. It is also paramount to ensure accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct in all aspects of work.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

The role of Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison at Save the Children International necessitates a multifaceted skill set, including proficiency in Planning and Organising, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, and Technological Awareness. The candidate must excel in Planning and Organising by strategically implementing security measures aligned with the organization's mission.

Professionalism is paramount, demanding the highest ethical standards while managing security operations with integrity. Respect for Diversity is crucial, ensuring that security strategies are culturally sensitive and inclusive. In addition, possessing Technological Awareness is essential, enabling the Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison to leverage and stay abreast of the latest security technologies to enhance the organisation's protective measures. This holistic approach ensures that the Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison not only safeguards the mission and personnel but also integrates technology to fortify security efforts in an ever-evolving landscape.

Leadership - For the position of Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison at Save the Children International, we seek a candidate with distinct leadership competencies tailored to the unique demands of the role. The ideal candidate must showcase strategic acumen in formulating and executing security policies aligned with the organization's global standards. Exceptional interpersonal skills are essential for fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and for leading and motivating a diverse security team. Proficiency in crisis management and prompt decision-making is critical to respond effectively to unforeseen situations. The candidate should possess a keen understanding of risk assessment and mitigation, ensuring the safety of our personnel and program beneficiaries in challenging environments. Adaptability, cultural awareness, and a steadfast commitment to humanitarian principles are key attributes, that enable the Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison to adeptly address security challenges in diverse contexts while upholding the mission and values of Save the Children International.

Accountability is a crucial aspect of our work. To ensure we achieve our goals and uphold the values of Save the Children, we need to hold ourselves accountable for our decisions and resource management. This includes setting an example for others to follow and modelling the values we believe in. Furthermore, we need to hold our team and partners accountable for their responsibilities. It's important to give them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, while also providing the necessary training and development to improve their performance. If, however, they fail to achieve their responsibilities and goals, we must apply appropriate consequences.

Integrity is a quality that is essential in every aspect of life. It is characterized by honesty, transparency, and open-mindedness. It means being truthful, straightforward, and reliable in all your interactions. When you have integrity, you earn the trust and respect of others, and you are seen as someone who can be counted on to do what is right, even when it is difficult. So, it is important to cultivate integrity in all your words and actions.

Ambition -as part of your personal job description, you will be expected to exhibit strong motivation and a drive for success. Your responsibilities will include setting challenging goals for yourself and your team, taking ownership of your personal development, and inspiring and motivating others to do the same. Additionally, you will be expected to communicate your vision for the company compellingly and engagingly, while being forward-thinking and skilled in strategic planning with a focus on achieving long-term success.

Collaboration - it is crucial to establish and uphold strong connections with team members, colleagues, external partners, and supporters. Recognizing the value of diversity is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Additionally, possessing qualities such as approachability, active listening, and being easy to communicate with are necessary for success.

Creativity - Encourages and develops innovative solutions while taking disciplined risks.

QUALIFICATIONS

These qualifications collectively are aligned with GSS and Regional strategies and ensure that the Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison brings not only academic excellence but also practical expertise in security management, risk mitigation, and the development of a skilled and resilient security team.

• Advanced Academic Qualifications: Possession of a degree in Security and Risk Management, Crisis and Disaster Management, or a related field such as Security Management establishes a robust academic foundation conducive to informed and strategic decision-making.
• Professional Security Certification: Possession of formal security qualifications or advanced security management training from recognised institutions, demonstrating expertise in the latest security practices and methodologies.
• Risk Management Expertise: Certification as a Risk Management Professional, showcasing the candidate's proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks within diverse and dynamic environments.
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills: Proven experience in coaching and mentoring, fostering the professional development of security personnel and promoting a culture of continuous improvement within the security team.
• International Training Credentials: Certification in international training methodologies, reflecting the ability to develop and deliver effective security training programs in various cultural contexts, ensuring staff preparedness for diverse operational environments.

EXPERIENCE - Enhanced Experience Requirements for the Director of Staff Safety Access and Government Liaison Position:

• Comprehensive NGO Understanding: Demonstrated advanced comprehension of the philosophy and operational dynamics of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), emphasising a nuanced understanding of their unique challenges and missions.
• Thorough familiarity and practical experience operating within Egypt, including an in-depth grasp of the present Egyptian context.
• Extensive Leadership Experience: A minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles, particularly in complex and insecure settings across multiple countries, managing large teams of staff.
• Government and Institutional Liaison: Proven experience in effectively liaising with civilian, police, and military government authorities, as well as regional, national, and international institutions to navigate complex security landscapes.
• Incident Management Expertise: Proficiency in incident reporting, incident mapping, intelligence collation and analysis functions, including the establishment and execution of an incident warning system (warden system), and the compilation of detailed security reports and assessments.
• Strategic Analytical Skills: Strong analytical capacity, resourcefulness, and creativity in developing the role of security within programs, ensuring optimal support to line management.
• Balanced Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to balance the demands of beneficiaries and security actors while providing relevant and contextual NGO security advice and coordination.
• Interpersonal and Communication Prowess: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, encompassing influencing, negotiation, and coaching, essential for effective leadership and team collaboration.
• Cultural Competence: Highly developed cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively in an international environment with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Effective Presentation Skills: Ability to present complex information concisely and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional Planning and Coordination: Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to manage a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Adaptability and Emergency Response: Ability and willingness to significantly alter work practices and hours, collaborating with incoming surge teams in emergencies.
• Field Experience and Travel: Willingness to work and travel in challenging and insecure environments, reflecting a commitment to the hands-on nature of the role.
• Technical Proficiency: Competency in utilising Internet and Microsoft Office systems, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and other database/mapping systems.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and Arabic, written and spoken fluency of both is essential.

• Values Alignment: Commitment to upholding the values of Save the Children International.

  Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

JD written by: Egypt CD Date JD agreed by: Date Updated By: Egypt HR Date Evaluated: Date