Job Description

JOB TITLE: Safety and Access Officer - SAO
LINE MANAGER JOB TITLE: Deputy Chief of Party
DEPARTMENT: Security and Risk
LOCATION: Aden, Yemen
DATE: 20 Sep 2024

ABOUT ARK:

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity, and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here:

https://www.ark.international/impact 

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The primary role of the Safety and Access Officer is a key member of ARK safety and security in Yemen. S/he will be responsible for multifaceted responsibilities and aspects of the overall safety and security of ARK sites, personnel, assets and projects activities. The post holder will be expected to conduct in-depth safety and security assessments with a gender-transformative approach, maintain a compliant performance to the country security management plan and ARK global safety and security standards. The desired profile is a disciplined professional who is highly aware of the country security context and the wider regional security situation, capable of recommending a course of action, experienced in incidents response and participates in the wider regional safety and security coordination meetings for ARK International, bringing an added value and anticipatory analysis of emerging risks and access challenges. S/he will also engage in INGO security cluster coordination and networking, report monthly on the security and context changes as well as review and the safety and security resources. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safety & Security Project Implementation (25%)

• Work with Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and other designated personnel to ensure coordination and compliance with the country specific Security Management Plan, policies, and procedures.
• Advise the D/COP and oversee the day-to-day conduct of project security, ensuring preparation of adequate responses to security incidents as well as natural and manmade disasters.
• Devise, advise and implement access procedures for offices and international residences. 
• Review weekly staff travel and movements schedules and projected travel itineraries to identify potential access, security and safety challenges or changes. 
• Send updated prearrival security package to visiting staff and partners, conduct on-arrival security briefings and run the dynamic risk assessment for the planned visit schedule. 
• Serve as in country emergency point of contact for staff visiting from ARK regional hub or HQ.
• Maintain proactive and frequent security and safety alerts/information to ARK staff in Yemen. Update and administer the MS Teams/WA security groups and disseminate global security guidance as needed.
• Prepare and update the evacuation and hibernation plans with the Global Safety and security Manager. 

Incident and Crisis Management (5%)

• Initiate emergency response actions in the event of an emergency, direct or indirect threat.
• Serve as advisor to the Incident Management Team as well as each project office Incident Response Team (IMT).
• Coordinate all safety and security actions between ARK projects in the event of a major incident or crisis. 
• Assist the DCOP and the GSSM in the investigation/negotiation in incidents and crisis response. 
• Document and maintain incidents reporting and after action procedures for further analysis and improvement of the security risk mitigation strategies

Analysis (10%)

• Regular evaluation of the situation, flag potentially dangerous situations and significant deterioration to the GSSM and the Deputy Chief of Party.
• Review and advise the levels of security regarding acceptable tensions levels, precautionary measures to be adopted, and restrictions in movement, relocation, or evacuation of personnel.
• Provide the periodical Sitreps on safety/security related crises or emergencies with impact at the country level and specific focus on ARK project areas. 
• Monitor local mainstream media, online social media platforms, run OSINT triangulation and pinpoint trends, messaging and announcements of security concern. 
• Help identify misinformation and disinformation campaigns and advise the DCOP and the GSSM for clarification and alerting staff and partners. 

Document & Security Reporting (10%)

• Develops, reviews and/or edits area specific threat/risk assessment protocols, including threat/risk assessment indictors, travel recommendations during a permissive environment, uncertain environment, and a hostile environment, concerning ARK`s daily activities for office and field staff.
• Coordinates revisions of project specific Security Situation Plan, Contingency Plans and Risk Roadmaps on a monthly and quarterly basis or more frequently as required.
• Maintains and updates all ARK office contingency planning material, reference documents and annexes on an annual basis. 
• Advises DCOP to ensure budgetary requirements for safety and security are prioritized and implemented across all projects. 
• Provide regular audit of security and safety procedures within project locations.
• Contribute to the projects donor reports in the areas of the safety and security risk management, under the guidance of the DCOP and the GSSM. 

Access Management and Actors Mapping (10%)

• Assess and identify access barriers, profiles-specific risks and recommend the mitigation measures to the GSSM and the DCOP.
• Update and map the active actors and stakeholders and advise on local access and negotiations best practices. 
• Ensure that staff and visitors are aware of specific norms and values and advise the GSSM and the DCOP to position ARK security posture accordingly. 
• Coordinate contacts with local authorities, law enforcement, diplomatic/international organizations, and private security officers in close consultation with the DCOP and the Liaison Officer. 

ARK Premises and vehicles Safety/Security Oversight (20%)

• Monitor and review the premises physical protection measures and ensure that ARK sites visibility is aligned with the security strategy.  
• Under the direct approval from the COP and the DCOP, Review and retrieve the security cameras records for analysis or investigations, with the technical supervision of the GSSM.  
• Update the site safety and security checklist and implement the improvement actions and measures. 
• Supervise the security company and establish security coordination mechanisms with their HQ for wider security awareness, alerts and incidents. 
• Frequently check the identified protection measures in the office and ensure that they are fit for purpose and maintained (ex: locks, bars, keys and spare keys, CCTV, access controls).  
• Assign the Geo-Fencing for vehicles at the office and at the project sites, monitor any deviations and implement the corrective actions. 
• Advise and brief the drivers on ARK vehicles safety and security standards and ensure that the drivers are aware of safe roads and situationally-aware in transport emergencies in the field. 

Occupational Health and Safety (20%)

• Develop and update the premises safety plans, including firefighting plans, detection and protection measures. Post the emergency evacuation plans and directions in visible points. 
• Update the emergency evacuation plan and conduct evacuation drills on a frequent basis as guided by the security plan. 
• Supervise the preventive and reactive maintenance of the firefighting equipment, CO & smoke detectors. Ensure there are an active maintenance service plan in place. 
• Train staff on fire safety and fire equipment use, evacuation planning and drills with the help of the GSSM. 
• Conduct frequent occupational health and safety inspections at ARK premises, inform the office managers / administrators to take the appropriate corrective action. 
• Ensure that the first aid kits are allocated, checked periodically, and replenished frequently. 
• Follow up on the approved first aid and security training plans, ensure that staff are taking the mandatory and the recommended trainings and run exercises when needed.   
• Lead the fire warden team and ensure readiness capacity to address different health and safety emergencies. 
• Ensure that the generator/s and power backup systems are in good condition and initiate preventive maintenance and safety inspections. 

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

Essential: 

• First University degree in a related field (i.e.: international relations, Business Administration, Arts, etc..).
• Security Risk Assessment experience in Yemen, particularly Southern Yemen. 
• Proficiency in safety and access management tools and digital resources such as Excel trackers, incident reporting, and security sitreps. 
• Experience implementing gender in security and awareness of individual risk profiles. 
• Experience in implementing health and safety measures on working sites and in the field. 
• Excellent user of MS Office and cloud resources including SharePoint and MS Teams. 
• In-depth knowledge of the operating environment and working sites. 
• Good security network and peers across Yemen.
• Excellent English language skills.

Desirable 

• Advanced safety and security training certification (HEAT, FAST, HEFA) 
• Humanization Negotiation Certification i.e.: CCHN  
• Specific Security Certification, i.e., INSSA SRMP-C, IFRC security manager Level 3, or similar. 
• OSINT certification is highly desirable but not mandatory, candidate willingness to learn and advance their knowledge is advantageous.  
• Knowledge of deconfliction systems, practices and mechanisms. 
• Aware of digital security systems use (CCTV, Radio, GPS, power backup systems). 
• Working experience/exposure to UNDSS and UNHAS in Yemen.

MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY:

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Our People 

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is: 

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise our limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together, and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is thus committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related-personnel are expected to share this commitment, and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.